The BA in Ethical Leadership + JD accelerated pathway prepares students to become principled legal professionals who lead with integrity, judgment, and purpose. By intentionally integrating ethical leadership studies with legal education, the program equips students with a strong moral framework, advanced critical thinking skills, and a deep understanding of values-based decision-making—competencies that are increasingly essential in today’s complex legal, corporate, and public service environments. Students gain early exposure to legal reasoning while developing the interpersonal, organizational, and ethical competencies that distinguish trusted leaders from technical experts.
Designed for motivated students, this streamlined program reduces time to graduation and cost while expanding impact and career readiness. Graduates emerge uniquely positioned to serve as ethical advocates, policymakers, and leaders across law, business, healthcare, government, and nonprofit sectors. Anchored in the Institute for Ethical Leadership’s mission, the program fosters character, accountability, and social responsibility—preparing graduates not only to practice law, but to shape institutions, influence policy, and lead meaningful change with credibility and conscience.
Students in the 3+3 BA in Ethical Leadership + JD program complete undergraduate coursework toward the Bachelor of Arts in Ethical Leadership over three consecutive years and must successfully complete all required undergraduate courses. After being admitted to law school, the courses taken during the first year of law school count toward the completion of the remaining bachelor’s degree requirements.
To participate in this accelerated program, students must declare their enrollment in the 3+3 BA in Ethical Leadership + JD program when they are admitted to St. Thomas University as first-year freshmen. Undergraduate students who do not declare the 3+3 program upon admission as first-year freshmen to STU are not eligible to transfer into the program later. Students must maintain a competitive GPA and demonstrate a sustained interest in ethical leadership and the study of law. In addition, students must complete all required undergraduate coursework in Ethical Leadership and meet all law school admission standards, including published GPA and LSAT requirements, before advancing to law school. Students must remain in good academic and disciplinary standing and comply with all program-specific and university-wide requirements throughout the duration of the program.
The BA in Ethical Leadership + JD accelerated pathway leads to a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Ethical Leadership degree and a Juris Doctor (JD) degree
