Wartburg College students interested in a law degree soon will be able to get on a fast track thanks to a partnership with the University of Iowa College of Law.
Wartburg will offer a new “3+3” cooperative program beginning with its Fall Term, enabling students to begin law school at Iowa after three years if they’ve met the necessary requirements, including the required Law School Admission Test score.
First-year courses at Iowa would count as credits at Wartburg, so law school students would graduate with their Wartburg class after beginning the three-year law school curriculum.
“We would be providing an alternative way of completing a Wartburg College degree and law school combined in six years, instead of seven,” said Dr. Mark Biermann, Wartburg College dean of the faculty. “It’s a huge cost savings, plus the graduates would be out in the job market sooner, which is an added value.”
“We are excited and proud to have Wartburg College as a partner institution to launch our new 3+3 program,” said Gail Agrawal, dean of the University of Iowa College of Law. “From our past experience with Wartburg graduates, we know its students have the rigorous intellectual foundation and leadership skills that enable them to excel in law school.”
Karen Thalacker — Wartburg’s pre-law adviser and senior lecturer in law — said students with any major can pursue the 3+3 program, but law-related courses are encouraged.
“We believe the best way to prepare our students for law school and the legal profession is to provide a top-notch liberal arts education,” said Thalacker, a practicing attorney and Bremer County magistrate. “We want them to study what they are most passionate about, while also focusing on critical thinking, written and oral communication, and leadership skills.”
Admission, she added, will be based on the LSAT score, GPA and the overall application to the law school, which includes “character and fitness” approval.
Thalacker said the college is committed to preparing students for the law school admissions process “whether it’s individual meetings to discuss grades and courses, trips to visit laws schools or an on-campus LSAT preparation class.”
Wartburg also has a pre-law club advised by Thalacker called the Spalatin Society, named after George Spalatin, a 16th century legal adviser to Frederick the Wise of Saxony in Germany, who advocated providing protection for his friend Martin Luther at the Wartburg Castle.