Cheyney University Law School Partnerships
Widener Law School
Students at Cheyney University may access express admissions, joint admissions and scholarships at Widener Law’s Harrisburg Campus through the PASSHE Partnership Program. This innovative agreement streamlines the admissions process, provides insight into the legal profession, and provides scholarships.
Express Admission Program
Cheyney graduates are eligible to apply under the Express Admissions Program. Students are guaranteed admission to Widener Law in Harrisburg if they:
- Submit a completed application no later than April 1 of the calendar year in which the student plans to begin legal study.
- Satisfy Widener Law’s admission requirements relating to character and fitness.
- Rank in the top 50 percent of the graduating class.
- Score at or above the 50th percentile on the LSAT.
To receive the J.D. degree, students must complete 88 credits at Widener University School of Law in Harrisburg.
3+3 Early Admissions/Joint Program
Cheyney students are eligible to earn both a bachelor’s degree and a Juris Doctor degree in six years, instead of the usual seven years. Cheyney students must:
- Complete 75% of their bachelor’s degree requirements and obtain prior approval from Cheyney to use course credits earned at Widener Law in Harrisburg for their remaining degree requirements.
- Attain a cumulative grade point average of 3.3 or higher the semester prior to applying to Widener Law in Harrisburg.
- Submit a completed application no later than April 1 of the calendar year in which the student plans to begin legal studies. Students who apply after April 1 will be considered on a space available basis.
- Provide letters of recommendation, including a personal statement.
- Score at or above the 50th percentile on the LSAT.
Attendance at Widener Law will fulfill the student’s remaining requirements to earn the appropriate bachelor’s degree at Cheyney. Students must attend on a full-time basis for the first year or until they receive their bachelor’s degree. At that time, they may elect to continue on either a full-time basis or part-time basis. The bachelor’s degree will be awarded from Cheyney University and the J.D. from Widener University School of Law.
Dixon Scholarships
Students who are admitted to the Express Admissions Program or the 3+3 Early Admissions/Joint Degree Program at Widener Law are eligible for one of four Dixon Scholarships availble annually to Cheyney University students.
Students receiving scholarships will be designated Dixon Scholars in recognition of the contributions to higher education in Pennsylvania of F. Eugene Dixon, Jr. Scholarships apply to fall and spring semesters only.
Vermont Law School Affiliation Agreement.
This relationship was established to facilitate admission of qualified Cheyney University students to Vermont Law School. The agreement offers an array of opportunities to gain information related to successful law school admission, to participate in the pre-law summer program, and, for students successfully admitted to the law school, to receive scholarships. Students must meet the admission requirements for Vermont Law School, and scholarships will range from $5,000 to full tuition for attendance. Scholarship offers are made by Vermont Law School, and students should carefully review any offers made to determine the details of the award and its requirements.
Bond Hill Affiliated Schools
Through the Horace Mann Bond-Leslie Pinckney Hill Scholarship Program, eligible Cheyney University students may receive a full tuition scholarship, as well as books and fee-waivers, from Penn State University, the University of Pittsburgh and Temple University.
Criteria include:
- Pennsylvania residency (US citizenship/Permanent residency)
- Admission into a Bond Hill Program within 5 years of graduation from Cheyney University 3.00 cumulative grade point average
- Full-time enrollment in the graduate program