In a groundbreaking initiative aimed at streamlining legal education, Alabama State University and Faulkner University held a joint news conference on September 24. The presidents of both institutions signed an articulation agreement that will allow undergraduate students at ASU to earn both a bachelor’s degree and a Juris degree in just six years. Traditionally, students pursuing both degrees would require a minimum of seven years to complete their studies.
The agreement was formalized by ASU President Dr. Quinton T. Ross, Jr., and Faulkner President Dr. Mitchell Henry, who signed the document before a crowd of enthusiastic students and academic representatives from both universities. This collaboration between ASU and Faulkner’s Thomas Goode Jones School of Law marks a significant advancement in educational opportunities for students aspiring to enter the legal profession.
“It is an honor today to stand before you on the cusp of our signing this legal document between our two outstanding institutions of higher education,” stated President Ross. “Today, we advance ASU’s mission of providing excellence, research, and service so as to develop our students to become global change-agents and create within them a positive ‘CommUniversity’ atmosphere, which supports one and all.”
Joining the presidents at the conference were Dr. Carl Pettis, ASU’s provost and vice president of Academic Affairs; Dr. Charles Campbell, dean of Faulkner’s Jones School of Law; and Dr. Tanjula Petty, ASU’s vice president for institutional effectiveness, strategic initiatives, and transformation, who played pivotal roles in orchestrating the agreement.
President Henry expressed pride in collaborating with ASU, noting its historic legacy and impressive alumni. “With this agreement that we have consummated today, we expect that your students who will be a part of this new program to continue making history for your university,” said Henry.
