FITCHBURG — Fitchburg State University and the University of Massachusetts Law School have signed a first-of-its kind agreement that will allow students to earn their bachelor and law degrees in six years instead of seven.

The agreement was signed Wednesday by FSU President Robert V. Antonucci and UMass Law School Dean Mary Lu Bilek and is the first of its kind between the law school and a state university.

Under the agreement, qualifying students will be able to complete three years of study toward a bachelor degree at FSU before proceeding directly to UMass Law in Dartmouth, where they will simultaneously complete their bachelor degree and a three-year juris-doctor degree program.

“This agreement is about institutional collaboration that puts students first,” Antonucci said. “We are opening doors that will bring affordable, high-quality law degrees within reach of our students.”

He said the more the different institutions of public higher education in Massachusetts can work together, the better off students will be.

“It’s also a financial incentive for students,” Antonucci said. “If they work hard, keep their grades up, they can reduce their entire debt and financial obligation by an entire year. It makes a significant difference.”

Bilek said she wants area students to be aware there is a public law school available for them, and is excited about this opportunity.

“We want the kind of student that gets on a path and stays on a path, knows what they want to do, goes after it,” she said.

Bilek said such a person “has the habits and values that lawyers need.”

“They’re self-intentional, they’re prepared, they’re disciplined, they’re motivated,” she said.

“The beneficiaries of our signatures will be all of the students who take advantage of this opportunity,” Antonucci said as the agreement was signed.

“And their future clients,” Bilek added.

Paul Weizer, interim vice president for academic affairs, said the three-plus-three program will guarantee qualifying students admission to UMass Law, which “takes a lot of the angst out of the law school application process.”

“We are the first state university to have reached such an agreement with them,” Weizer said. “I’m sure we will not be the last, but I’m glad we got here when we did and we’re going to be able to start immediately providing those opportunities for students entering this fall.”

“I wish this program were in existence 30 years ago when I was in school,” said FSU Board of Trustees Chairwoman Carol Vittorioso, who is also a lawyer. “I think it’s a fantastic opportunity, especially for first-generation students.”

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