亚洲AV

Mason student trailblazes a fast track to law school

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Ghazal Khammash may not know exactly what she wants to do with her law degree yet, but she鈥檚 still ahead of the curve.

As the first student enrolled in 亚洲AV鈥檚听, which allows students to earn both their undergraduate degree and law degree in six years instead of seven, she鈥檚 saving a year鈥檚 worth of time and tuition.

Ghazal Khammash poses in front of Arlington Campus.
Ghazal Khammash is the first student enrolled in 亚洲AV's 3+3 program, which allows students to earn a bachelor's degree and a law degree in 6 years instead of 7. Photo by Mariam Aburdeineh.

鈥淚鈥檓 really eager to finish my education and [go to] work,鈥 said Khammash, who recently earned her bachelor鈥檚 in听听and is now enrolled as a first-year law student. 鈥淪ix years and seven years鈥攖hose are two very different numbers. Being able to get out and do what I want to do sooner makes a world of difference.鈥

For Khammash, that difference includes being able to graduate early, get a job sooner, pay off her student loans faster and help support her family financially.

鈥淲e started the program within Mason in 2014 as a way to address the rising cost of education,鈥 said Alison Price, senior associate dean at Mason鈥檚听听. 鈥淔or students who know as they enter their undergraduate education that their ultimate goal is a law degree鈥 [3+3] is the fast track to a law degree.鈥

Between her full-time classes and part-time job at a local law firm, Khammash is working hard but said she isn鈥檛 overwhelmed. She didn鈥檛 find herself having to study longer hours than her peers as an undergraduate student, either. For motivated students, the process really is as simple as three plus three.

鈥淵ou get your major requirements [for your undergraduate degree] done within your first three years, and [during your senior year] you鈥檙e double-dipping with your first year of law school,鈥 Khammash explained.

And there鈥檚 no issue if students decide to change career paths.

鈥淚f the student gets to the traditional fourth鈥攐r senior year鈥攁nd decides the program is not for them, then they simply take a full load of electives,鈥 said Price.听鈥淭hey are not bound to enter law school; it is just an option.鈥

Khammash is learning a lot in the classroom and at her job. Seeing her working toward her law degree at the young age of 20 inspired one of her coworkers to attend law school as well.

鈥淭hat makes me so happy,鈥 she said. 鈥淚 feel like, if more people know about the [3+3] program, they will [be inspired], too.鈥

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