Group of students wearing masks standing on building steps

ABERDEEN, S.D. – A new collaborative program between Northern State University and the University of South Dakota will guarantee admission for five NSU Honors Program students into the USD Knudson School of Law.

The Honors Law Opportunity Program, which started this spring, aims to help grow the number of committed, talented lawyers in northeast South Dakota.

“This is a magnificent opportunity for students in the NSU Honors Program who are interested in pursuing a career in the legal field,” said Honors Program Director Dr. Kristi Bockorny. “Our newly created partnership with the Knudson School of Law is one we will continue to build upon, and together we will be able to help students achieve their goal of working in the legal setting and filling a workforce need for South Dakota.”

To qualify for the Honors Law Opportunity Program, Northern students must:

  • Be admitted into the NSU Honors Program
  • Have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.5 and ACT score in the 80th percentile (26 or above on the ACT or SAT equivalent)
  • Demonstrate strong academic achievement and a personal commitment to building South Dakota communities

Scholarship Available

An additional benefit of the Honors Law Opportunity Program: Students who are selected and score a 150 or higher on the LSAT will receive a $2,500 scholarship to USD School of Law.

Apply Now

Applications for the Honors Law Opportunity Program are due March 15. For more information, contact Bockorny at Kristi.Bockorny@northern.edu.

About the NSU Honors Program

The NSU Honors Program began in 1983 and has risen to national recognition. To graduate In Honoribus, students are required to complete an original Honors thesis and pass an oral defense in front of faculty. Northern Honors students have had success presenting that thesis research nationally, with students placing at the National Collegiate Honors Conference four times in recent years. To learn more, visit NSU Honors Program.

About Northern State University

Northern State University is a student-centered institution that provides an outstanding educational experience, preparing students through the liberal arts and professional education for their future endeavors. A regional university, Northern offers rigorous academics; diverse civic, social and cultural opportunities; and a commitment to building an inclusive environment for all points of view. Northern also offers a broad-based athletics program, sponsoring 15 NCAA Division II intercollegiate varsity sports that compete in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (NSIC). The university strives to enrich the community through partnerships such as its Educational Impact Campaign, which opened a new South Dakota School for the Blind and Visually Impaired; new athletic and recreation fields; and, soon, an on-campus regional sports complex. With the $55 million campaign, NSU has been the recipient of more than $120 million in privately funded building projects and scholarships within a decade. To learn more, visit NSU Admissions