Gavin Howe
Online legal education is on the rise, and there are now several options for earning a law degree online. While the value of an online law degree in the job market is still untested, there are benefits to online learning, such as flexibility and lower costs. In the US, programmatic accreditation from the American Bar Association (ABA) is crucial if you plan to become a lawyer, as most states require you to hold a law degree from an ABA-accredited institution to qualify for the state bar exam. Several ABA-accredited law schools now offer hybrid or fully online programs, and there are also state-accredited options available.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Online law degree providers | Purdue Global Law School, St. Mary's Law, Southwestern Law School, UNH Franklin Pierce School of Law |
| Degree type | J.D. (Juris Doctor) |
| Mode of learning | Online with optional in-person elements |
| Cost | Generally lower than traditional law schools |
| Curriculum | Real curriculum, with assignments and tests |
| Faculty | Real professors |
| Student experience | Access to faculty, alumni, and student organizations; externships, pro bono activities, and experiential learning opportunities |
| Accreditation | ABA-approved |
| Bar exam eligibility | Graduates may be eligible to sit for the bar exam in certain states |
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What You'll Learn
Online law degree costs
While it is possible to obtain a law degree online, it is important to note that this route may limit your ability to sit for the bar in some states. Most states require applicants to hold a degree from a law school that meets acceptable established educational standards.
The cost of obtaining an online law degree varies depending on the institution and program. Tuition fees for online law degrees can range from the average tuition for a resident full-time student at an ABA-approved program, to the significantly higher costs associated with Ivy League universities. For example, the average tuition and fees paid by law students in 2020 were around $36,700, while private law schools can cost around $56,000 per year or $168,000 for three years.
Some universities, such as Purdue Global Law School, offer tuition reductions for certain groups such as federal and state government employees, Purdue alumni, active-duty service members, veterans, military spouses, and Indiana residents. St. Mary's Law, which offers an online J.D. program, charges online students the current part-time tuition rate.
It is worth noting that online learning may offer cost savings in other areas, such as avoiding moving, commuting, or living on-campus expenses. Additionally, many law students receive scholarships or grant funding, and some universities offer accelerated dual degree programs that can reduce overall education costs.
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Online law degree curriculum
Yes, you can earn a law degree online. Online law degree programs are designed for working adults or those who cannot attend classes on campus. These programs offer the same quality teaching, student services, and community as their in-person counterparts.
The curriculum for an online law degree will vary depending on the institution, but there are some common themes. For example, the online J.D. program at St. Mary's Law is designed to teach students the foundations of substantive law and the applications of legal writing and analysis. The first-year curriculum consists of 50% synchronous and 50% asynchronous teaching methods, with upper-level courses offered as a combination of both or fully asynchronously. Students at St. Mary's Law can also take advantage of resources such as career counselling, academic advising, and student services.
Similarly, Purdue Global Law School, the first online law school, offers high-quality law degree programs that feature the latest innovations in online learning, affordable tuition, and expert-led courses. Their graduates are academically eligible to sit for the California, Connecticut, or Indiana bar exams.
Other institutions, such as Southwestern Law School, offer online J.D. programs that provide direct access to one of the nation's largest externship networks, allowing students to gain hands-on legal experience. Their commitment to experiential learning includes clinical programs where students can gain practical lawyering skills while providing legal representation to under-represented individuals and organizations.
Additionally, the UNH Franklin Pierce School of Law offers a Hybrid JD program with a specialized focus on Intellectual Property, Technology, and Information Law, or Health and Life Sciences Law. This program is designed for professionals in technology, IP, healthcare, life sciences, and related fields, allowing them to complete their law degrees primarily online with required immersion periods held across the United States.
While online law degree programs offer flexibility and accessibility, it is important to note that they may have limitations on an individual's ability to sit for the bar examination in certain states. It is crucial to check the specific requirements of the state bar association in the desired jurisdiction.
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Online law degree schools
Yes, you can earn a law degree online. Several law schools offer online and hybrid Juris Doctor (JD) programs that are approved by the American Bar Association (ABA). These programs provide flexibility for students who cannot attend classes on campus or enrol full-time.
- St. Mary's University School of Law: St. Mary's offers a fully online JD program accredited by the ABA. The curriculum covers substantive law, legal writing, and analysis, and students have the option to take in-person courses. The program provides access to career counselling, academic advising, and other resources.
- UNH Franklin Pierce School of Law: This school offers a hybrid JD program with a focus on Intellectual Property, Technology, Information Law, or Health & Life Sciences Law. Students complete their degrees primarily online, with required immersion periods held across the United States.
- Other ABA-approved law schools with distance education JD programs include Arizona State University Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law, Case Western Reserve University School of Law, Cleveland State University College of Law, and more.
It is important to note that earning a JD degree online may have limitations on your ability to sit for the bar exam in some states. Most states require graduates to apply for bar admission through a state board of bar examiners, and the criteria for eligibility vary. Therefore, it is recommended to check with the specific state board of bar examiners to ascertain any limitations.
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Online law degree requirements
While it is possible to obtain a law degree online, there are some limitations to what you can do with it. Firstly, it is important to note that the criteria for eligibility to take the bar examination vary from state to state in the US. While earning a Juris Doctor (JD) degree online may provide you with the necessary academic credentials, your ability to practice law will depend on your state's requirements.
To practice law in the United States, almost all law school graduates must apply for bar admission through a state board of bar examiners. Most states require applicants to hold a degree from a law school that meets acceptable established educational standards. While some online law schools are ABA-approved, it is essential to confirm that your chosen program meets the requirements for bar admission in your state.
Several ABA-approved law schools offer online or hybrid JD programs. These programs are designed to provide a quality educational experience equivalent to their in-person counterparts. They typically include a planned curriculum that covers the foundations of substantive law, legal writing, and analysis. Some programs may also offer opportunities for externships, pro bono activities, and non-clinical experiential learning.
It is important to carefully review the specific requirements, accreditation, and limitations of your chosen online law degree program to ensure it aligns with your career goals and meets the necessary standards for bar admission in your desired jurisdiction.
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Online law degree experiential learning
While online law degrees are available, they are not yet widely recognised. In the United States, for example, most states require law graduates to hold a degree from a school that meets acceptable established educational standards. As such, it is important to research the specific requirements of the state in which you intend to practice law.
That being said, several online and hybrid Juris Doctor (J.D.) programs are offered by ABA-approved law schools. These include St. Mary's Law, which offers a curriculum designed to teach the foundations of substantive law and the applications of legal writing and analysis. The online cohort is capped at 25 students to ensure a quality educational experience. Students are also invited to participate in on-campus activities and are encouraged to complete externships, pro bono activities, and non-clinical experiential learning.
Harvard Law School also offers online programs, providing access to the same faculty expertise and opportunities to engage with peers as their on-campus programs, with the added flexibility of a virtual classroom.
The UNH Franklin Pierce School of Law offers a hybrid J.D. program with a specialised focus on Intellectual Property, Technology, and Information Law, or Health & Life Sciences Law. This program is designed for professionals in technology, IP, healthcare, life sciences, and related fields.
Experiential learning is a key component of a complete legal education, bringing the law to life by combining traditional classroom methods with practical applications. Boston College Law School, for example, offers a diverse set of experiential learning opportunities, including classroom, clinical, and off-campus legal practice settings. These programs are designed to promote the development of legal and ethical judgment, as well as essential practice skills. Experiential learning at Boston College begins in the first year, with six credits dedicated to experiential learning. In their second year, students test their appellate skills through the Wendell F. Grimes Intramural Moot Court competition, which can lead to placements on national moot court and mock trial teams in their third year.
Columbia Law School also offers experiential learning opportunities through clinics, externships, simulations, policy labs, and workshops. These programs allow students to work on behalf of real clients and gain experience as counsellors, mediators, litigators, advocates, and educators.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can get a law degree online. There are many institutions that offer online law degrees, such as Purdue Global Law School, which is a state-accredited online law school in California.
You can get a Juris Doctor (JD) degree online. This is the primary academic credential associated with law school.
Online law degrees offer flexibility, allowing you to earn a law degree at your own pace and often at a lower cost than traditional law schools. They also provide working adults with the opportunity to advance their careers without having to attend classes in person.
The value of an online law degree in the job market is still untested. Additionally, online programs may not offer the same experiential learning opportunities and real-life interactions as traditional in-person programs, which can be important for a career in law.
