Keith Mack
While there are several options for studying law online, including MOOCs, LSAT prep courses, and online certificates, the American Bar Association does not currently accredit any fully online J.D. programs. However, a few blended or partially online J.D. programs are available. Self-study of law can be a viable option for those interested in the field but unable to attend law school or those considering law school in the future. While it may be challenging to practice law solely through self-study, it is possible to become a lawyer in the United States without a traditional law degree by pursuing apprenticeships or alternative paths to the bar exam.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Online law degrees | The American Bar Association does not accredit any fully online J.D. programs, but there are a few options to earn a J.D. in a blended, or partially online format. |
| Online courses | EdX, for example, offers MOOCs with higher education institutions that students can audit for free. |
| LSAT prep online | 7Sage offers a program costing $179 for three months of access that includes lesson videos, practice exams, and analytics. |
| Online certificates | Students can earn online certificates on topics like business law. |
| Continuing legal education credit courses | Attorneys must complete coursework to maintain their licenses to practice law in the U.S. This can be done through self-study activities, webinars, or online classes. |
| Apprenticeships | A few U.S. states offer an alternative path to the bar exam through apprenticeships in the office of a practicing attorney or judge. However, this path has lower bar exam pass rates and makes it harder to find employment. |
| Self-study resources | Self-educators can utilize resources such as legal blogs, used casebooks, and audio files of Supreme Court cases to study law outside of a traditional classroom setting. |
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What You'll Learn
Online law degrees
While it is possible to become a lawyer without a law degree, most lawyers in the United States have completed a three-year degree at an American Bar Association-approved law school. The American Bar Association does not currently accredit any fully online J.D. programs, but there are a few blended or partially online options available. These include the Mitchell Hamline School of Law, where students complete self-paced and live online courses for 11 to 12 weeks each semester, and Syracuse University College of Law, which combines live and self-paced online classes with in-person sessions. Other blended programs include those offered by the University of Dayton School of Law, the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law, and the University of St. Mary's Law. St. Mary's Law's online J.D. program is the first fully online J.D. program accredited by the American Bar Association in the nation.
However, it is important to note that the legal industry in the United States is highly competitive and degree-focused. Most of America's prestigious law firms recruit only from top-tier law schools, which may limit the career prospects of those who have completed online law degrees or alternative paths to becoming a lawyer.
In addition to online law degrees, there are other ways to study law online, such as LSAT prep courses, state bar exam prep courses, and continuing legal education credit courses for attorneys. These courses can be found on websites like 7Sage, edX, Coursera, CLEonline.com, and Lawline.
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LSAT prep online
LSAT prep courses are available online from a variety of providers, including LSAC, Kaplan, and 7Sage. These courses can help you improve your LSAT score, increasing your chances of getting into a top-tier law school.
LSAC offers free Official LSAT Prep through LawHub and Khan Academy. These platforms provide access to practice tests, previously used LSATs, and preparation books. LSAC also offers a list of licensed test prep companies and free or discounted courses for LSAC fee waiver recipients.
Kaplan offers a wide range of LSAT prep options, including 1-on-1 tutoring, live online courses, and test prep books. Their courses are designed to help students raise their LSAT scores by 15 points on average. They also provide detailed explanations for every LSAT question, custom-built practice, and access to the LSAT Channel with over 80 hours of live and on-demand instruction.
Other online prep courses, such as 7Sage, offer structured programs with lesson videos, printable practice exams, and analytics to help law students identify areas of focus. These paid programs can cost around $179 for three months of access.
In addition to these structured courses, students can also take advantage of MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses) offered by platforms like edX and Coursera. These courses are often free to audit and cover a range of legal topics, providing a flexible and affordable option for LSAT preparation.
While online prep courses can be beneficial, it's important to note that self-study through practice tests and published PrepTests can also be an effective way to prepare for the LSAT, especially for those who learn well through self-directed learning.
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Apprenticeships
The Law Office Study Program (LOSP) is the official name of California's legal apprenticeship program. It is an alternative path to law licensing that permits individuals to study under the mentorship of an attorney or judge and complete thousands of hours of self-led work. California's LOSP apprentices must find a supervising attorney, pay a registration fee, and submit a Notice of Intent to study Law in a Law Office or Judge's Chamber to the CA Bar's office of admission. Apprentices must follow the curriculum submitted by the supervising attorney for at least 18 hours a week, for four years, with at least 48 consecutive weeks per year. Supervising attorneys must give written examinations at least once a month and submit semi-annual reports to the Bar.
Washington's apprenticeship program requires four years of employment in a law office, with an average of 32 hours of work/study per week and three hours per week of direct attorney supervision. The supervising attorney must have ten years of experience, and apprentices must pay an annual fee of $1,500.
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Self-education resources
While there are several self-education resources available for studying law, it is important to note that the American Bar Association and other overseeing law bodies generally do not recognize apprenticeships or self-study as a path to becoming a lawyer. The traditional route involves attending an accredited law school, taking bar exam prep courses, and gaining practical experience through internships or other means. However, for those interested in self-study options, here are some resources to consider:
Online Law Degrees
While the American Bar Association does not currently accredit any fully online J.D. programs, there are blended or partially online options available. For example, the Mitchell Hamline School of Law and Syracuse University College of Law offer programs that combine self-paced and live online courses with occasional in-person sessions on campus. These programs provide a more flexible and partially self-directed approach to studying law.
Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs)
Platforms like edX and Coursera offer MOOCs in collaboration with higher education institutions. These courses are often free to audit and cover a range of legal topics, such as International Human Rights Law and Intellectual Property Law and Policy. For a relatively low cost (around $30 to $150), students can also obtain certificates of completion for these courses. MOOCs offer flexibility in terms of specific start dates or self-paced structures.
LSAT Prep Courses
The Law School Admission Test (LSAT) is a crucial step in the law school application process. Several online resources, such as 7Sage and LSAC, offer prep courses that include lesson videos, practice exams, and analytics to help students prepare for the LSAT effectively. These courses can range from free to a few hundred dollars, providing affordable options for test preparation.
Continuing Legal Education Credit Courses
For attorneys looking to maintain their licenses to practice law, many states require continuing legal education (CLE) credits. This can be fulfilled through various online platforms, such as state bar websites, CLEonline.com, the National Law Foundation, and Lawline, among others. These courses may take the form of webinars, self-study activities, or online classes, providing flexibility for attorneys to fulfill their CLE requirements.
Apprenticeships
Although it is a less conventional path, a handful of states offer the option of "reading the law" through an apprenticeship with a practicing attorney or judge. This alternative route eliminates law school debt and provides a more vocational approach. However, it is important to note that apprenticeships have lower bar exam pass rates, and those who succeed may face challenges in finding employment at prestigious law firms due to the degree-obsessed nature of the industry.
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Online CLE courses
While it is possible to become a lawyer without a law degree by taking advantage of apprenticeship opportunities, most aspiring lawyers opt for the traditional route of three years of rigorous study at an American Bar Association-approved law school. In addition, some states require attorneys to complete continuing legal education (CLE) courses to maintain their licenses to practice law. These CLE courses can be taken online through various platforms, such as CLECenter.com, CLEonline.com, Lawline, and Lexvid.
One of the leading providers of online CLE courses is CLECenter.com, which offers innovative features to enhance the learning experience. CLECenter.com provides unlimited access to accredited online courses for a full year at a low price. Attorneys can benefit from the Build-your-Bundle option, where they can individually curate a playlist of state-approved courses from a comprehensive library to meet their specific needs. Additionally, CLECenter.com offers the Compliance Bundle, which includes pre-selected state-approved courses covering all the necessary general and specialty credits. CLECenter.com also caters to legal teams in small, medium, and large organizations through its Team account, granting legal staff unlimited access to programs that can enhance their knowledge.
Another reputable platform for online CLE courses is CLEonline.com. With classes costing around $25 per hour, CLEonline.com offers an affordable option for attorneys seeking to fulfill their CLE requirements. The website emphasizes the importance of checking with state bar associations to ensure that online coursework is accepted.
Lawline is another notable provider of online CLE courses, offering unlimited access to engaging and relevant content for attorneys seeking professional growth. Their courses are designed to help attorneys stay compliant with licensing requirements while advancing their legal careers.
Attorneys seeking to fulfill their CLE requirements have a variety of online platforms to choose from, each offering unique features and benefits to support their continuing legal education journey. These online CLE courses provide a convenient and flexible way to stay up-to-date with the latest legal knowledge and advancements while maintaining their licenses to practice law.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, there are many online resources available for self-studying law. However, it is important to note that the graduate prospects for self-taught law students are not as good as universities like to make out, and most of America's prestigious law firms recruit from top-tier law schools.
There are many online courses, such as edX and Coursera, which offer massive open online courses (MOOCs) with higher education institutions. Students can audit these courses for free, or pay a small fee for a certificate of completion. Other online resources include The Oyez Project, where you can download audio files of Supreme Court cases, and legal blogs such as SCOTUSBlog and the Volokh Conspiracy.
A handful of lawyers practice law in the United States without a law degree. Several U.S. states offer an alternative path to the bar exam room through an apprenticeship in the office of a practicing attorney or judge. However, this route has lower bar exam pass rates and increased hardship in finding employment.
