ABA credit for DL coursework

Per this allusion in a previous thread, "Two Degrees=Same Major," I have (finally) been able to obtain the information regarding an ABA accredited law school granting course-work for a Cal DL law school. A graduate of my school, the well-known Oak Brook, was recently granted admission to Rutgers-Camden University School of Law and was awarded credit for one and a half years of coursework. The specifics are that 1.) he graduated from a Cal. law school and 2.) he had already passed the California Bar exam. I guess the logic behind this is that if one passes the Cal Bar, then one must necessarily have the knowledge of basic courses; and it would be repetitious to make that individual take Torts, Contracts, etc. all over again. But the key was that he had both graduated from the DL law school AND passed the Cal Bar.

This option will probably open up doors for many hesitant people. I am keeping this option open for myself. I do not have much money and $3000 per year is much more affordable than $30-40k per year. I figure that if I graduate here and work as an attorney for a couple of years, I will not feel the financial strain many law students do. Plus, I can get the basics out of the way right now and use the year and a half later towards a specialty field. If ABA schools are starting to recognize the validity of these DL schools, then hopefully that recognition will eventually extend upwards. Let's keep our fingers crossed!

Steven

 

A very interesting post! I find that, in general, the maximum amount of credit an ABA chool will accept in transfer is 44 semester hours or so, in other words, half of a three year program.

I am not sure that a "better" J.D. is necessarily the best degree to pursue, however, if one is already a lawyer. If the state where one wishes to practice will permit a California lawyer with a D/L degree and a few years' experience, why bother with another J.D.? Of course, if one wishes to practice in New Jersey or Nebraska or Texas or some similar state, it makes sense, I guess.