Hello All, Looking for general information and possible Universities that offer such a program for obtaining a Juris Doctorate degree at a resonable price. Thanks for all your responses.
Can you elaborate and provide more background in reference you needs, intentions, price range, and goals etc...? This will help for recommendations. Welcome to the board!
Thanks!! My personal background includes an B.S in Management Info. Systems & Tech., General MBA. Intentions for obtaining a law degree are to make myself more marketable. I eventually want to be a Fed, but want to have a backup plan if that doesn't work out. As for price range I am not sure, I want to see how much such a program costs than make a decision on the universities that offer such a program. I notice your North Central University logo, Are you in a Ph. D. program with them?
Northwestern California University offers a decent program at reasonable price. http://www.nwculaw.edu/
What does one do with a JD from there besides hope to find a job in California? I wonder this every time I see the distance law school question come up.
I was thinking the same thing after reading this: "Following active practice for between 3 to 5 years in California, they are eligible for bar membership in some other states." Anyone else know of any other law schools that does not require this?
The University of London LL.B. is accepted in New York State by the Bar Association for eligibility to take the state bar examination. At that point, from the information I have read, the degree holder can practice in other jurisdictions subject to any normal restrictions an out of state lawyer/attorney might face.
Abraham Lincoln University www.alu.edu California Southern University www.calsouthern.edu Kaplan University www.kaplan.edu Northwestern California University www.nwculaw.edu Oak Brook College of Law www.obcl.edu William Howard Taft University www.taftu.edu
It's not at all silly for those who are professionals and are not in a position to attend law school full-time. It's not just recent college grads who want to further / change their careers but also professionals who have other responsibilities such as family, expenses such as a mortgage, car payments, etc. It certainly is a viable option for individuals such as myself (and there are others on this board who have completed a law degree through distance learning), though it's still a couple of years down the road before I engage in those rigorous studies.
In my books, I always had a chapter on on-line law degrees, which included (a) the pass rates for the various California schools (b) a list of those states where one could apply to take the bar with a California unaccredited law degree (typically 5 to 10) (c) a list of those states where one could apply to take the bar after some years of private study with a lawyer or judge (i.e., the Abraham Lincoln approach, which accounted for half of all law degrees until the mid 1950s). Typically about 20 to 30 hours of work was needed for this chapter: getting lots of useful information from the Lawyers' Desk Reference, and then writing a bunch of letters to clarify things, then harassing people to respond to them. Perhaps there is a bodhisattva here who would do and report such work. (Since you asked, at present, I have no plans to do a 17th edition of Bears' Guide. But the fact that Ten Speed Press is up for sale -- Publishers Weekly says there are a dozen 'big guys' bidding 8-figure amounts (without the pennies!) -- could conceivably mean that a new owner might want to revive it. ) John Bear Bears' Guide to Earning Degrees by Distance Learning
Are you sure about this? See rule 520.3 "Study of Law in Law School", section (3) "No credit shall be allowed for correspondence courses."
I was told this by an individual who successfully competed the UoL LL.B. and was admitted to the NYS bar.
This is interesting, because what I had heard previously was that there was no way that a distance learning law graduate could become a member of the NY Bar. I'd even heard of one case where someone admitted as a solicitor in England was denied on the basis of a distance learning degree. If this is in fact a general policy of the NY Bar and not a one off thing then it is great news. It should, however, be noted that by all accounts the NY Bar is one of the hardest in the US.
Found my Answer O.k. I thought since I found my own answer to my own question I thought it would be a benefit to everyone so here it is: If you would rather go to the link: http://distancelearn.about.com/od/onlinecourses/a/onlinelawschool.htm How to Choose an Online Law School and Become a Practicing Lawyer Would you like to earn an online law degree from the comfort of your own home? It’s not easy, but it is possible. Earning an online law degree poses several unique challenges. No online law school is accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA); however, forty-nine states require that law school graduates earn a degree accredited by the ABA in order to take the bar exam needed to practice law. California is the one state that allows graduates from distance learning law schools to sit for their bar, assuming the examinees meet certain requirements. If you live in California, or if you’re willing to relocate, you may be able to become a practicing lawyer with an online law degree. After you work as a lawyer for a few years, it may be possible to practice law in some other states. Here’s what you need to know: Earning an Online Law Degree and Practicing Law in California In order to take the California Bar, students must meet certain requirements set by the Committee of Bar Examiners of the State Bar of California. There are seven basic steps to becoming a full-fledged lawyer. Step 1: Complete your pre-legal education. Most law students have already completed a bachelor’s degree. However, California’s minimum requirement is that students complete at least two years of college-level work (60 semester credits) with a GPA equal to or above that required for graduation. Alternatively, you may prove that you have intellectual ability equal to a college student in his second year by passing subject matter examinations with scores accepted by the Committee. Step 2: Complete your legal education. Online law students may sit for the California Bar if they receive “instruction in law from a correspondence law school requiring 864 hours of preparation and study per year and which is registered with the Committee (off-site link).” The Committee does not accredit online law schools; instead, they allow distance learning schools to register with them if the online schools meet requirements. Because the Committee won’t vouch for the quality of these programs, it is essential to thoroughly investigate any online law school before enrolling. Here are the online law schools currently registered with the Committee: Abraham Lincoln University School of Law American Heritage University School of Law California School of Law Concord School of Law Esquire College MD Kirk School of Law Newport University Northwestern California University Oak Brook College of Law and Government Policy Southern California University for Professional Studies University of Honolulu West Coast School of Law, Inc. West Haven University William Howard Taft University Step 3: Register as a law student. Before taking any examinations, online law students must register with the State Bar of California. This may be done through the online office of admissions (off-site link). Step 4: Pass the First-Year Law Student’s Examination. Students must pass a four hour test covering basic contracts, criminal law, and torts (concepts that are taught in during a law student’s first year of study). The exam is administered in June and October of each year (off-site link). Step 5: Receive a positive moral character determination. All California lawyers must first prove that they have “good moral character” by undergoing an evaluation from the Committee. You will be asked to provide information, fingerprints, and references. The Committee will talk to your former employers, your online law school, and will check for driving and criminal records. The entire process may take four to six months, so get an early start (off-site link). Step 6: Pass the Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination. This two hour and five minute exam will test your understanding of appropriate lawyer conduct. You will answer sixty multiple choice questions regarding representation, privilege, contempt, and related issues. The exam is offered three times a year (off-site link). Step 7: Pass the Bar Exam. Finally, after completing your online law degree and fulfilling the other requirements, you may take the California Bar Exam. The bar exam is offered in February and July of each year and features three days of essay questions, multi-state components, and practical exercises. If you pass the bar, you are eligible to practice law in California. How to Practice Law in Other States with an Online Law Degree Once you’ve used your online law degree to practice law in California for a few years, you may be able to work as a lawyer in additional states. Many states will permit California lawyers to take their bar exams after five to seven years of practicing law. Alternatively, you could enroll in a Master of Law program accredited by the American Bar Association. Such programs take only one or two years and will help you qualify to take the bar exam in other states. You may also practice law in federal courts located in any state. Student Beware: The Drawbacks of Earning an Online Law Degree Earning an online law degree can be an appealing option for professionals with work and family responsibilities. But, be aware that there are several drawbacks to studying law online. If you want to practice law, you will probably be limited to a single state for several years. Additionally, law firms will know that your online law degree is not accredited by the American Bar Association. So, don’t expect to be a contender for the most prestigious, highest paying jobs. If you choose to pursue an online law degree, go into the experience with realistic expectations. Studying law online is not for everyone, but for the right person it can be a worthwhile experience.
