Thread: Any suggestions on a really good online J.D. Program

I'm a somewhat older potential student desiring a law degree (and wanting to pass the bar and practice). But the only practical way I can go about this is online. What are your opinions about the best online school to go through to do this? I've heard Concord (or Kaplan ) is a good school.

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This probably won't work for you. The only online law degrees are non-ABA accredited. This limits you to taking the bar in California. Since you live in Texas this won't work, unless you're willing to relocate to California.

I don't know that there's any online law school that is accepted by the Texas bar. There are a couple of schools in California that allow you to sit for the bar in California but I don't know about Texas. You had better have a reallyreally good understanding of the rules before you sign into any program.

Originally Posted by BereanDAD2003

I'm a somewhat older potential student desiring a law degree (and wanting to pass the bar and practice). But the only practical way I can go about this is online. What are your opinions about the best online school to go through to do this? I've heard Concord (or Kaplan) is a good school.

What part of law do you want to practice? Have you thought about becoming a paralegal ? There are ABA and non-ABA paralegal DL programs. I know two attorneys that sold their practices to get into lower stress paralegal positions; they are still doing what they love to do, helping people, making money, and experiencing a much lower level of stress. Oh, and there are no ABA-accredited DL programs...

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The Texas Board of Law Examiners' FAQ page says:

2. Does Texas recognize J.D. degrees from correspondence or online based law schools?

No. See the following rules in the Rules Governing Admission to the Bar of Texas: III and XIII(a)(2).

http://www.ble.state.tx.us/FAQ/main_faq.htm

And in the Rules -

(3) "Approved law school" shall mean a law school approved by the American Bar Association.

http://www.ble.state.tx.us/Rules/NewRules/rulei.htm

Here's the Texas State Bar Association's 'becoming a lawyer page' -

http://www.texasbar.com/Content/Navi...g_A_Lawyer.htm

A quick and preliminary glance through these sites suggests that Texas might not have any formal licensing requirements for paralegals . It's apparently up to each attorney who they hire to assist them. Paralegals can join the Texas State Bar Association's Paralegal Division, but aren't required to. The State Bar has standards for paralegals , but it looks like they are suggestions to lawyers who hire paralegals and not legal requirements.

The Paralegal Division is here -

http://txpd.org

If you are considering enrolling in a distance learning paralegal program, you might want to talk to the Paralegal Division people first to verify professional requirements and that the program you are considering is viable.

	Paralegals and Legal Assistants Paralegal and Legal Assistant Degrees One of a paralegal's most important tasks is helping lawyers prepare for closings, hearings, trials, and corporate meetings. Paralegals might investigate the facts of cases and ensure that all relevant information is considered. They also identify appropriate laws, judicial decisions, legal articles, and other materials that are relevant to assigned cases. After they analyze and organize the information, paralegals may prepare written reports that attorneys use in determining how cases should be handled. If attorneys decide to file lawsuits on behalf of clients, paralegals may help prepare the legal arguments, draft pleadings and motions to be filed with the court, obtain affidavits, and assist attorneys during trials. Paralegals also organize and track files of all important case documents and make them available and easily accessible to attorneys. •Job opportunities are projected to be better-than-average with strong employment growth; however, competition for jobs is expected. •Formally trained, experienced paralegals should have the best employment opportunities. •Most entrants have an associate’s degree in paralegal studies, or a bachelor's degree in another field and a certificate in paralegal studies. Click Here to find FREE information on schools offering this course of study.

Originally Posted by BereanDAD2003

I'm a somewhat older potential student desiring a law degree (and wanting to pass the bar and practice). But the only practical way I can go about this is online. What are your opinions about the best online school to go through to do this? I've heard Concord (or Kaplan) is a good school.

If you want to do it online California is the only route to go. The ABA gatekeepers have got a death grip on everything else. You may consider taking a year from Northwestern California University of Law and then taking the baby bar. Their tuition is reasonable compared to Concord and you wouldn't have too much invested at the end of the year to not justify stopping if it's just not right for you.

Sideman JD

Originally Posted by BereanDAD2003

I'm a somewhat older potential student desiring a law degree (and wanting to pass the bar and practice). But the only practical way I can go about this is online. What are your opinions about the best online school to go through to do this?

The University of London External Programme offers an LLB via distance education . The LLB is an undergraduate degree in the UK. You can apply to the NYS bar after graduation. Also, search the forum for a thread about a law student who successfully petitioned the court in MA regarding eligibility for bar admission with a law degree from Concord Law School (I think is the name).

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Originally Posted by sentinel

The University of London External Programme offers an LLB via distance education . The LLB is an undergraduate degree in the UK. You can apply to the NYS bar after graduation. Also, search the forum for a thread about a law student who successfully petitioned the court in MA regarding eligibility for bar admission with a law degree from Concord Law School (I think is the name).

I am not so sure about this. If my memory is correct, an external LLB degree will not meet the eligibility requirements to qualify for the New York Bar Examination. See sections 520.3 and 520.6 of the Rules of the Court of Appeals.

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Originally Posted by Magister

I am not so sure about this. If my memory is correct, an external LLB degree will not meet the eligibility requirements to qualify for the New York Bar Examination. See sections 520.3 and 520.6 of the Rules of the Court of Appeals.

It has always been my understanding that an external LLB is not acceptable in NY. I once checed the application and at that time applicants with foreign degrees needed to certify that their degree was earned on campus. Unless there has been a change it also used to be the case that an external LLB plus a residential LLM was also insufficient in New York State.

Originally Posted by novemberdude

It has always been my understanding that an external LLB is not acceptable in NY. I once checed the application and at that time applicants with foreign degrees needed to certify that their degree was earned on campus. Unless there has been a change it also used to be the case that an external LLB plus a residential LLM was also insufficient in New York State.

If the external LLB is not acceptable in NY I stand corrected. I thought I read it was eligible but I cannot seem to locate the URL at the moment.

Surely, though with the LLB and going through the NCA process and passing whatever examinations and then the appropriate provincial bar examinations in Canada it must be possible to gain admission to some US states provided the appropriate state bar examinations are successfully written.