a small step toward DL law school

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by Kizmet, Sep 7, 2013.

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  1. Kizmet

    Kizmet Moderator

  2. CalDog

    CalDog New Member

    The ABA requires at least 80 credits for approved JD programs.
    Up to 12 of those credits may be offered by DL.
    The ABA has now tentatively increased that number to 15.
     
  3. Psydoc

    Psydoc New Member

    Fifteen credits - WOW! I am overwhelmed.
     
  4. Kizmet

    Kizmet Moderator

    incremental progress is just that, incremental. your positivity is underwhelming.
     
  5. Randell1234

    Randell1234 Moderator

    Maybe by the 22nd century the ABA will enter the 21st!
     
  6. CalDog

    CalDog New Member

    Turns out that the change is more significant than it sounds, because of some other modifications.

    Under the current rule, JD students are not just limited to 12 total DL credits -- they are also limited to 4 DL credits per term.
    This basically means that you are limited to just one DL course in any given term.
    That's not enough, of course, so you need to fill out the rest of your schedule with B&M courses.
    So you always have to be on-campus, and enrolled in B&M courses, even if you pursue the DL option.

    The tentative new rule not only increases the total to 15 credits -- it also eliminates the per-term limit.
    So in theory, you could now take a 15-credit courseload by DL, all at once. This is enough to fill out your whole schedule for the term.
    So you could spend one entire term off-campus, studying by DL exclusively.

    It's likely that at least some law schools will allow this option.
    If so, then ABA-accredited law schools will -- for the first time -- be dealing with students who are not physically present on a B&M campus.
    If they find that this is actually not so bad, then greater acceptance of DL could follow.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 8, 2013
  7. Phdtobe

    Phdtobe Well-Known Member

    ABA is an excellent example of why there shouldn't be a monopolistic accrediter for business. What does sitting in a classroom has to do with being a competent ethical lawyer? Online education is egalitarian. It brings educational access to people who do not have the means to be in the classroom. ABA is relics of the past. Maybe it time for some free market opportunities for legal education.
     
  8. CalDog

    CalDog New Member

    ABA is certainly powerful, but it is not a monopoly. Several US states, including Alabama, California, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Tennessee, allow graduates of non-ABA law schools to sit for their Bar Exams. Such unaccredited schools are typically B&M, but include DL schools in California.

    When given the choice, the free market seems to strongly prefer ABA-accredited schools over unaccredited ones. For example, there are literally dozens of non-ABA law schools in California -- but none of them are perceived to have value or prestige comparable to even the weakest ABA schools. Same is true in the other states with non-ABA law schools.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 8, 2013
  9. sideman

    sideman Well Known Member

    I don't disagree with you. I just have a slightly different take on it. I would like to see the ABA just stick to the regulation of attorneys and setting the bar exams to allow one to practice law. As far as educating those prospective attorneys that should be left up to the professional educators, whether ABA accredited or not. For too long we've allowed attorneys to set themselves up as experts in everything, including education.
     

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