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Most Affordable Online Law Degrees 2023

Law is a continuously expanding and evolving field, and often, it is only the most studious and sharp of individuals that master it. If you’re the kind of person who knows how to use logic and semantics to work through tough issues, you might just be a lawyer at heart. With a degree in law, you can pursue careers in journalism, criminal defense, advertising, and so much more.

You might think a law degree is way out of your reach, but we’re here to prove you wrong. Online law degrees are becoming more and more accessible as technology improves. That means, no matter what circumstances you’re in, it is entirely possible to advance toward your dream career in law, even from the comfort of your own couch.

There’s no question that online schooling has become one of the most proficient and accessible modes of obtaining a modern education. The benefits of these programs are virtually endless. Not only are they both convenient and easy to use, but highly affordable, as well. In 2018, over 6 million students relied on remote learning opportunities to obtain their degrees, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. That’s a significant number of smart, motivated individuals with a clear focus on their futures. You have every capacity to be one of them.

Related Online Programs That Might Interest You

Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.

We understand how overwhelming it can be to sift through every potential college, weighing the pros and cons, calculating costs, and trying to make large-scale decisions about your future, all while juggling regular, everyday responsibilities. That’s why, for your convenience, we’ve compiled a list of some of the most affordable, highly-rated schools offering online law degrees out there. With these options in mind, you’re sure to find the perfect college for you and start on the path to your future sooner rather than later.

Methodology

All schools considered for these rankings

  • Are regionally or nationally accredited
  • Offer at least one fully online law degree (with no more than two weeks of required in-person work)
  • Were collected from official accrediting agency websites.

Schools are ranked solely by the average net price as released in the most recent IPEDs database collected in July of 2022.

Cheapest Schools for Online Law Degrees 2023

RankSchoolGraduate Tuition + Fees
#1Fort Hays State University$4,500
#2Abraham Lincoln University$5,000
#3American Public University System$7,050
#4West Texas A & M University$7,282
#5Western Carolina University$7,480
#6Stevenson University$8,340
#7Liberty University$8,360
#8University of Central Florida$8,872
#9Peru State College$9,120
#10University of Maryland Global Campus$9,342
#11Ohio Christian University$10,916
#12Herzing University-Brookfield$11,600
#13Bellevue University$11,730
#14Arizona State University$12,608
#15California University of Pennsylvania$12,919
#16Campbell University$15,152
#17Oregon State University$15,569
#18Rowan University$16,146
#19University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth$16,965
#20Regent University Online$17,190
#21Southern New Hampshire University Online$19,470
#22Dominican University$20,413

10 Cheapest Online Law School Degrees

1. Fort Hays State University

Graduate Tuition + Fees: $4,500

School Type: Non-Profit

School Accreditation: HLC

Acceptance Rate: 91%

Fort Hays State University is a public higher education facility that started offering courses in 1902. Its campus is in Hays, Kansas, where it has a student body of about 12,500 undergraduate students. This university has been rated as a top online law school for undergraduate students. It offers an online Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Political Science with a specialization in pre-law. The program will help get students ready for the law school curriculum as well as provide basic knowledge of legal terms, constitutional laws, legal research, legal writing, and more. A few of the courses that students in this law school online program are required to pass are Introduction to Law, Legal Advocacy, Legal Research Methods, Constitutional Law, American Civil Liberties, Legal Philosophy, and more.

2. Abraham Lincoln University

Graduate Tuition + Fees: $5,000

School Type: For-Profit

School Accreditation: DEAC

Acceptance Rate: Open Admissions

Abraham Lincoln University is an online, private higher education institution that was launched in 1996. It is based in the Los Angeles, California area and is known to be an excellent choice for those seeking a law school online learning environment. This university offers an online Juris Doctor (J.D.) program, which is known to be one of the best online law school programs in the United States for working individuals who are not able to commute to campus. Students will be taught how to write different types of legal documents, carry out legal research, analyze and assess several legal issues, create legal strategies, and more. Once students have completed the J.D. program, they will have 90 days to sit for the bar exam. Interested individuals can expect to spend four years in the program.

If you are not ready to pursue a J.D. program, Abraham Lincoln University also offers an online Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Legal Studies and a Master of Science (M.S.) in Law. The B.S. in Legal Studies will give students a broad understanding of how the legal system works as well as teach them how to conduct legal research. Students will also learn how to write important legal documents, such as memorandums, motions, and other court contracts. A few of the courses that students will be required to pass to earn the B.S. degree are Introduction to the Legal Profession, Criminal Law, Legal Research, Legal Analysis & Writing, and more.

The M.S. in Law offers an in-depth look at the legal system. Students will acquire advanced knowledge about a variety of different laws, including business laws, communication laws, environmental laws, employment laws, immigration laws, and more. This program will prepare students for a career in a law firm or to pursue a J.D. program. Several of the core courses include Criminal Law, Legal Research, Legal Writing, Contracts, and more.

3. American Public University System

Graduate Tuition + Fees: $7,050

School Type: For-Profit

School Accreditation: HLC

Acceptance Rate: Open Admissions

Fort Hays State University is a public higher education facility that started offering courses in 1902. Its campus is in Hays, Kansas, where it has a student body of about 12,500 undergraduate students. This university has been rated as a top online law school for undergraduate students. It offers an online Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Political Science with a specialization in pre-law. The program will help get students ready for the law school curriculum as well as provide basic knowledge of legal terms, constitutional laws, legal research, legal writing, and more. A few of the courses that students in this law school online program are required to pass are Introduction to Law, Legal Advocacy, Legal Research Methods, Constitutional Law, American Civil Liberties, Legal Philosophy, and more.

4. West Texas A & M University

Graduate Tuition + Fees: $7,282

School Type: Non-Profit

School Accreditation: SACS COC

Acceptance Rate: 58%

West Texas A & M University is a public higher education facility that was constructed in 1910. Its headquarters location is in Canyon, Texas, and possesses around 7,368 enrolled undergraduate students. If you are interested in pursuing a J.D. law program in the future, this university features an online Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Criminal Justice which many individuals pursue their undergraduate degree before attending law school. Some of the career paths that graduates with this degree earn are paralegal, legal assistant, court administrator, and more. The concentrations that are available to students in this program are administration, corrections, and policing. You will learn about different aspects of the criminal justice system which will be beneficial to your future law school plans, such as constitutional rights, legal searches, probable cause, reasonable suspicion, Miranda warnings, and terrorism.

5. Western Carolina University

Graduate Tuition + Fees: $7,480

School Type: Non-Profit

School Accreditation: SACS COC

Acceptance Rate: 48%

Western Carolina University is a public higher education school that was implemented in 1889. Its campus is in Cullowhee, North Carolina, where the teachers are teaching an undergraduate enrollment of almost 10,000 students. This university is known to have an excellent online law degree program for undergraduate students. The online programs offered are the Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Political Science and the Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Political Science. Both of these programs will prepare individuals for law school. They will learn about social and political issues, policy analysis, lobbying, strategic planning, and more. The professors teaching the courses in this program will also provide in-depth studies on the Supreme Court and the cases that the justices hear, international relations, American politics, and political theories.

6. Stevenson University

Graduate Tuition + Fees: $8,340

School Type: Private Non-Profit

School Accreditation: MSCHE

Acceptance Rate: 89%

Founded in 1947 in Stevenson, Maryland, Stevenson University is a small, privately funded school. With an emphasis on career-focused education, SU offers over 90 majors, minors, and vocational tracks. In 2008, the school’s name changed from Villa Julie College to Stevenson University to reflect its growth in student body, resources, vision, and selection of degrees. Now hosting the growth of over 2,700 undergrad students and nearly 900 online students, SU is still committed to continuing its growth and the success of its alumni. Stevenson offers a Criminal Justice program and a Legal Studies program for undergraduate students. Each of these programs offers students a strong basis for rewarding careers in pursuing justice and fighting crime.

7. Liberty University

Graduate Tuition + Fees: $8,360

School Type: Private Non-Profit

School Accreditation: SACS COC

Acceptance Rate: 50%

Liberty University is a devoutly Christian university centered on developing their students into disciples with the values, skills, and knowledge requisite for success and salvation. Liberty offers over 300 degree programs at undergraduate and graduate levels in a very wide range of subjects. LU Makes every effort to ensure that students have access to generous scholarships and government financial aid to ensure that they have the opportunities for growth made available by Liberty University. US News ranks Liberty as the 2nd most conservative college, 3rd best online college, and 5th best college campus in America. Liberty offers a Criminal Justice Bachelor’s Degree with seven specializations designed to help students learn with great specificity what their chosen career field will require.

8. University of Central Florida

Graduate Tuition + Fees: $8,872

School Type: Non-Profit

School Accreditation: SACS COC

Acceptance Rate: 45%

The University of Central Florida is a public higher education school that was constructed in 1963. Its headquarters location is in the bustling city of Orlando, Florida, and retains about 60,000 undergraduate students per year. This online law school is known to have an outstanding online law degree program, which can be accessed by students worldwide. It offers a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Legal Studies, a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Legal Studies, and a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Political Science.

The B.A. and B.S. in Legal Studies provide students with the opportunity to join an accelerated program and earn their Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree at the same time as the bachelor’s degree. Students who choose this option will focus on their bachelor’s degree for the first two years and apply to the accelerated J.D. program by the beginning of their junior year. If you decide to only earn a B.S. or B.A., you will gain a broad understanding of laws and how the legal system works. These online programs will prepare students to go on to pursue a J.D. program whenever they feel ready. If you choose to pursue the accelerated program, you will graduate with a B.S. or B.A. in Legal Studies as well as a J.D. degree.

The B.A. in Political Science is an online program that offers a pre-law track. During this program, students will work with an advisor who specializes in prelaw to determine their courses for the program. Upon completion, students will be prepared to pursue law school or seek a professional career in the legal field.

9. Peru State College

Graduate Tuition + Fees: $9,120

School Type: Non-Profit

School Accreditation: HLC

Acceptance Rate: Open Admissions

Peru State College is a public higher education facility that began serving students in 1865. Its home city is in Peru, Nebraska, and it consists of around 1,324 undergraduate students. This school is widely known for its undergraduate law degree online, which offers individuals a high-quality learning experience at their fingertips. The online Bachelor of Science (B.S.) and Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) programs in Legal Studies will equip individuals with the necessary skills and knowledge to work in the legal field or go on to pursue a J.D. program. Both programs are exceptional programs that will teach students about various commercial laws, criminal laws, environmental laws, constitutional laws, and more. The following are examples of the courses that students will be required to pass to graduate from this online bachelor’s program: Legal Environment & Contract Law, Forensic Psychology, American Constitutional Law, Contemporary Social Problems, State and Local Government, Commercial Law, Criminal Law, Criminalistics, American National Government, and more.

10. University of Maryland Global Campus

Graduate Tuition + Fees: $9,342

School Type: Non-Profit

School Accreditation: MSCHE

Acceptance Rate: Open Admissions

The University of Maryland Global Campus is an online, public institution that has been providing higher education opportunities since 1947. It is based in Adelphi, Maryland, and has close to 45,000 undergraduate students. This college takes great pride in featuring one of the best online law school programs for undergraduate students around the world, which is the Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Legal Studies. This program will help students obtain the skills and knowledge to thrive in various legal environments or a J.D. program. Upon graduation, all students will know how to create and analyze legal documents and forms, find fact patterns, and apply legislative statutes. In addition, graduates will be able to conduct legal research as well as legal analysis. The following are a few of the mandatory courses that students must pass to graduate from the program: Introduction to Law, Techniques of Legal Research, Legal Writing, Legal Ethics, Torts, Criminal Law and Procedures, Litigation, Contract Law, and more.

Related Online Programs That Might Interest You

Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.

Everything You Need to Know About Online Law Degree

Despite distance learning for higher education taking off rapidly, only a handful of law schools have adopted the online learning model. Just a few states allow students who have earned online law degrees to undertake the state bar exam to begin practice. Despite this, prospective law students still have the option to enroll in online law degree programs. All they need is to get an online law program that the American Bar Association accredits. However, they need to ensure that the state’s licensing board recognizes the certified program.

Online law degree programs are the quickest way of earning your law degree. The programs are highly flexible, allowing students to take classes at their convenience. Unlike typical law degrees that take four years to complete, online law programs take fewer years, especially for full-timers. The programs allow law students to attend class virtually and complete assignments virtually, without physically attending classroom lectures. They also interact with their professors remotely. The online law degree programs also prepare students to sit for their bar to gain a state practicing license. The programs also help students transition to law schools and, subsequently, online master’s degrees.

Although most prospective law students doubt the prospects of online legal studies programs, the programs aren’t any different from the traditional law programs. They train and prepare law students to take up various roles in the criminal justice system. If you seek to enroll in an online law degree program, you are in the right place. This article explores all the aspects of online law degrees, including:

  1. Online courses for law and legal studies degree programs
  2. Reasons to earn a law degree online
  3. What you can do with a law degree earned online
  4. Best online schools offering accredited law degree programs

Online Courses for Law and Legal Studies Degree Programs

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of occupations in the legal field will grow by 5% within the next ten years. The projection has led to the increased demand for law and legal studies degree students who aspire to pursue law, criminal justice, and law enforcement careers. Law and legal studies programs examine law students on law and the contemporary issues in the criminal justice system.

The law degree programs allow students to choose a learning program that suits their lifestyle and professional objectives. They can choose to learn using the traditional learning format or the self-paced online format. However, in this article, we will focus more on online courses for law and legal studies degrees. The article will cover the objective of the online courses and the best online degree programs. Keep reading the subsequent sections to gain more insights.

What Are the Objectives of an Online Legal Studies Degree Program?

The question that comes to every aspiring law student’s mind is whether an online legal studies degree program is worth the hustle and investment. An online legal studies degree is worth your time and financial resources since it unlocks a world of new opportunities in various legal settings. You are likely to land employment in law firms, government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and regulatory offices. For a legal student to achieve a career, online legal studies degrees usually have various objectives to ensure every student achieves their career dream. The goals of an online legal studies degree program ensure students can demonstrate the American Association for Paralegal Education competencies, including:

  • Critical Thinking Skills

The online legal studies degree programs enable a student to learn and be able to:

  • Identify a legal program and evaluate alternative solutions to the issues at hand.
  • Determine logical solutions to legal issues and construct logical arguments in support of the identified solution
  • Determine the areas of law applicable to a particular situation
  • Organizational Skills

Legal students learn and develop organizational skills applicable to the law that will enable them to:

  • Sort information categorically
  • Prioritize client needs
  • Utilize time effectively
  • Manage, sort, and store information manually and digitally
  • Legal Research Skills

An online legal studies degree program expects students to learn and develop legal research skills that will enable them to apply the organizational, legal, and communication skills applicable to legal settings. They should be able to prepare and carry out legal research.

  • Communication Skills

Just like in any profession, communication skills are vital in the legal world. An online legal studies degree curriculum helps the student develop general communication skills needed to:

  • Interact effectively with clients, lawyers, court personnel, witnesses, and co-workers over the phone, in person, or through written correspondence
  • Interview clients, and witnesses, among others
  • Adapt to every situation

The online programs also enable students to familiarize themselves with procedural systems and standards used in the criminal justice and legal systems. They will also be able to understand and explain the constitutional rights of clients and witnesses. The online legal programs also introduce students to the technological advancements used in law firms, such as legal research databases and case management systems. Finally, the objective of the programs is to enable students to define and understand the ethical issues faced by the legal community and professionals.

What Kind of Degree Do You Need to Get into Law School?

Being a paralegal or other law professional requires a certain level of education. Those seeking to enroll in a law school and become lawyers probably want to know the law school entry requirements. They need to know the tips for successful admission. The essential requirement to join a law school to study a postgraduate degree, commonly referred to as Juris Doctor, is an undergraduate degree in law or any other related field. The undergraduate degrees give prospective legal students the foundational knowledge needed to earn a Juris Doctor degree and sit for their bar exams.

Notably, there are no prerequisite courses for aspiring law school students. However, they must first have an accredited four-year bachelor’s degree. The ABA requires students from nearly every field of study, ranging from mathematics to political science, for admission to law school. Some of the undergraduate degrees that can lead to a law school admission include philosophy, political science, economics, journalism, business, English, and legal studies. All a student needs are higher GPA scores in your area of study since law schools require hardworking and academically gifted students.

What Are the Online Courses for Law and Legal Studies Degree Programs?

Online courses for law and legal studies degree programs help prospective law students to develop analytical and research skills and gain an in-depth understanding of the law. At the beginning of the online law and legal studies program, students undertake introductory courses to get an overview of the country’s legal system, including a detailed description of the federal and state courts. They undertake online courses that give a foundation for the terminologies used in the legal world.

They also undertake online research courses that emphasize legal research, legal writing, and professional ethics. The online research courses train students on the legal research methodology and case analysis techniques, which will benefit their future practice as paralegals or law assistants. Additionally, the prospective legal studies students undertake online courses in legal ethics. The online legal ethics course introduces students to the ethical issues and professional standards that significantly impact legal professionals.

Under the law and legal studies degree programs, students take an online course on constitutional law. The constitutional law courses enable students to learn the constitutional rights protected by the Constitution. Concepts such as equal protection of rights, separation of powers, and common law interpretations are explored in detail. The students also take an online legal theory course which prepares students on the theoretical law foundation. The online law covers political theories, natural law, and the relationship between the law, ethics, and morality.

Comparative law is also a typical online course undertaken by students undertaking the online bachelor’s program. Under the comparative law course, students explore the legal systems of different countries across the globe and examine the similarities and the legal approaches between the countries’ systems and the U.S. legal system. The learners also explore online courses in criminal law. Criminal law examines topics such as legal policy, and criminology, among others.

Reasons to Earn a Law Degree Online

Although an online law degree is uncommon in most states, many prospective law students consider pursuing a law degree online because of the increased flexibility and convenience of the online programs. Online law degree programs are relatively cheaper than traditional law degree programs that involve physical learning. The online law degree programs are as rigorous as the on-campus degree programs.

There is no harm in earning a law degree online. All you need is to pursue an online degree accredited by the American Bar Association. Are you considering earning your law degree online? Well, there are various aspects you need to know before enrolling in an online law program. This article explores some of the common issues surrounding online law degrees in detail. Keep reading!

What Do Employers Think About Online Law Schools?

Although a few law graduates opt to practice independently after graduation, a more significant number seek employment opportunities in law firms, government agencies, regulatory bodies, and nonprofit organizations. The increasing prevalence of online law degree programs has sparked debates on whether online law degrees are as valuable as traditional law degrees. So heated is the debate as even employers have been dragged into the argument, a worrying trend for most prospective online law degree students who have begun doubting the potential of online law schools. Before choosing to pursue a law degree online, you need to get insights into employers’ thoughts concerning online law schools to help you make the right choices and eliminate the potential for future regrets.

In the past several decades, most employers didn’t view online law degrees with as much respect as on-campus law degrees. When distance learning sparked off, most employers doubted the training and curriculum of the law program. However, things have significantly changed over the past few years. Employers have begun to accept online programs to a greater extent. Unfortunately, some employers still have varied opinions on online law degrees despite their rapidly increasing popularity. With this, a few employers still hesitate to hire legal professionals with online law degrees.

Despite the varied opinions, legal experts continue to advocate for online law degrees. They argue that online programs are as rigorous as other learning alternatives. Currently, before shortlisting prospective employees for job interviews, employers verify the academic credentials of online law degree graduates to ascertain the programs are accredited and meet the high standards of quality set by ABA. This is a reprieve to most online law graduates, as they are now equally treated like their counterparts.

How Does a Law Degree Benefit HR Professionals?

It is not surprising that several HR professionals are enrolling in law schools to undertake advanced law degrees, such as the Juris Doctor. Others have opted to enroll in undergraduate four-year law degree programs to undertake legal studies and related fields such as MSW programs. But what could be the reason for this significant trend? HR professionals have to balance employee management and business operation.

There are several legal issues surrounding hiring, retaining, and firing employees. Hence, earning Juris Doctor gives HR professionals a solid foundation to assess and apply laws related to employee constitutional rights and obligations. Online JDs opportunities include higher earning potential and new career opportunities. Legal studies also ensure that HR professionals maintain compliance with statutory regulations and avoid errors.

Why Should You Earn a Law Degree Online?

Earning a law degree online has several significant benefits. Online law degrees are typically cheaper than traditional law degree programs. The online programs are also much more flexible than on-campus programs, making it easier to attach students to work while they study.

What You Can Do with A Law Degree Earned Online

An online law degree offers several professional and personal benefits to law students. The programs enable students to learn and hone skills such as analytical skills, communication skills, legal research skills, and problem-solving skills. Students graduating with online law degrees are well prepared to transition to law schools to study for a Juris Doctor degree and take bar exams. Those not considering enrolling in law schools are trained and ready to take several professional duties in the legal setting. Law degrees earned online enable legal professionals to advance their current careers or change to alternative jobs related to the legal field.

How Can You Get an Accredited Law Degree Online?

With the increased number of online law degrees, it is vital to ensure that a recognized accrediting body accredits the online program you are applying for, which is vital, especially when you want to enroll in a law school and sit for your bar exams. Getting an accredited law degree online can be straightforward. Once you identify a specific online law degree, research the ABA website to ensure the program is accredited by the organization.

The accreditation demonstrates the online law degree has met all the law education standards put in place by the accrediting body. Once the confirmation process is done, you can visit the college or university offering the online degree program to determine the program’s application process. Research determines the GPA requirements, the application process, and other relevant documents needed to gain admission.

What States Accept Online Law Degrees?

Despite the popularity of online law degrees, not all states accept online degrees. Unfortunately, this means that students who have earned law degrees online are unlikely to sit for bar exams and obtain a practicing license. Currently, only three states accept online degree programs. The states include California, New Mexico, and Minnesota. California, for instance, allows law students with a 100% law degree to sit for the bar examination. With only three states accepting online law degrees, the debate on whether online law degrees are worth it will continue to gain momentum. However, distance education experts are hopeful that more states will recognize online law degrees in the future.

What Can You Do with A Law Degree Earned Online?

A law degree earned online prepares law students for various career paths, including being a mediator and paralegal. Many of these career paths offer above-average salaries. Nonetheless, the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a strong career growth for online law degree graduates. In addition, several other legal professions are limited to Juris Doctor degree holders. Hence, those seeking to pursue advanced careers must enroll in a law school to become lawyers after earning their online law degree. Let’s explore the job in detail.

  • Paralegal: Paralegals are legal professionals who perform various tasks such as drafting court correspondence and documents, filing court documents, communicating with clients, and conducting legal research. They make an average of $50,940 annually.
  • Mediator: Mediator assists conflicting parties in finding solutions to their conflicts. They listen and help clients develop a resolution plan to help them solve their issues out of court. They earn an average of $50,000 annually.
  • Arbitrator: Just like mediators, arbitrators help to dispute parties settle their conflicts outside of court. They hold private, confidential, informal hearings. An arbitrator earns an average salary of $63,930 per year.

Best Online Schools Offering Accredited Law Degree Programs

Online schools offering accredited law degree programs provide a flexible route to a career in the legal field. Distance learners enroll in online schools accredited by the American Bar Association to provide law degree programs. The accrediting institution has set out several restrictions on online schools. For instance, ABA requires online schools to offer some in-person courses. With this, you can hardly find a learning institution offering 100% online law degree courses. Online programs have become popular due to their flexibility.

They have hybrid enrollment options allowing students to study at their convenience. However, before enrolling in any online degree program, ensure that the ABA accredits the program. The confirmation process can be quite tedious, especially when you don’t know where to start. But, you need not stress yourself out. This article explores some of the best online schools offering accrediting law degree programs and where to find ABA-approved schools. Scroll downwards to the subsequent sections!

Where Are the ABA-Approved Online Law Schools?

If you’ve been shopping for an approved online law school, probably you’ve faced some serious hurdles in your quest. Despite online law programs existing for a while now, the American Bar Association has remained adamant about fully accrediting any online programs. However, things have rapidly changed in the last few years. The accrediting institution has begun allowing law students to complete some courses online. Several law schools have introduced hybrid online law programs to enable students to receive their Juris Doctor degrees remotely. The hybrid programs allow law students to complete many courses online and only a few through in-person classroom instruction. They receive similar degrees to those earned by on-campus law program students. Some of the law schools that ABA has granted waivers to provide Juris Doctor degrees online include:

  • Syracuse University: Syracuse University’s JDinteractive (JDi) was first approved by ABA in 2018. Initially, the enrollment limit for the flexible online program was 65 students. However, this has changed significantly. The online program offers different types of instruction; self-paced online learning, live online class sessions, and six in-person residential courses. The program takes approximately 39 months to complete. The schools boast a bar pass rate of 91.4% and a job acceptance rate of 52.1%.
  • Mitchell Hamline School of Law: Mitchel Hamline Law School was the first law school to be approved to provide online law degrees in 2015. students can complete the institution’s online program within four years. However, there is an accelerated program that takes three years to complete. The law offers a blended learning format. Law students can choose to learn fully online or partially online. The law school has a bar pass rate of 80.9% and an acceptance rate of 57.5%.
  • Southwestern Law School: Southwestern Law School was approved to provide an online law degree program in 2017. It launched to dispute its first part-time program in 2019. The program enables law students to learn both online and in person and takes approximately four years to complete. The bar pass rate is 52.3, and the graduate student’s job acceptance rate is 46.1%.
  • University of New Hampshire School of Law: The law school’s Hybrid JD program was approved in February 2019. Students can complete the program almost entirely online since it only requires four on-campus classroom instructions per year. Other courses are offered through live and recorded lectures, discussion board interactions, and reading and writing assignments. Learners can complete the program in approximately three and a half years. The law school’s bar pass rate stands at 91.9, while the acceptance rate is 61.2%.
  • Loyola University Chicago School of Law: The law schools offer Weekend JD programs that require students to attend eight in-person instruction per semester. Online courses are provided through live and recorded learning sessions. Learners can complete the program within four years of full-time study. The bar pass rate of law school graduates is 77.8%, while the legal field acceptance rate is 45.8%.

Other law schools approved by the American Bar Association to offer online law degrees include:

What GPA Do You Need to Get into Law School?

Students seeking admission to law schools must meet specific academic requirements. The most common educational provision that admission officers typically consider is the students’ GPA. The GPA helps admission officers determine the student’s intellectual capabilities and project future performance during the degree program. Most law schools require students to have a GPA of at least 3.5.

What Are the Best Online Schools Offering Accredited Law Degree Programs?

Are you seeking to pursue a law degree online but don’t know where to start? Here are some of the best online schools offering accredited law degrees and paralegal programs that you might consider:

Historically, the American Bar Association barred colleges, universities, and law schools from offering online law degree programs. However, with the change of time, and advancement in the education sector, the ABA-approved certain online schools to provide law degree programs online. Despite the approvals by ABA, some states are yet to recognize law degrees earned online, preventing graduate students from taking the bar exams. Additionally, employers continue to have mixed reactions to online law degrees. While others view online degrees with lots of respect, especially the accredited online law degree programs, others still doubt the potential of the programs.

Nonetheless, online law degrees are steadily becoming popular as more students learn remotely rather than attend on-campus programs. Online law degrees are highly flexible, allowing students to work while studying. Moreover, they are relatively cheaper than on-campus programs, making them suitable for several prospective law students. The online law degrees have also met the standards set by the accrediting organization. Hence, online students graduate with the same degrees as their counterparts undertaking on-campus law degree programs.

Sources

Related Online Programs That Might Interest You

Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.