Don't Let Limitations Of An Online Law Degree Stop You
Have you noticed that most schools offering an online law degree are based in California? Can you actually be a lawyer by simply completing a law degree online? Becoming a licensed attorney is not just attending law schools and earning a degree. The most crucial step so you can practice the profession is to pass the state bar.
Aba Vs Distance Learning
Presently, only California allows an online law school graduate to take the state bar exams. Pass that and you are eligible to work in law firms, join a small law office or put up your own practice. Tradition, however, remains deeply rooted elsewhere. So if you're bent on distance learning as a means to earn a law degree, keep in mind that opportunities, at least for the first five years, will be limited to this sunny state.
The main reason why an online law degree is not recognized by all other states is because the American Bar Association (ABA) is still of the mind that legal education the traditional way is the better way to prepare for an esteemed career.
So while many of the programs offered by a university or college have already been developed for the online platform, study of the law requires very involved and personal classroom interaction. And at this point, the ABA remains hesitant to accrediting online law schools, which is a requirement in all other state bar exams.
Tips About Law Schooling Online
Not all online law degree programs are recognized in California. Just to be sure you won't be wasting time and resources, verify which these are before enrolling. If these are registered with the Committee of California Bar Examiners, then you are in good hands.
Before even taking qualifying exams for any law school, be sure you are registered with the State Bar of California. There are also pre-legal education requirements that have to be fulfilled before they can consider you for admission. These are completion of at least two years of college coursework, or taking the College Level Examination Program and attaining three passing scores to test your intellectual capacity.
Although one feature of online education is being able to set your own pace for studying, an online law degree still takes around four years to complete. More particularly, the California Bar Examiners require your schooling to comprise of 864 hours of preparation and study per year.
After your first year of law school, you are required to register, take and pass the “Baby Bar” or the First Year Law Student's Exam which covers subjects taken up during the first year of studies, specifically torts, criminal law and contracts.
Schools To Consider
Completing a law degree online means being granted a Juris Doctor title. This is a four-year program offered by most online law schools. At the end of each program, you should be prepared and qualified to sit for the bar exams. After passing, you will also need to hurdle a positive moral character test to finally become a licensed attorney. Which schools can guide you to fulfill your dream?
Concord Law School – Kaplan University's law school, offers aside from a JD degree, an Executive Juris Doctor program, which can be completed in three years. The former is for those aiming to practice in the court of law. The latter is for those wanting a legal education and will not necessarily sit for bar exams. They also offer a Small Business LLM degree, for individuals needing practical knowledge and in-depth issues pertaining to small businesses.
California Southern University – Not intending to become a practicing attorney? Then CSU Law School's Master of Science in Law degree will still provide you with the legal know-how useful for domestic and international business transactions. It can be completed in two years. Otherwise, you can choose their four-year JD program provided they comply with pre-requisites for admission stipulated by the State Bar of California.
Northwestern California University – Its law school is the oldest continuously operating online school that grants law degrees to graduates. Their JD online law degree is registered with, and regulated by the California State Bar. Students who complete two years of its four-year program will be granted a Bachelor of Science in Law degree. Faculty is made up of practitioners, available for discussions and reviews. Several of the school's graduates have had success as litigators, deputy public defenders and staff attorneys of private organizations.
You will have to determine early on if online learning is the route you want to take for legal education. If the goal is to practice, you must consider the limitations. Otherwise, an online law degree is just as valuable for learning legal issues and matters that can be useful for other fields.
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