Posts Tagged ‘ Online Law Degree ’

Are you looking to earn a law degree through distance education programs? Earning a law degree online may be a challenge because online law schools are not accredited by the American Bar Association – ABA, which most states require in order to take the bar exam that is needed to practice law. However, if you still want to practice law and earn your law degree online there may be a way for you to do so.

Earning an Online Law Degree in California

California is the only exception where you can earn an online law degree and practice law. Distance education law graduates in the state of California can sit for the bar exam as long as all requirements set by the Committee of Bar Examiners of the State Bar of California are met. So if you reside in California, you can definitely look into an online law degree program to become a practicing lawyer in that State.

Take a look at how you can kick start your online law degree in 7 simple steps.

Step 1 – Determine the area of law you want to practice.
Step 2 – Research online law schools in the state of California.
Step 3 – Choose a reputable online law program.
Step 4 – Complete all pre-law course requirements.
Step 5 – Complete your legal education and pass tests.
Step 6 – Register with the California State Bar.
Step 7 – Pass the bar examination.

Can I Practice Law in other States with an Online Law Degree From California?

Because California is the only state that allows online law degrees, you will have to practice law in the state of California for a number of years before you can be considered suitable for other states. Or you can enroll in a law program that is accredited by the American Bar Association. The Master of Law program can be completed in a couple of years and will give you the qualification you need to take the bar exam in other states.

The Drawbacks of Earning a Law Degree from an Online Law School

Pursuing a degree from an online law school is a wonderful option for working adults with full-time jobs and family obligations. But, there might be a few drawbacks to earning your law degree online. If you plan to work for a law firm, they will know that your law degree is not accredited by the American Bar Association and this may limit your options and pay. So these are some of the things that you should consider when you decide to kick start your online law degree in 7 simple steps.

Earning a law degree online is an important step to starting a career in the law industry. This also provides a great opportunity for existing legal professionals to sharpen their skills and bolster their credentials to stay ahead in this vibrant and cutting-edge industry.

A law degree typically takes 3-4 years (depending on the number of courses you take) to complete and the amount of time spent studying will depend on the level of qualification and area of specialization desired. Most pre-law students complete a 4-year (Bachelor) degree program in areas such as Accounting, Criminal Justice, Political Science and International Relations. During this level of study, students will receive the relevant training needed to assist an attorney with criminal and civil cases during the preparation phase such as interviewing clients, conducting research and drafting legal documents.

Students also have the opportunity to select and focus on areas of specialization specific to their career objectives. Some of the online courses covered during a law degree program include criminal law, legal research and writing, constitutional law and civil procedures.

Upon completion, students can go on to earn a Jurist Doctor (JD) degree. They will also be eligible to sit for a written bar exam in the state in which they plan to begin their career.

Advantages of an Online Law Degree

There are several distinct advantages to getting an online law degree. The evolution of the internet is eclipsing the traditional classroom-based law schools for the more modern and sophisticated Internet-based systems that make up an online learning environment. Some of the advantages of pursuing an online law degree include:

Flexibility and Convenience: Students have the ability to earn their law degree online while working and maintaining their personal obligations. This convenience allows them to earn their degree from any convenient location and schedule their classes to fit their busy schedule.

Accessible Information: In the past, students had to endure long lectures while struggling to keep up with the professor to take notes and trying not to miss something important at the same time. While in an online learning environment, students receive lectures via streaming video and have 24-hr access to streaming videos, downloadable PDF and power point slides to replay as much as they want until they have mastered the material.

Interaction with Technology: Law students can interact with fellow peers and professors via online chartrooms, bulletin boards and emails. This allows them to discuss the law and current case studies.

Disadvantages of an Online Law Degree

Some of these disadvantages to getting an online law degree include:

Hardware Intensive: Students will need specific equipment such as a computer and internet to access coursework material.

Accreditation: Some online schools offering a law degree may have a low accreditation status.

Schedule: Synchronous classes require you to attend classes online on the professor’s schedule and that may prove inconvenient. Some online schools also require you to participate in online discussions such as forums and chat sessions and may be inconvenient if this does not fit your own schedule.