The wide variety of distance learning programs available to students these days never cease to amaze me. There was a time when most distance learning programs were "liberal studies" programs with no concentrations or majors, but that is not the case anymore.
A good case in point: online law schools. Yes, you can actually study to become a lawyer through distance learning. They are less expensive than what you would pay at many traditional brick-and-mortar law schools, but are the cost savings worth it?
Concord Law School recently merged with Kaplan University. Concord is nationally accredited by the DETC and regionally accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. As a result of the merger, Concord students may now qualify for Title IV student loans. Concord offers the standard Juris Doctor law degree, as well as the Executive JD.
There are limitations to an online law degree, however. Although Concord is now regionally accredited, those who complete the JD program through Concord may only sit for the Bar exam in California. If you plan on practicing law only in California that may not be an issue for you, but if you live elsewhere and want to practice law, you would be out of luck. It may be possible to become licensed in other states after becoming licensed in California, but each state has its own laws concerning this, so you would definitely want to do your homework and find out what your state's laws are before enrolling.
The JD program at Concord total $35,600 over the course of four years. The Executive JD program is $26,700 over the course of three years. That is a lot of money, but other law school programs at traditional brick-and-mortar colleges can easily cost much, much more.
Concord is not the only online law school. William Howard Taft University offers the Juris Doctor degree, as well as the Executive JD, The Master of Laws, Master of Education, Master of Science in Taxation and MBA programs. Tuition is $250 per unit for the JD degree, or about $6,000 per year. William Howard Taft University is also accredited by the DETC, and like Concord, JD program graduates may only sit for the Bar Exam in California.
The reason for this is that these distance learning law schools are not accredited by the American Bar Association, which has been reluctant to embrace distance learning law programs. Distance learning students aren't exactly home-free in California, either. All students of non-ABA accredited schools must take the so-called "Baby Bar" exam after their first year in a law degree program. If they fail, they cannot advance any further in the JD program. Bar Exam pass rates for students at distance learning law schools have historically been very low.
If you live in California and the restrictions and obstacles of studying for an online law degree haven't discouraged you yet, then distance learning law study may be an option for you. If you have never visited the Golden State and don't plan to, you may want to explore all of the opportunities available to you through other schools.
See all legal and law degree programs offered online (click here for paralegal information).
Want to learn more about earning your law degree completely online?
Read our guide about studying law online.