Part Time Law School | Degree Programs Online
It’s almost universally-accepted that getting a part time degree is a great way to either advance an existing career or pursue a new one. However, in tough economic times especially, getting one can be almost impossible.
Not only is the cost of such a degree usually prohibitive, even after financial aid, but the time spent taking classes and the cost of missing work makes traditional college almost impossible for those struggling to make ends meet.
This is definitely true for those who want to obtain legal studies as law schools are notorious both for their cost and time investment. However, a variety of online colleges have cropped up to offer lower-cost alternatives that students can manage from the comfort of their own homes while attending school only part-time.
But is a part time law degree program right for you? There are many advantages and disadvantages to consider before taking the plunge but many reasons to give it a much closer look.
The Advantages
The benefits of distance learning institutions are legion. Not only is the cost of the education usually much less, often only half as much as through a traditional college, but one can usually attend their classes & study while still going to work every day.
Also, distance colleges tend to focus more on the practice of law and the practical application pertaining to it. This is a common criticism of the mainstream law schooling system that it doesn’t prepare attorneys for the realities of legal practice.
Finally, since so much of the legal proceedings are handled digitally, including emailing court filings and reviewing contracts via fax, an accredited post graduate in criminal justice simply makes a lot more sense than in other professions. In short, eLearners don’t sacrifice as much of the “real world” application by going online as other professions do.
The Drawbacks
Unfortunately though, an online degree in law is not for a student who is pursuing to be a practicing attorney. Currently, 49 states requires that a candidate for the bar exam hold a Juris Doctor graduation from an American Bar Associate accredited school. Currently, no online universities qualify.
California is the lone exception though bar applicants there have to take extra steps if their education was obtained online. You may also be able to transfer credits from an local university to an accredited one, but that is a decision up to the university and is unlikely without ABA accreditation.
That being said, an accredited degree in law may still be useful for advancement within your current career. For example, a real estate agent with a legal background may be able to better understand contracts, wills, trusts and other things related to their profession.
Where to Go
If you’re interested in a distance education, the California Bar Association provides a list of distance education providers on its site that are registered with the state. Some of the bigger names, however, include Concord Law School, Taft Law School and California School of Law, all of which offer Jurist Doctor degrees.
However, a variety of other e-Learning colleges, such as the University of Phoenix and Kaplan University offer masters and bachelors-level degrees targeted at criminal justice and legal aspects. Though they are not Juris Doctor degrees, they may still help some advance their career goals.
Conclusions
All in all, whether graduate law degree programs are right for you is based on what you want to do with it. If you desire to become a practicing attorney, the answer is most likely a “No”. But if you want to advance within your current career or get a non-lawyer job in the legal profession, it might be a smart move.
As always, shop around at various learning programs to seek out the best prices and financial aid offers. Finally, always check the accreditation level that the bar institution has to ensure your education credentials will carry as much weight as possible.
If you do that, then your internet based part time degree can definitely help take your career to new heights.
This post was sent to us by Lior who is a marketing advisor to an MBA Abroad School from Israel
Not only is the cost of such a degree usually prohibitive, even after financial aid, but the time spent taking classes and the cost of missing work makes traditional college almost impossible for those struggling to make ends meet.
But is a part time law degree program right for you? There are many advantages and disadvantages to consider before taking the plunge but many reasons to give it a much closer look.
The Advantages
The benefits of distance learning institutions are legion. Not only is the cost of the education usually much less, often only half as much as through a traditional college, but one can usually attend their classes & study while still going to work every day.
Also, distance colleges tend to focus more on the practice of law and the practical application pertaining to it. This is a common criticism of the mainstream law schooling system that it doesn’t prepare attorneys for the realities of legal practice.
Finally, since so much of the legal proceedings are handled digitally, including emailing court filings and reviewing contracts via fax, an accredited post graduate in criminal justice simply makes a lot more sense than in other professions. In short, eLearners don’t sacrifice as much of the “real world” application by going online as other professions do.
The Drawbacks
Unfortunately though, an online degree in law is not for a student who is pursuing to be a practicing attorney. Currently, 49 states requires that a candidate for the bar exam hold a Juris Doctor graduation from an American Bar Associate accredited school. Currently, no online universities qualify.
California is the lone exception though bar applicants there have to take extra steps if their education was obtained online. You may also be able to transfer credits from an local university to an accredited one, but that is a decision up to the university and is unlikely without ABA accreditation.
That being said, an accredited degree in law may still be useful for advancement within your current career. For example, a real estate agent with a legal background may be able to better understand contracts, wills, trusts and other things related to their profession.
Where to Go
If you’re interested in a distance education, the California Bar Association provides a list of distance education providers on its site that are registered with the state. Some of the bigger names, however, include Concord Law School, Taft Law School and California School of Law, all of which offer Jurist Doctor degrees.
However, a variety of other e-Learning colleges, such as the University of Phoenix and Kaplan University offer masters and bachelors-level degrees targeted at criminal justice and legal aspects. Though they are not Juris Doctor degrees, they may still help some advance their career goals.
Conclusions
All in all, whether graduate law degree programs are right for you is based on what you want to do with it. If you desire to become a practicing attorney, the answer is most likely a “No”. But if you want to advance within your current career or get a non-lawyer job in the legal profession, it might be a smart move.As always, shop around at various learning programs to seek out the best prices and financial aid offers. Finally, always check the accreditation level that the bar institution has to ensure your education credentials will carry as much weight as possible.
If you do that, then your internet based part time degree can definitely help take your career to new heights.
This post was sent to us by Lior who is a marketing advisor to an MBA Abroad School from Israel
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