Options In Distance Learning Law
You won't find many practicing lawyers with distance learning law degrees. That's because no online law schools are approved by the American Bar Association. In almost any state you must have graduated from a school approved by the American Bar Association to qualify for the Bar Exam. California is the only state that allows distance learning law graduates to sit for the Bar.
Distance learning law degree requirements in California. If you want to become a practicing lawyer in California, you will need to earn a juris doctorate (JD) from an accredited distance learning law program. After you earn the law degree, you will need to apply to sit for the California Bar Exam and then pass the exam.
Once you practice law in California for five years continuously, you may be eligible to sit for the Bar Exam in other states without an approved degree.
Distance learning law in other states. You have several options If you live in states other than California and you have earned a distance learning law degree. You could check out an apprenticeship program, which would allow you to gain law experience without being a practicing lawyer. Or you could seek a master's degree in law. Finally, you may wish to take your law education into other fields - many industries highly value employees with legal knowledge. Business, healthcare administration, and journalism are fields that you may want to consider.
How to choose a distance learning law program. Many online schools claim to offer a juris doctorate with little effort or money on your part. They will say things like "earn a law degree from home in a year" or "you can be a practicing lawyer in no time." But reality is that becoming a lawyer is not easy or cheap.
If you have decided to pursue distance learning law anyway, choose a distance learning program that is accredited and respected. Get the opinions of colleagues and lawyers in professional organizations like the American Bar Association. The last thing you want is to spend time and money on a law degree that could possibly hurt rather than help your legal career.