<p style="text-align: left;">Online Master of Legal Studies <br>» Related Law and Legal Degrees » Juris Doctor (J.D.)<br><br>Online Hybrid Juris Doctor Degree Programs for 2023<br>If you are looking for a flexible online law degree that enables you to sit for the bar exam, you might want to consider an online hybrid program. Online hybrid Juris Doctor (JD) degree programs cater to the needs of working professionals by blending online coursework with on-campus instruction, allowing them to advance through the program either in a hybrid online format or through weekend-based sessions. Read on to learn about ABA-approved online hybrid JD programs, common admissions requirements and compare different types of online formats to determine which JD program is best for you.<br><br>What Is a Juris Doctor?<br>Juris doctor is Latin for Doctor of LawExternal link:open_in_new. A Juris Doctor, JD for short, is a professional law degree and academic credential conferred by law schools upon graduation. This graduate degree enables you to sit for the bar exam and earn a license to practice law. It typically consists of 85 to 90 credits and takes three years of full-time study. It is considered “the first degree in law” by the American Bar Association (ABA)External link:open_in_new.<br><br>Online and Hybrid JD Programs<br>Aspiring attorneys can earn their Juris Doctor through the many schools and programs accredited by ABAExternal link:open_in_new. Among these schools, only a few offer online hybrid JD programs. There are also law schools that offer fully online JD degrees.<br><br>To determine which one is the best fit for you, consider your career goals, learning style and budget. Here are some ABA-approved law schools offering online hybrid JD programs:<br><br>Loyola University<br>School of Law<br>Weekend Hybrid J.D.<br>Chicago, Illinois<br>Name of Degree: Weekend Hybrid J.D.<br><br>Enrollment Type: Part-Time<br><br>Length of Program: 4 years<br><br>Credits: 88<br><br>Concentrations: N/A<br>Admission Requirements:<br><br>Bachelor’s degree<br>Official transcripts<br>CAS report<br>Resume/CV<br>LSAT scores<br>LSAT writing sample<br>Personal statement<br>One letter of recommendation<br>Character and fitness questions<br>Qualifications for admissions to the BAR<br>Learn more about the Weekend Hybrid J.D. from Loyola University External link:open_in_new<br>Mitchell Hamline School of Law<br>School of Law<br>Online Hybrid J.D.<br>Saint Paul, Minnesota<br>Name of Degree: Online Hybrid J.D.<br><br>Enrollment Type: Part-Time<br><br>Length of Program: 3+ years<br><br>Credits: 84<br><br>Concentrations: N/A<br>Admission Requirements:<br><br>Bachelor’s degree<br>Official transcripts<br>Resume/CV<br>LSAT scores<br>Personal statement<br>Values statement<br>Two letters of recommendation<br>Learn more about the Online Hybrid J.D. from Mitchell Hamline School of Law External link:open_in_new<br>Seton Hall University<br>School of Law<br>Weekend Online J.D.<br>Newark, New Jersey<br>Name of Degree: Weekend Online J.D.<br><br>Enrollment Type: Part-Time<br><br>Length of Program: 4 years<br><br>Credits: 88<br><br>Concentrations: N/A<br>Admission Requirements:<br><br>Bachelor’s degree<br>Official transcripts<br>Resume/CV<br>LSAT scores<br>LSAT writing sample<br>Personal statement<br>One letter of recommendation<br>Learn more about the Weekend Online J.D. from Seton Hall University External link:open_in_new<br>Southwestern Law School<br>School of Law<br>Part-Time Evening J.D.<br>Los Angeles, California<br>Name of Degree: Part-Time Evening J.D.<br><br>Enrollment Type: Part-Time<br><br>Length of Program: 4 years<br><br>Credits: 87<br><br>Concentrations: N/A<br>Admission Requirements:<br><br>Bachelor’s degree<br>Official transcripts<br>CAS report<br>Resume/CV<br>LSAT scores<br>LSAT writing sample<br>Personal statement<br>1-3 letters of recommendation<br>Learn more about the Part-Time Evening J.D. from Southwestern Law School External link:open_in_new<br>Syracuse University<br>College of Law<br>Interactive Online J.D.<br>Syracuse, New York<br>Name of Degree: Interactive Online J.D.<br><br>Enrollment Type: Part-Time<br><br>Length of Program: 3+ years<br><br>Credits: 87<br><br>Concentrations: N/A<br>Admission Requirements:<br><br>Bachelor’s degree<br>Official transcripts<br>Resume/CV<br>LSAT scores<br>Personal statement<br>Two letters of recommendation<br>Learn more about the Interactive Online J.D. from Syracuse University External link:open_in_new<br>Touro College<br>Jacob D. Fuchsberg Law Center<br>FlexTime Hybrid J.D.<br>Central Islip, New York<br>Name of Degree: FlexTime Hybrid J.D.<br><br>Enrollment Type: Part-Time<br><br>Length of Program: 4 years<br><br>Credits: 88<br><br>Concentrations: N/A<br>Admission Requirements:<br><br>Bachelor’s degree<br>Official transcripts<br>CAS report<br>Resume/CV<br>LSAT/GRE scores<br>LSAT writing sample<br>Personal statement<br>1-3 letters of recommendation<br>Learn more about the FlexTime Hybrid J.D. from Touro College External link:open_in_new<br>University of Denver<br>Sturm College of Law<br>Hybrid J.D.<br>Denver, Colorado<br>Name of Degree: Hybrid J.D.<br><br>Enrollment Type: Part-Time<br><br>Length of Program: 4 years<br><br>Credits: 90<br><br>Concentrations: N/A<br>Admission Requirements:<br><br>Bachelor’s degree<br>Official transcripts<br>Resume/CV<br>Personal statement<br>LSAT scores<br>LSAT writing sample<br>Two letters of recommendation<br>Learn more about the Hybrid J.D. from University of Denver External link:open_in_new<br>University of New Hampshire<br>Franklin Pierce School of Law<br>Hybrid J.D.<br>Concord, New Hampshire<br>Name of Degree: Hybrid J.D.<br><br>Enrollment Type: Part-Time<br><br>Length of Program: 3.5 years<br><br>Credits: 85+<br><br>Concentrations: N/A<br>Admission Requirements:<br><br>Bachelor’s degree<br>Official transcripts<br>CAS report<br>Resume/CV<br>LSAT scores<br>LSAT writing sample<br>Personal statement<br>1-3 letters of recommendation<br>Learn more about the Hybrid J.D. from University of New Hampshire External link:open_in_new<br>Why Aren’t There More ABA-Approved Hybrid and Online JD Degrees?<br>Attending a law school accredited by the ABA allows you to take the bar exam in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, according to the Association of American Law Schools (AALS)External link:open_in_new. The ABA seal of approval means your school meets the association’s quality standards for legal educationExternal link:open_in_new.<br><br>As law schools increasingly expanded into online instruction, the ABA began to issue waivers to hybrid programsExternal link:open_in_new—those that mix traditional campus learning with online courses—so they could apply for accreditation. An ABA-approved law school must meet the requirements in every jurisdiction in the United States. Only in recent years has the ABA granted accreditation to a few fully online programs. <br><br>Attending an ABA-accredited school isn’t the only way to become a lawyer. In New York, California, 29 other states, Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia, you can sit for the bar exam with a law degree from a non-ABA accredited school (PDF, 1.3 MB)External link:open_in_new. Because some employers look for candidates who have graduated from accredited institutions, it can be more complicated to enter law practice with a degree from a school that is not accredited by the ABA.<br><br>You can research bar admission limitations to decide if the school you select will provide you with adequate legal training to enter the field. You can also refer to the ABA’s Comprehensive Guide to Bar Admission Requirements 2021 (PDF, 1.3 MB)External link:open_in_new, for guidance.<br><br>Typical Online Juris Doctor Curriculum and Outcomes<br>An online law degree should teach you to think critically and creatively, educate you on a variety of legal doctrines, and expose you to subjects ranging from economics to sociology to help broaden your perspective.<br><br>But there are differences between online law degrees, such as the time to graduation, the level of flexibility in your school schedule, admissions requirements and access to externships and other outside opportunities.<br><br>Admissions Requirements<br>Here are some common admissions requirements for JD programs:<br><br>A bachelor’s degree. Most schools don’t specify students’ college majors, but strong reading comprehension and writing skills are normally preferred.<br>LSAT/GRE scores. While most traditional law schools accept only the LSAT, many hybrid and online programs accept either LSAT or GRE scores. In most cases, the test must have been taken within the past five years.<br>Transcripts.<br>Letters of recommendation (the number can vary, but two is typically the minimum).<br>Personal essay.<br>Résumé.<br>Program Courses and Areas of Focus<br>You can expect to take similar courses no matter the law school you attend. Some online and hybrid courses are taught by the professors who teach on-campus classes. Your JD curriculum may include:<br><br>Torts doctrine<br>Civil procedure<br>Contracts<br>Criminal law<br>Constitutional law<br>Intellectual property law<br>Trial practice<br>Family law<br>Legal analysis and professional skills<br>Legislation<br>Steps to Complete Your JD Degree<br>Meet GPA requirement: Graduation requirements typically include maintaining a minimum grade point average and completing the core curriculum.<br>Complete externships: Some schools may have a minimum number of credit hours for experiential learning, which may take the form of externships, clinics and simulated courses in which you will be required to solve a legal problem as if you were practicing in the real world.<br>Finish a capstone project: Another requirement is a capstone project on a legal topic to demonstrate your analytical, research and writing skills.<br>What Is a Juris Doctor Degree Equivalent to?<br>A PhD, called a doctorate, is the most advanced degree you can earn in many disciplines, typically taking five or more years to complete. You need a master’s degree before entering a PhD program.<br><br>Many people view a JD degree as a functional, but not an absolute equivalent to a PhD. For one, a JD is not the highest law degree. You can earn a Master of Laws (LLM) or Doctor of Juridical Science (SJD) after your JD. Also, law schools require only a bachelor’s degree, not a master’s, for admission into a JD program.<br><br>But in practical terms, a JD is often viewed as the highest academic distinction for lawyers.<br><br>Is a JD Worth It?<br>A JD could open doors to opportunities beyond working for a law firm. People with legal training play a role in several sectors. They may work at Silicon Valley startups, in courtrooms, academia and for the government.<br><br>The rigorous, analytical thinking that is the foundational skill of legal training can be an asset in many professions. Government leaders and CEOs for Fortune 500 companies hold JDs.<br><br>Law can pay well, especially at the highest levels of seniority and tenure. The top 10% earners among lawyers make over $239,000External link:open_in_new, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The median annual salary for lawyers in 2022 was $135,740.<br><br>The growing number of online or hybrid JD programs can make it possible for you to earn a law degree while you keep your current job.<br><br>The flip side is that the legal field can be intense and competitive. In 2022, there were 1.33 million actively practicing attorneys in the United States (PDF, 201 KB)External link:open_in_new, according to the ABA National Lawyer Population Survey. Many large corporations are trying to save money by cutting back on outside counselExternal link:open_in_new and reassigning tasks to in-house legal departments.<br><br>To ensure your JD degree is a worthwhile investment of money and time, have a clear career goal and think through how your preferred degree program will help you meet that goal. Once enrolled, take full advantage of externships, networking opportunities and your school’s career resources.<br><br>FAQ on Online Juris Doctor (JD) Degrees<br>Are there fully online JD programs accredited by the ABA?<br>Yes. The ABA has recently started to accredit JD degree programs that are fully onlineExternal link:open_in_new, but there are more hybrid online JD programs available that combine the flexibility of online learning and the engagement of on-campus programs.<br><br>Must I apply to a JD degree program accredited by the ABA?<br>It’s not mandatory. However, if you want to be qualified to sit for the bar exam and practice law in certain states, a law degree from a program accredited by the ABA may be required.<br><br>How long does it take to complete a JD degree online?<br>A traditional JD degree typically takes three years to complete, while an online hybrid JD degree takes about three to four years in full-time enrollment.<br><br>Can I sit for the bar exam if I graduate from an online JD program?<br>Yes, if your law school is approved by the ABA and you successfully meet your degree requirements upon graduation.<br><br>Are there any online JD programs that don’t require LSAT scores?<br>Yes, some online law schools accept LSAT or GRE scores from the last five years. Students can decide to submit either LSAT or GRE scores.<br><br>Can I work full time while completing a JD degree?<br>Generally, students may work while studying. Some schools may also offer part-time enrollment to provide more flexibility for students. However, students should also take into consideration the workload of each term and make sure they can meet the graduation requirements.<br><br>How should I compare and choose the best online JD program for me?<br>Students may check the accreditation status of programs or schools, the bar exam pass rate, concentrations available, online student support options, curriculum and workload required.<br><br>What is the difference between a Juris Doctor and a Juris Master?<br>They are both postgraduate degrees. However, similar to Master of Legal Studies or other legal studies programs, Juris Master programs are designed for people who want to further their legal knowledge and may not want to become a lawyer or practice law.<br><br>Information on this page was last retrieved in September 2023.<br><br>Schools by State<br>MLS Degrees By Type<br>Related Law Degrees<br>Career Guides<br>Resources<br>About edX, a 2U company<br>Terms of Use<br>Privacy Policy<br>Cookie Policy<br>Your Privacy Choices<br>Sitemap<br><br>© 2024<br>edX.orgExternal link:open_in_new<br><br>OnlineMasterofLegalStudies.com is owned and operated by 2U, Inc., the parent company of edX</p>
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