Comments on: A GUIDE TO FIND CREDIBLE ONLINE LAW DEGREE PROGRAM

By: sinceredollars2005

sinceredollars2005 — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 02:36:14 +0000

Generally, no. There's a lot of controversy about the validity of online schooling and how effective it is. Many online schools are criticized for being "degree farms" that don't actually help their students achieve their goals. That said, it does depend on the online school. Many regular colleges have online classes, but you'll find that these are usually basic requirement courses that would be taught to hundreds of students at once anyhow. Unfortunately, I can't imagine that any online school's law degree is going to be treated as anything but an unfortunate joke.

By: Jessie

Jessie — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 13:54:02 +0000

When I was younger, I accumulated many college credits from a junior college. I got hired and then stopped going to school for a while. In my attempts to finish my degree – I took a few hours at a 4 yr university but stopped. I picked up some college credits from work related courses and then I was promoted. I then obtained a bunch of college credits from Northwestern University while attending School of Police and Staff Command. I took all of these and went to Western Illinois University who offered independent study bachelor degrees and I finally finished my degree. In LE, it is not about the specificity of the degree – its about the degree – so your area of major is not so important. Most state schools have a program like this so check them out.

By: devildogof2006

devildogof2006 — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 08:38:07 +0000

Concord Law School merged with Kaplan University in 2007 and Kaplan is regionally accredited my North Central Association. The way they word it is that "Concord is the first online law school to be part of a regionally accredited institution of higher education." They don't state that Concord is regionally accredited. I'm not sure what to make of that condition. They are also DETC accredited and CalBar registered.

This is the only JD with what may (or may not) be regional accreditation. You are correct that there are no online programs accredited by ABA – the ABA doesn't allow full or substantial online delivery. Yet…

This is the list of what most people consider to be the online law schools:
Abraham Lincoln University School of Law
American Heritage University School of Law
California School of Law
Concord School of Law
Esquire College
MD Kirk School of Law
Newport University
Northwestern California University
Oak Brook College of Law and Government Policy
Southern California University for Professional Studies
University of Honolulu
West Coast School of Law, Inc.
West Haven University
William Howard Taft University

You should personally check the accreditation and CalBar status of any that you're interested in. Don't use my list above as an endorsement of any of these – I simply know they exist and not whether they're any good.

By: dlplayer1

dlplayer1 — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 02:30:46 +0000

look at google.com

By: mercilessronin

mercilessronin — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 22:32:58 +0000

Hi,
If you are really set on law school, be sure to do some research. Most students that attend online or CA only approved law schools go into private practice. Most larger & more prestigious firms require a degree from an ABA approved law school. Also, bar exam pass rates are pretty low for online and CA only approved schools. However, if you are looking to save money and are interested in a solo practice (be sure to think about malpractice insurance- expensive!), this may be the right path for you. Good Luck!

By: corsa

corsa — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 16:09:26 +0000

looking for the best law university?

maybe you could find that law university through this page :

http://www.lawuniversity.co.cc/

Best of luck..

By: Colleen Ann

Colleen Ann — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 09:59:41 +0000

I just went through the law firm recruiting process, and from all the research I did beforehand about how to be successful as an applicant, I really don't think that an online law school is a good idea. A firm will not care that you have an MD if they're hiring you to practice law. They want to get the best lawyer, and that's going to be someone with a JD from an accredited law school, even without an MD, over someone from an online law school with a JD.

Aside from that, I would say that more than half of the law school experience is about interaction — both in the classroom and out of it. It's simply not possible to replicate those benefits in an online setting right now.

Law school is a huge investment — if you're going to do it, do it right. Study your butt off on the LSAT and go to an accredited law school, the best one you can get into (taking geography into account).

By: Cyrena A

Cyrena A — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 04:10:07 +0000

The first question to ask is if the school is accredited by the ABA. If it is not accredited by the ABA, I would be VERY careful. It is hard enough getting a job when you have a degree from and ABA accredited school; I would say you would have a major uphill climb if you didn't have such a degree. Also, you cannot take the bar (the test to become a lawyer) in many states unless you have graduated from an accredited law school.

Long and short….I wouldn't go to a 100% online law school. Its just too risky. Give it a few years and law school may have caught up to the level of undergrad online degrees.

By: devildogof2006

devildogof2006 — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 03:26:51 +0000

To be accepted into the JAG Corps you need to graduate from an ABA-approved law school. The schools you've listed aren't approved by the ABA. To my knowledge, no online law programs are ABA-approved.

By: WPMixer

WPMixer — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 22:28:19 +0000

Very inspiring! I love your “Civil PROCEEDURE” class! I also like this sentence: “‘I can’t do this’…. or ‘I don’t have the time’. Now, you can!’” That’s great! “Now you can” does not follow not having the time. According to the state bar for July 2008, only 11 out of 80 students that graduated from your illustrious school passed the bar, for a whopping 13%. So what gap are you trying to “bridge”?

Do you inform your students (e.g., victims) of their bleak prospects?