Distance Learning Schools for Becoming an Attorney: How to Choose

Becoming an attorney involves first obtaining a graduate degree (a Juris Doctorate - J.D) from a law school. Potential students entering this field should consider the program type, bar exam and program specifics of the distance educational institution they choose to attend.

How to Choose a Distance Education Program to Become an Attorney

Program Type

A distance learning attorney or law degree program should allow students to interact with one another. A program should schedule meeting via conference calls, message boards or e-mail as well as meeting on-campus sporadically, if desired. Faculty should be easily available for consultation. In addition, materials necessary to complete coursework should be readily accessible to students, preferably online. This may include LEXIS (an online law library), casebooks, treatises, online lectures and other aids.

Bar Exam

In order for an attorney to practice in a specific state, a graduate must pass the state's bar exam. Therefore, it is important when choosing a distance education attorney program to inquire what state bar exam graduates must take. If one wishes to practice law in California, he or she should make sure that the distance learning program will allow him or her to sit for the bar exam in California.
In addition, it is better to choose a school offering a distance education attorney program that is approved by ABA (American Bar Association). Graduating from a distance education law school accredited by ABA makes it easier for graduates to sit for bar exams in states different from the state in which they received their original degree.

Program Specifics

Students looking into a distance learning attorney program should consider how long he or she would be given to complete the program. Attorney programs generally take four years fulltime. If a student is working, can he or she complete a fulltime program in four years or will the school give the student longer? Another consideration is if students need to visit the school for any reason. Are exams and tests available online or does a student need to travel to the school or an exam center? Graduates must take the state bar exam in person.

List of Online Degree Program in the Study of Law

Online Juris Doctorate (J.D.) Degree Program

Distance education programs leading to a Juris Doctorate are available to participants in either full- or part-time program formats. Participants study the law and learn to analyze a client's legal problems and find the best solutions to them. Students delve into researching cases and studying statutory and regulatory laws as well as learning to develop effective legal strategies to win legal arguments and cases. Juris Doctorate students meet virtually with classmates in study groups to share educational and work experiences and support each other in their law program studies. Meetings take place online and sometimes on the phone.