| Summary: With many students choosing to earn their undergraduate degrees through distance learning programs, they are quickly realizing that they can continue their higher education with graduated degrees obtained online as well. This is something that also benefits those who have already obtained their undergraduate degrees and are working, but want to further their careers while maintaining them. |
With many students choosing to earn their undergraduate degrees through distance learning programs, they are quickly realizing that they can continue their higher education with graduate degrees obtained online as well. This is something that also benefits those who have already obtained their undergraduate degrees and are working, but want to further their careers while maintaining them. You may be surprised to know that you can even earn your law degree - all through distance learning programs!
As with any other distance learning institution, you want to do your homework to ensure that the one that you choose has a good reputation within the professional community you desire to join. There are many quality online law programs that offer both online courses, and independent study courses.
Online courses have fixed start dates and require regular interaction with the faculty. You will be graded, among other ways, on how much substance your interactions have - so no “coasting” in these sorts of classes. Expect to provide lots of valuable input and high quality coursework. Independent study courses have open enrollment dates and it is more self-paced so you will not have the same weekly assignments and faculty interaction, but expect to be very diligent because this is a self-guided program and so self-discipline is key.
One thing to keep in mind when obtaining your law degree through distance learning is knowing the requirements for the state where you want to take your bar examination. A bar exam is what you will need to take after you have completed your law school courses to determine that you are qualified to practice law. Each state has their own bar exam as well as its own requirements needed to be able to sit for the exam. For example, California requires that those wanting to sit for the California bar receive 864 hours of study for each year that they completed of their distance learning, and the school must be registered with the California State Bar committee. California does not accredit online law schools, but will allow distance learning schools to register with them, so long as they meet certain requirements. This is why it is vital that you thoroughly research the requirements of both your state, and the distance learning institutions that you are considering.
After you have practiced as an attorney in your chosen state for a few years, you can go on to practice law in other states. Again, you have to verify with each state what their requirements are in order for you to sit for their state bar, but you can also complete a “Master of Law” program that will help you qualify to take the bar exam in the other states. The good news here is that there are also distance learning classes available for this program, but you want to make sure that it is accredited by the American Bar Association.
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