Find your perfect college degree
Lawyers play huge roles in modern society, and as such, this profession is well-regarded. A law degree is a huge milestone in anyone’s career. It is also not something you jump straight into after high school. People invest significant resources and finances before they even get to start on a law degree.
Others might already be caught up in a steady career by the time they decide to pursue law, and they end up not having the time to spend, or they may not want to move to a new city even if they can pass admissions into their choice university.
A Doctor of Law or Judicial Science degree program is designed for individuals seeking the highest level of education in the legal field. This rigorous program provides students with advanced knowledge and skills to become expert practitioners, scholars, and leaders in the complex and evolving world of law and justice.
This is why taking the online option is attractive for many, and some universities are starting to answer this need.
Quick audio summary:
The Lowdown
Unlike other disciplines, law has a relatively smaller population of practitioners. There are fewer law schools and even fewer that offer an online equivalent of their on-campus Juris Doctor programs, the most advanced law degree. Online programs typically take three to four years to finish.
If you want to explore other law-related academics, many universities also offer Master in Legal Studies/Master of Laws/Juris Master programs, which are designed for non-lawyers. Others opt to earn the online Doctor of Law/Judicial Science or the Doctor of Juridical Science.
Methodology
To determine the best law school offering an online JD, you don’t only need to check the minimum admission requirements; you also have to ensure that the law school is accredited before you enroll.
Our list of the best online Doctor of Law/Judicial Science JD mentions the factors that should be considered in your decision to pursue this program. Each doctoral program on our list has these outstanding features:
- It may be offered as a 100% online program but most often delivered as a hybrid program and awarded as an Online Doctor of Law/Judicial Science (J.S.D.) degree to graduates,
- A rigorous curriculum consisting of the most in-depth coursework for Doctor of Law/Judicial Science and producing the best graduates that are qualified for top-level positions such as law program director, assistant dean, law professor, and more,
- A research-focused program that sharpens students’ skills in research and writing so they produce scholarly work of excellent publication quality,
- Develops the interpersonal attributes of a Law professional with the highest academic achievement, including effective communication, critical thinking, and problem-solving,
- Maintains Student Help Centers for online/hybrid/on-campus Online JD students, assisting graduates in navigating their careers and exploring networking opportunities,
- Utilizes easy-to-use Learning Management Systems with 24/7 access to technical assistance,
- Instructed by highly regarded faculty and teaching staff who have significantly contributed to the field,
- Provides Financial Aid assistance options,
- Properly accredited by academic organizations,
- Affiliated with associations advancing Law or Legal Studies as a discipline.
Please visit our Methodology page for an overview of our online doctorate program selection process.
10 Online Doctor of Law/Judicial Science Degree Programs
University of Dayton
Hybrid Juris Doctor
The University of Dayton’s Hybrid JD is a highly-regarded program that has one of the highest bar passage rates in Ohio.
- Either the GRE or LSAT is considered upon admission.
- The degree takes about 4 years to complete (11 terms over 3 years & 8 months).
- The degree is delivered in an online/hybrid format consisting of live weekly online classes, interactive coursework, and 2-3 on-campus experiences per year.
- The curriculum requires a semester-long, 192-hour externship.
The University of Dayton is ABA-Accredited.
What’s Unique about the University of Dayton’s Hybrid JD Program:
All online hybrid JD applicants are automatically considered for eligibility for Merit-Based Scholarships and Legal Opportunity Award scholarships.
St. Mary’s University
Online Juris Doctor
St. Mary’s University, an ABA-accredited school, offers its just-launched online Juris Doctor under its School of Law and starts in the Fall semester.
- St. Mary’s online JD is a limited enrollment part-time program (capped to 25 students to maintain learning quality)
- The program takes about 4 years to complete and has a minimum of 90 credit hours. Students must have a GPA of 2.3 to graduate, whereupon they can sit for the Texas Bar Exam.
What’s unique about St. Mary’s University’s Online JD Program:
The program contains a wide range of courses you can choose from that deal with State, National, and International Law.
St. Mary’s is the first fully online JD Program accredited by the ABA.
Trinity International University, Trinity Law School
Online Juris Doctor
Trinity offers an online JD that has a Christian service-oriented dimension. The program can be completed online, on-campus, or in a hybrid format.
- The program has 90 credit units in total (74 core, 16 units of elective courses)
- Full-time students can finish in 3 years, while part-time & Flex Track students take 4 years.
- The degree’s material is a mix of independently-completed coursework & live sessions.
- An LSAT score of 145 or higher is required for admission.
What’s Unique about the Trinity Law School’s Online JD Program:
Trinity’s On Course is its exclusive program aimed at Bar Exam preparation and starts on a student’s first day of classes.
Being a Christian Law School, Trinity’s curriculum offers an added spiritual/biblical perspective to legal practice.
Liberty University
Doctor of Law of Policy
While this degree does not lead to a Juris Doctor degree, Liberty University’s Doctor of Law and Policy is a related advanced degree that is nevertheless worth exploring. It is offered under the university’s School of Law.
- This 60-credit-hour program has an average completion time of 3 years.
- Courses in the curriculum include law subjects, public policy lawyering, and statesmanship.
- Liberty University is accredited by the SACSCOC or Southern Association of Schools & Colleges Commission on Colleges.
What’s Unique about Liberty University’s Online Doctor of Law and Policy Program:
The program features an in-depth education of law and its connection to public policy. It is an extension of legal practice and is ideal for people who currently work in law/public policy-related fields.
Syracuse University
Hybrid Juris Doctor (JDinteractive)
Syracuse University College of Law offers its Juris Doctor in a mostly online format and is taught by world-class faculty.
- Most of the program courses are fully online, a 50/50 blend of live & asynchronous material.
- You are required to complete a number of short intensive residential classes and a clinical externship program prior to graduating.
- You get access to student support services (tutoring, counseling, bar exam prep, etc).
- Syracuse’s JDinteractive is an ABA-Approved law degree program.
What’s Unique about Syracuse University’s Hybrid JD Program:
Students have the unique option of taking an Online Joint JD/MBA degree, offered together with Syracuse’s Whitman School of Management.
Abraham Lincoln University
Online Juris Doctor
Established in 1996, Abraham Lincoln University offers one of the oldest online law schools in CA and nationwide, with affordable tuition rates.
- The degree program has 140 credits total and takes at least 4 years to complete.
- The LSAT is not a requirement. ALU has its equivalent assessment that is part of the admissions process.
- Students in the program get access to various services including the Westlaw Law Library, as well as student and career support.
- The ALU is registered with the Committee of Bar Examiners, State Bar of California, and is accredited by DEAC or the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC).
What’s unique about Abraham Lincoln University’s Online JD Program:
ALU has low tuition rates of $10,100 per year, lower than most ABA-approved law schools.
The Colleges of Law
Hybrid Juris Doctor
The Colleges of Law offers a hybrid JD program that emphasizes access and aims for better representation of our societies’ diverse communities and clients.
- The 84-credit program can be taken full-time or part-time and spans 32-40 months.
- The program follows a 70% online and 30% on-site content balance.
- You are required to complete single 12-hour on-site intensives each month.
- You will join a student body of diverse backgrounds and be taught by locally connected, highly capable faculty.
What’s Unique about The Colleges of Law’s Hybrid JD Program:
The Colleges of Law has very affordable tuition rates for its online JD, and active duty military servicemen, their dependents, and veterans can get an additional reduction.
Purdue University, Concord Law School
Online Juris Doctor
Purdue offers the first fully online JD through its Los Angeles-based Concord Law School and contains a wide range of elective courses.
- The 4 Year program consists of 92 credit hours and has 3 start dates per year.
- The program’s varied elective courses include cybersecurity law, employment discrimination, contract drafting, virtual law practice, immigration, education, health, and patent law.
- Purdue Concord also offers an Executive Juris Doctor online program for those not seeking legal practice but who would benefit from having a legal education.
What’s unique about Purdue University, Concord Law School Online JD Program:
Purdue Concord Law School is accredited by the Committee of Bar Examiners, State Bar of California. Graduates can sit for the California State Bar Exam.
University of New Hampshire
Hybrid Juris Doctor (JD)
- The UNH offers a unique hybrid JD that specializes in IP and technology law.
- The part-time program has 85+ credit hours spanning 10 semesters (3.5 years).
- The program is online with 1 or 2 brief 3-5 day in-person sessions per semester.
- Online course material is a mix of synchronous & asynchronous content.
- You get access to various student services and the opportunity to participate in the UNH legal residency program in your final year.
What’s Unique about the UNH Hybrid JD Program:
The UNH Pierce is a powerhouse in IP Legal Education. The program is the only ABA-approved Hybrid JD with a focus on Intellectual Property, Technology, and Information Law.
Vermont Law & Graduate School
Online Hybrid JD
Vermont Law offers a hybrid JD that has a unique set of specialization areas related to environmental law and is one of the country’s best environmental law institutions.
- The program completion can take about 3+ years (10 semesters).
- The degree program is offered part-time. It is mostly online, with 3 brief in-person residential sessions.
- Course material consists of a mix of synchronous & asynchronous formats.
- Choose from 4 unique specialization disciplines: Environmental Law, Food & Agriculture Law, Energy Law, and Restorative Justice, fields that are crucial and timely.
- Vermont Law & Graduate School is accredited by the ABA.
What’s Unique about VLS’s Hybrid JD Program:
Vermont has the country’s most comprehensive environmental law program, in addition to its groundbreaking programs on food & agriculture law, energy law, and restorative justice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there prerequisites prior to Law school admission?
A basic requirement is a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution. An LSAT or GRE score may also be required for admission, but universities vary in terms of specifics. While for some, they might not be required, they are strongly encouraged.
How long does it take to complete a Juris Doctor degree?
Including the core courses and elective courses offered along with the final capstone requirements, Juris Doctor programs typically take around 3 to 4 years to complete.
What can you expect in a Doctor of Law degree?
The Doctor of Law degree often involves understanding U.S. law and legal procedure. This knowledge can help you prepare to pursue independent research of cases, argue on behalf of clients, and prosecute or defend lawsuits.
It is also an excellent foundation for taking the state bar exam. In law school, you will often need to hone your oral examination and oral defense skills, as these are integral to your future practice.
Unlike Juridical Sciences, which is considered the most advanced law degree, the Doctor of Law degree is not a research doctorate. Students are not required to submit a research proposal or pass a dissertation.
How much will students pay to attend Law school?
Tuition rates vary between universities, but online/hybrid degrees range from at least $700-$1500 per credit hour, and degree programs typically range between 80-over 100 credit hours. For hybrid degrees with a number of required on-campus visits, travel costs also have to be taken into account.
It depends on the university and individual student eligibility, but universities typically offer financial aid and legal scholarship options, and some have further discounts for certain categories of students, such as members of the armed forces. Consider these free online law courses, too!
How do Doctor of Law and Doctor of Judicial Science programs differ?
The main difference between a Doctor of Law (J.D.) and a Doctor of Judicial Science (S.J.D. or J.S.D.) program is the focus and purpose of each degree.
A J.D. program is a professional degree that prepares students for legal practice. It typically takes three years to complete and covers a broad range of legal subjects, including contracts, torts, criminal law, and constitutional law. J.D. programs focus on developing practical legal skills, such as legal research, writing, and advocacy, and preparing students to pass the bar exam to become licensed attorneys.
On the other hand, an S.J.D. or J.S.D. program is an advanced research degree that allows students to specialize in a specific area of law and conduct original research in that area. It usually takes 2-3 years to complete and requires students to have already earned a J.D. or equivalent law degree.
S.J.D. and J.S.D. programs are often pursued by individuals who want to become law professors or legal scholars, or those seeking careers in international law and policy.
While both J.D. and S.J.D./J.S.D. programs may involve coursework, the focus and expectations for each degree are different. J.D. programs are more practical.
Summary Points
- While traditional on-campus degrees remain the prevailing norm, the ever-present need for professionals to keep working while getting an education means more universities will likely start to offer online JD programs in the future. It is ideal for professionals pursuing top careers in the legal field.
- Generally, hybrid degree programs are also an attractive option since the in-person/on-campus component for most universities is very minimal, and online coursework takes up the bulk of the program, which means there is minimal disruption.
Additional Information:
- The Top 12 Free Online Law Courses
- Ahead of Their Time: Where the Youngest Lawyers Earned Their Law Degree
- Best Online Colleges with Online Degrees in Law Enforcement
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