Accredited Online Law Degree Program Information

Thinking about getting an online law degree and beginning a career in law? It is possible to earn an accredited law degree online from a quality law school. 

Accredited online law degree programs are not as widely offered as other online degree programs. However, there is a growing number of law schools that offer a portion of their classes in cyberspace, in conjunction with regular campus classes. A smaller, but also growing, number of learning institutions offer an online Juris Doctor degree with all course work being completed entirely and completely online.

The first law school to offer an accredited online law degree with all courses of study being completed online was the Concord Law School. Concord Law School is located in California and graduates of their online Juris Doctor degree are eligible to apply to sit for the California bar exam. Concord Law School was founded in 1998 and was first accredited by the Distance Education and Training Council (DETC) in 2000.

Another early pioneer of offering law degrees through online distance learning is the William Howard Taft University, also located in California. William Howard Taft University was founded in 1976 and was first accredited by the DETC in 2003. Several graduates of William Howard Taft University pass the California bar exam each year, with most doing so on their first attempt.  

In the last few years other law schools began offering law degree programs that can be completed almost solely online. Because of the growing interest in distance learning a prospective online law school student has several programs to pick from these days. Expect the number of law schools offering online law degrees to increase even more in the future.

A person really can get a quality education through distance learning and earn themselves an accredited law degree online. But, like any degree you may be interested in pursuing, you should explore every option open to you and compare those options thoroughly. Investigate the reputation, instructors, cost, prerequisites, and general quality of any online school of law completely before enrolling.