Acquire The Skills To Practice Law With An Online Law Degree
Thanks to the internet, you can earn an online law degree from the comfort of your home and at your own pace. However, when it comes to studying law you need to consider a few factors. To begin with, pursuing an online degree in law poses several challenges. No online school is accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA). However, many states require that law school graduates possess a degree accredited by the ABA to be eligible for the bar exam to practice law. One of the states that allow online law graduates to appear for the bar exam is California, where you could be eligible to become a lawyer armed with an online degree from the state.
Students are required to meet specific requirements set by the Committee of Bar Examiners of the State Bar of California in order to appear for the California Bar exam. The minimum requirement for students is at least 60 semester credits. This amounts to two years of college-level work. Students also require grade point average equal or above the requirement for graduation. The other option is to pass subject matter examinations with scores accepted by the Committee. The Committee allows online learning schools to register with them although they do not accredit any schools. Online law students can sit for the California Bar if they have 864 hours of preparation and study per year with a registered online school. However, it is prudent to investigate the credibility of the law school prior to choosing one. Among the recognized schools are California School of Law, MD Kirk School of Law, Northwestern California University, and West Haven University to name a few.
Registration as a law student with the State Bar of California is essential to be eligible for any examinations. Students are required to pass a test. The test covers tort law, contract law, and other relevant laws including criminal justice. Examinations are held in June and October every year. Background checks are conducted by the Committee where each student is asked to provide relevant information; this may include references as well. The next step is to pass the Multi state Professional Responsibility Examination. The test is specifically designed to test a law student's understanding of lawyer conduct. The California Bar Exam is held in February and July each year and is spread over three days. Passing the exam makes a student eligible to practice law in California.
After a few years of obtaining online law degree to practice law in California and passing the Bar Exam you are eligible to work as a lawyer in states that permit California lawyers to take their bar exams. On the other hand, you can enroll in a Master of Law program that is recognized by the American Bar Association. It is important to understand the drawbacks of studying law online which could limit the possibility of practicing in different states. Some law firms won't offer high paying jobs to those with a degree that is not accredited by the American Bar Association. Therefore, it is prudent to pursue an online law degree with realistic expectations and a thorough understanding of the pros and cons.