According to the State Bar of California, more than 76% of law schools in the state currently offer hybrid online learning. Online law school California has gained immense traction, allowing learners to complete their courses at a preferred schedule. Graduates taking online programs are finding greater success in the bar exams as virtual classes become more competitive. In this blog, our online law class experts break down the journey to becoming a graduate through online schools in California. We will cover the admission requirements, curriculum, schools to register at, costs, and the steps to completing your JD degree. Also, contact us if you need help with online law school examinations and classes at student-friendly fees.
Admission Requirements for Online School California
The admission requirements for online law programs in California include the following:
- Bachelor’s degree
- LSAT Scores or GRE Scores
- LSAT Writing Sample
- Personal Statements
- Official Transcripts
- 1–3 letters of recommendation
These requirements cut across many universities. However, some online law schools in California only admit students with a GPA between 2.5 to 3.0.
Curriculum for Online Law School California: Required Vs. Electives
All ABA-approved schools must custom-tailor their course curriculums to meet the State Bar of California requirements. ABA-approved JD programs require at least 88 semester credit hours for a student to graduate. 64 credits count toward the core courses, while 24 to 28 credit hours go toward electives.
The mandatory core courses include the following:
- Family law
- Civil Procedure
- Contracts
- Criminal Law
- Torts Doctrine
- Legislation
- Trial Practice
- Intellectual Property Law
- Constitutional Law
- Legal analysis and professional skills
Elective courses and areas of focus include the following:
- Civil litigation
- Business law
- Dispute resolution
- Entertainment and media
- Health care law
- Environmental law
- Estates and Trusts
- International Law
- Constitutional and Public Law
Before joining online law school California, applicants are required to balance the core courses and the electives. The courses should align with their career goals and personal interests.
Online School California: Costs
Cyber students pursuing law in California pay between $ 50,000 to $1000 annually, depending on the school. For example, The Irvine School at the University of California charges $ 48,000. Their program allows learners to take 54 of the required 88 credits online. The remaining credit must be pursued on campus. Loyola Law School of Los Angeles charges students about $68,000 for a 4-year fully online program. The last school, the Taft Law Online JD program, charges about $93,000. This program comprises 84 credits pursued exclusively online.
ABA-Approved Online Schools in California
Students should always check the ABA approval status of the school they intend to join. Pursuing a degree with an unapproved status can impact the prestige of their online degree and, ultimately, their job search. The State Bar of California has compiled a list of all ABA-approved schools in California offering virtual distance learning. They include the following:
- Santa Clara University School of Law
- Loyola Law School
- Chapman University Fowler School of Law
- California Western School of Law
- Pepperdine University
- Golden Gate University School of Law
- University of California Irvine School of Law
- University of California Law San Francisco
- University of Southern California Gould School of Law
- University of San Francisco School of Law
- University of California Los Angeles School of Law
- University of San Diego School of Law
- University of the Pacific McGeorge School of Law
Unaccredited Virtual Law Schools in California
The State Bar of California does not accredit the following online schools, yet they offer legal studies for students:
- California School of Law
- Pacific Coast University School of Law
- Southern California Institute of Law
- San Francisco Law School
- Irvine College of Law
- Abraham Lincoln University School of Law
Students pursuing courses at unaccredited universities do not qualify for the California Bar Exam after graduation. They must take additional coursework to qualify for the exam, usually an LLM from an accredited university. Thus, becoming a licensed attorney from an unaccredited university is a narrow and challenging path.
Online Law School California: Steps to Completing the Online JD Degree
Learners pursuing their JD programs online must meet their GPA requirements to qualify for graduation. They must also complete all the core units the school recommends to align with the ABA guidelines. Most schools have minimum externship credit hours. These credit hours can be achieved through externships, clinics, and simulated courses for experiential learning. They are a prerequisite for graduation. Lastly, a learner must complete the capstone project. A capstone project allows the institution to assess students’ writing, research, and analytical skills.
Get Timely and Accurate Help with Your Online Law Examination
Graduating from an online school California is a formidable step that promises up to $108,815 annually. Don’t let challenging online classes and exams bar you from achieving success. Contact our online law class helpers now for timely and accurate help.
