Texas’s economy grows at an average of 2.9% annually, leading to a consistent upward trend in the market for legal jobs. Bureau of Labor Statistics states that graduates with law degrees have plenty of opportunities, especially in the commerce, construction, and energy sectors. These opportunities are equally distributed to learners attending online law school in Texas or on-campus classes. However, before enrolling as a virtual law student, learners must understand a few State of Bar Texas guidelines for certification. In this blog, our experts delve into the state-approved online law schools to register at, their admission requirements, residency guidelines, costs of online law school, course structure, and credit hours for certification. We also offer “take my law exam” services for students needing help.
Admission Requirements into Online Law School Texas
The undergraduate GPA requirements for admission into law school differ among colleges. For example, Texas Tech University School of Law requires a 3.0 undergraduate GPA. Texas A&M University requires a 3.5 undergraduate GPA. The last school, the University of North Texas, only requires a bachelor’s degree in a related field. However, there are typical criteria that cut across all colleges. They include the following:
- Applicants must have an undergraduate degree and the original transcripts
- Applicants must submit personal statements highlighting their unique qualifications.
- Applicants must have a letter of recommendation from pre-law advisors or professors
Most online law schools in Texas require competitive LSAT scores (between 150–170). Still, colleges like the University of North Texas waived LSAT requirements.
The State of Bar Texas has listed 10 schools approved by the state to offer online JD degrees. They include Baylor Law School, St. Mary’s University School of Law, South Texas College of Law Houston, and Texas Tech University School of Law.
Residency Guidelines
All schools approved by the State of Bar Texas follow the American Bar Association (ABA) residency guidelines. The instructions specify the hours of online credits and the residency one must meet to qualify for certifications. Particular guidelines can be accessed from the Office of Academics. Most colleges require:
- Students to attain at least 2/3 of their credit hours or 58 to 86 credit programs to be eligible for residency
- Students to transfer credits from first-year to their preferred online schools for upper-level studies
- Students must meet all the normal JD requirements for bar-tested exams, experiential credits, and professional responsibilities.
Costs of Online Law Schools in Texas
Costs for online law schooling vary depending on the particular college. However, students should expect to pay for the following throughout the schooling program:
Enrollment fees: Ranges between $50 to $1000, especially in schools charging seat deposit fees.
- Tuition Fee: Ranges between $15000 to $35,000 per year. Non-state students pay more compared to state-students
- Study Materials: Costs for books and materials range between $1000–1500 annually. Schools charging tech fees are the most expensive.
- Bar Exam Fees: Ranges between $500 and $800. The fees apply only to students registering for bar exams after graduation.
Credit Hours and Course Cores for Online Law Schools
The State of Bar Texas requires students to pass all the cores for law schools to qualify for licensing. Additionally, the student must meet at least 86 semester credit hours. Approximately 58 of the 86 credits must be from the online schools conferring their degrees. Cyber students must have at least 19–20 residency credits from synchronous/live classes.
The curriculum varies depending on the school. However, the course cores must include the following:
- Experiential Skills: These skills are earned from legal research, moot trials, internships, clerkships, and client counseling. Learners are also assessed on their critical analysis and thinking skills.
- Civil Procedures: Cover the rules governing civil lawsuits. Credits on civil procedures cover skills in types of pleadings, orders allowed, applications, motions, statements, and depositions.
- Contracts: Topics on contracts explain the agreements and obligations enforceable by law.
- Criminal law: Explain the types of crimes and their causations. These topics also cover the defenses and the legislatures
- Torts: Cover the common torts in law and the legal remedies
- Properties: Discusses the purviews of properties, different property laws, and authorizations.
- Legal Research and Writing: These topics cover analysis of facts and their presentations.
- Constitutional Law: Topics on constitutional law discuss the amendments, penalties, court processes, and freedoms.
- Professional Responsibility: Discuss the professional responsibilities of lawyers, their ethics, duties, conflicts of interest, and relationships.
Online Law School Certifications
Degrees earned through online law classes in Texas are valid if they meet the American Bar Association (ABA) standards. The State of Bar Texas reviews the admission standards, facilities, curriculum, and faculties to ensure these standards are met. Online law schools can only be accredited after 5 years of operations. Apart from the ABA standards, the Texas Higher Education and Coordinating Board must approve schools offering online law classes to grant certifications. Graduates seeking accreditation must sit for the Texas Bar Exams administered by the Texas Board of Law Examiners.
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