Accredited Online Law Schools

The increasing demand for flexible, accessible legal education has led to the emergence of online law schools that provide high-quality programs for students who may not have the option to attend traditional, on-campus law schools. These online law schools offer a wide array of legal programs, ranging from Juris Doctor (JD) to specialized graduate certificates, making legal education more accessible to a diverse student body. Three notable online law schools that have garnered attention for their academic rigor, accreditation, and student outcomes are Concord Law School, Seton Hall Law School’s Online Graduate Program, and Taft Law School. These institutions represent the growing trend of online legal education, combining flexibility with high-quality curricula and respected accreditation.

Concord Law School, founded in 1998, is widely recognized as one of the leading online law schools in the United States. As the first fully online law school to be a part of a regionally accredited university, Concord Law School is an institutional member of the Council for Higher Education and the International Association of Law Schools. It is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of the Distance Education and Training Council (DETC), which is a nationally recognized accrediting agency. While Concord is not accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA), its programs are designed to provide students with the skills and knowledge necessary to sit for the California Bar Exam. This makes Concord a popular choice for students seeking to practice law in California, where non-ABA-accredited schools are permitted to offer programs leading to the Bar exam.

Concord offers a range of legal programs, including a Juris Doctor (JD) degree and a Master of Laws (LL.M.) program. The JD program is a four-year, part-time, online program designed for working professionals who want to pursue a law degree while continuing their careers. The flexibility of the online format allows students to attend classes and complete assignments on their own schedules, making it an ideal choice for those with professional or personal commitments that prevent them from attending a traditional law school. The curriculum covers all the essential subjects of legal education, including constitutional law, contracts, torts, and legal writing, while also providing opportunities for students to specialize in areas such as business law, intellectual property, or family law.

One of the distinctive features of Concord Law School is its emphasis on practical skills training, which is integrated into the online learning environment. Students have access to a variety of resources designed to help them develop the practical skills needed to succeed in legal practice, such as simulated court cases and real-world legal challenges. This hands-on approach is essential for ensuring that Concord graduates are well-equipped to handle the demands of legal practice, especially in the competitive and fast-paced legal field.

Seton Hall Law School also offers an exceptional online legal education, with a particular focus on graduate programs. While Seton Hall University’s School of Law is traditionally known for its highly ranked ABA-accredited on-campus law programs, its online offerings are equally respected in the legal community. Seton Hall’s online programs are accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools, ensuring that students receive a high-quality education from an institution with rigorous academic standards. Seton Hall is also fully accredited by the ABA, which adds credibility to its legal programs and ensures that its graduates are eligible for the bar exam in most U.S. states.

Seton Hall offers an Online Graduate Certificate in Health & Hospital Law, a program designed for professionals in the healthcare field who want to gain in-depth knowledge of the legal, regulatory, and ethical issues surrounding healthcare delivery. Health law has become an increasingly important and specialized field, especially given the evolving regulatory landscape of healthcare in the United States. Seton Hall’s health law program is ranked among the top ten in the nation, according to U.S. News & World Report (2009), further demonstrating the strength of its online offerings. The certificate program provides students with a solid foundation in health law while allowing them to tailor their studies to their specific professional interests. Seton Hall’s online courses are taught by distinguished faculty members with extensive expertise in health law and policy, making the program both comprehensive and practical for those working in healthcare administration, policy, and law.

Seton Hall’s online law programs incorporate a blend of asynchronous coursework and live sessions, allowing students to interact with their peers and professors in real-time. This model fosters a sense of community and engagement, even though students are learning in an online environment. Seton Hall’s commitment to providing an interactive, high-quality learning experience ensures that students graduate with the skills and knowledge required to excel in their legal careers.

Taft Law School, established in 1984, is another prominent online law school offering a nationally accredited distance learning program. As America’s oldest nationally accredited distance learning law school, Taft Law School is a key player in the realm of online legal education. It is a member of the Center for Computer-Assisted Legal Instruction (CALI) and is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of the Distance Education and Training Council (DETC), a recognized accrediting body for online education. The school is also an institutional member of the American Council on Education (ACE) and the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (AACRAO), further demonstrating its commitment to maintaining high academic standards and being a part of the larger educational community.

Taft Law School offers a flexible, part-time, online JD program that is designed for students who wish to pursue a law degree while maintaining other professional and personal commitments. The JD program is completed entirely online, providing students with the opportunity to learn at their own pace while still receiving a rigorous legal education. In addition to the JD program, Taft Law School offers an Executive JD program, which is aimed at professionals who are interested in acquiring advanced legal knowledge but do not intend to sit for the bar exam. The Executive JD program is ideal for individuals working in business, government, or healthcare who want to better understand the legal aspects of their respective industries. Both programs emphasize practical legal skills and the development of critical thinking, legal analysis, and problem-solving abilities.

One of the most distinctive features of Taft Law School is its focus on delivering high-quality legal education in a non-traditional format. Students are encouraged to take ownership of their learning, with access to extensive online resources, including lectures, case studies, and discussions, which enhance the online learning experience. Taft Law School’s flexibility and emphasis on practical training make it an attractive option for students who want to pursue a law degree without the constraints of a traditional on-campus program.