Though it might seem like online law courses aren’t worth your time or effort, the opposite is actually true.
Even non-credit online law courses can provide you with some benefits. You can expand your knowledge of the law. You can deepen your understanding of a particular type of law. You can take courses that might not be offered in your area as well.
Featured Programs
- University of Pennsylvania Intellectual Property Law Specialization
- University of North Carolina Introduction to Environmental Law and Policy
- University of Pennsylvania Introduction to American Law
- Harvard’s Contract Law: From Trust to Promise to Contract
Disclaimer: Some courses may include an affiliate link. Courses were chosen first based on the methodology with affiliate links only added after the ranking was complete.
Learning law online gives you the opportunity to learn at your own pace. It also affords you the ability to learn from professors from around the nation and the world. This will only expand your legal skill set and will help you be a more effective law student or attorney.
The task at hand when taking online law courses is to determine which courses offer you the most benefits. Our rankings help you do that by identifying 15 of the best online law courses currently available.
To make our determination, we took three factors into account:
- Affordability
- Flexibility
- Learning Level
By critically analyzing each course through these lenses, we are able to rank some of the top online law courses from providers all over the U.S. Let’s dive deeper into each of these three criteria.
Methodology to Determine the Best Online Courses in Law
Sometimes, students choose online courses based solely on affordability. And while this is an important thing to consider, it isn’t the only thing you should consider.
As you’ll see in our rankings, there are many free online law courses. There are also some that require a fee. But each course is affordable, making them accessible to just about anyone, regardless of their budget.
To create a more well-rounded picture of each course, we also examine them in terms of flexibility and learning level.
Flexibility is important so you can fit your studies to your particular schedule. With many people returning to school later in life, having family obligations, and work obligations, finding time to learn can be difficult. But each course in our rankings makes it easy for students to take part in class.
Lastly, we take learning level into account. There are courses in our rankings for beginners. There are intermediate courses as well. There are even some advanced online law courses. Having this kind of variety means you can find a course that fits your needs regardless of where you’re at in your educational journey.
Below is a more detailed discussion of these three criteria.
Affordability
Law school is not cheap. And while free or low-cost online law courses can’t replace courses in a J.D. program, they can nevertheless help prepare you to perform better in law school.
Given that law school is so expensive, finding affordable learning options is critical. More to the point, finding quality learning options is critical.
Our rankings include courses that range widely in cost. However, because we prioritize free courses and low-cost courses, they get the most points. As such, we score this factor as follows:
- Free: 6 points
- Up to $50: 5 points
- $51-$100: 4 points
- $101-$150: 3 points
- $151-$200: 2 points
- $201 and above: 1 point
There can be some bias here that is necessary to point out. On the one hand, you might balk at a free course, thinking that if it’s free, it must not be of very high quality. This is a misnomer! There are many excellent free online law courses that will help you develop tangible skills.
On the other hand, there can be bias against paid courses as costing too much. And while some paid courses are not worth the price of admission, others offer many benefits that make the price worth it.
The point is that while cost is important, you can’t judge a course’s quality based solely on its price tag. This is why we examine courses using two additional factors.
Flexibility
Taking an online course isn’t necessarily a cakewalk. In most cases, there is a significant investment of time in your studies.
This being the case, finding courses that offer the greatest degree of flexibility can really help you complete your studies.
For example, some courses do not have a strict timeline for completion. This is beneficial because it gives you the flexibility to study when your schedule allows.
As another example, some courses allow you to set and reset deadlines as needed. Having this kind of control over the layout of the course will only increase your chances of completing it successfully.
To score this factor, we use the following scale:
- Highly flexible: 2 points
- Moderately flexible: 1 point
Courses that were identified as having “low flexibility” were omitted from the final rankings.
Learning Level
The learning level of online law courses is our third ranking factor. It is an important factor because you want to ensure the courses you take are meeting you at your level, so to speak.
Let’s say that you’re an undergraduate student that’s thinking about going to law school. Perhaps you take an online law course to test the waters a bit. If you take a beginner course, you’ll likely have a much easier time understanding the course concepts and finishing the assignments. But if you overshoot and take an advanced course, you might develop an unfair assessment of how hard the study of law might be.
The point is that there are plenty of courses at each learning level. You simply need to find the right one for your current knowledge and understanding of the law.
We score this factor using the following scale:
- Advanced learning level: 3 points
- Intermediate learning level: 2 points
- Beginner learning level: 1 point
We assign more points to more difficult classes primarily because of their narrow focus on a specific topic. This means these courses represent a deeper look at a more narrow subject. This, in turn, means you might be more likely to develop specialized knowledge or skills of the law.
This is not to say that beginner courses don’t have value. Quite the contrary. But for our rankings, advanced courses get the most points.
Now that you understand the system by which we’ve ranked these courses, let’s take a look at how those rankings shake out.
Ranking the Best Online Courses in Law
#15: Introduction to Key Constitutional Concepts and Supreme Court Cases
This online law course from the University of Pennsylvania is offered by Coursera. It is a beginner course that introduces you to the U.S. Constitution. You’ll also explore landmark Supreme Court cases that have helped interpret the Constitution over the years.
You’ll begin with a discussion of the origins of the Constitution. From there, you’ll learn about various amendments that have been made. Finally, you’ll get an overview of the methods used to interpret the Constitution.
Other topics include:
- The nature of the federal government
- The structure of the federal government
- The powers of the federal government
There is also a module on individual rights and how the Constitution protects them.
This course is broken into four modules. Each module can be completed in around 1.5 hours.
Points: 8
Affordability: Free to enroll. A fee (usually around $50) might be required. Other costs are involved if you participate in a specialization (usually $39-$79 per month). Learn more about Coursera pricing. This is scored as a paid course.
Flexibility: Highly flexible. You can set deadlines to fit your schedule. Deadlines can be moved as you need. The course is completely online and available day or night.
Learning Level: Beginner
#14: Corporate & Commercial Law I: Contracts & Employment Law
Designed by the University of Illinois, this intermediate course is available on Coursera.
This course deals specifically with business law. You’ll dive deep into law topics that are necessary for passing the Certified Public Accountant exam. This includes:
- Debtor-Creditor Relationships
- Business Organizations
- Agency
- Contracts
You’ll also examine the role of government regulation in business and how regulations can impact how a business operates.
By the online law course’s end, you will have the ability to identify legal principles that govern many common business situations. Additionally, you’ll be able to apply what you’ve learned to many different business law situations.
This course requires about 23 hours of study to complete. Once finished, you earn a certificate.
Points: 9
Affordability: Free to enroll. A fee (usually around $50) might be required. Other costs are involved if you participate in a specialization (usually $39-$79 per month). Learn more about Coursera pricing. This is scored as a paid course.
Flexibility: Highly flexible. Get immediate access to the course upon enrollment. Study at your own pace. Change deadlines to fit your particular schedule.
Learning Level: Intermediate
#13: Corporate & Commercial Law II: Business Forms, Financing & Governmental Regulation
In part two of this online law course from the University of Illinois and Coursera, you’ll learn about three new topics:
- Business organizations
- Business financing
- Government regulation
Specifically, you’ll learn about the characteristics of common business entities. You’ll move on to explore bank financing, bankruptcy, and debt financing. The course ends with a discussion of the most important types of government regulation.
Other topics include anti-competitive behavior, securities transactions, and rule-making by administrative agencies.
This course should take about 25 hours of studying to complete. Though there are no prerequisites, it is recommended that Part I of this course is taken first.
Points: 9
Affordability: Free to enroll. A fee (usually around $50) might be required. Other costs are involved if you participate in a specialization (usually $39-$79 per month). Learn more about Coursera pricing. This is scored as a paid course.
Flexibility: Highly flexible. This is a self-paced course. You can begin your studies immediately. You can set and reset deadlines to adjust your schedule.
Learning Level: Intermediate
#12: Intellectual Property Law Specialization
This intermediate course from the University of Pennsylvania is actually four classes. Combined, they account for a specialization in Intellectual Property Law on Coursera.
In completing this course, you’ll learn the differences between different types of intellectual property rights. This includes:
- Patents
- Trademarks
- Copyrights
Additionally, you will learn how each of these intellectual property rights can be applied to human innovations.
This course includes lecture-based learning and hands-on exercises. You will develop a trademark strategy for a fictitious company. You’ll also analyze a patent document and explore a cease-and-desist request for a copyright.
Points: 9
Affordability: Free to enroll. A fee (usually around $50) might be required. Other costs are involved if you participate in a specialization (usually $39-$79 per month). Learn more about Coursera pricing. This is scored as a paid course.
Flexibility: Highly flexible. This course is 100 percent online. You can begin the course as soon as you enroll. Deadlines can be set and reset as needed.
Learning Level: Intermediate
#11: Introduction to Environmental Law and Policy
Environmental law has become increasingly popular in recent years. If you want a solid introduction to this field, this course from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Coursera is a good choice.
This free online law course seeks to explore protecting the environment while addressing economic activities and human liberties. These issues are considered in the context of existing environmental issues. This includes:
- Water Law
- Endangered Species
- Pollution
- Toxic Substances
This course also examines environmental risks and environmental impact analyses.
You should expect to spend about 15 hours completing this course. It is free and you can study at your own pace.
Points: 9
Affordability: Free. Other costs are involved if you participate in a specialization (usually $39-$79 per month). Learn more about Coursera pricing. This is scored as a free course.
Flexibility: Highly flexible. This course is open-ended. You can study at your own pace. Deadlines can be reset as needed.
Learning Level: Beginner
#10: Justice
This beginner course was developed by faculty from Harvard University. It is available online at edX.
This free online law course specifically examines theories of justice. This includes both classical and modern justice theories. You will analyze present-day applications of these theories in the context of a number of topics:
- Income distribution
- Same-sex marriage
- Human rights
- Property rights
You’ll also explore the subjects of affirmative action and equality.
To develop a broad range of understanding, you’ll explore texts by classic philosophers. This includes John Locke, Aristotle, and Immanual Kant. You’ll have the opportunity to examine current political controversies as well as important court cases.
Most students complete this course in about 12 weeks. Doing so requires 3-6 hours of work per week.
There is a certificate available with this course. It is a completion certificate and it costs $139.
Points: 9
Affordability: Free
Flexibility: Highly flexible. This course was specifically designed for online delivery. It is self-paced. There is a minimal amount of time commitment each week as well.
Learning Level: Beginner
#9: Introduction to International Criminal Law
This beginner course is available on Coursera. It was developed by Case Western Reserve University.
There are eight units in this class. Each unit has multiple learning tools to help you study. This includes readings, video lectures, role plays, and simulations.
Some of the topics you will explore include:
- War crimes and genocide
- Terrorism and piracy
- Pre-trial issues
- Gaining custody of the accused
You’ll also get a chance to learn about specialized defenses, the challenges of obtaining custody of the accused, and issues related to maintaining control of the courtroom.
This is a short course. Most students finish it in about 13 hours of work.
Points: 9
Affordability: Free. Other costs are involved if you participate in a specialization (usually $39-$79 per month). Learn more about Coursera pricing. This is scored as a free course.
Flexibility: Highly flexible. You can reschedule deadlines if need be. The course is self-paced. You can begin studying as soon as you enroll as well.
Learning Level: Beginner
#8: American Contract Law
This is a beginner course on Coursera. It was developed by Yale University. Like intermediate and advanced courses, it focuses on a much narrower topic. That topic is contracts in the United States.
This course gives you a solid foundation in contract law. You will explore many of the basic concepts that would be presented in a first-year law class. This includes:
- Common-law case studies
- Policy discussions
- The Uniform Commercial Code
The course is lecture-based. Course videos are offered in a range of languages to expand the accessibility of the course.
By the end of the free online law course from Yale, you will be able to understand concrete topics in contract law. This includes how a contract is created. It also includes concepts like offer, acceptance, and consideration.
This course usually takes around 33 hours to complete. It is self-paced and free, so you can take as much time to finish as you like.
Points: 9
Affordability: Free. Other costs are involved if you participate in a specialization (usually $39-$79 per month). Learn more about Coursera pricing. This is scored as a free course.
Flexibility: Highly flexible. You can learn at your own pace. The course is accessible immediately upon enrollment. There are flexible deadlines as well.
Learning Level: Beginner
#7: Fundamentals of Business Law
Business law is a crucial course for people that wish to become a lawyer. It’s also beneficial for students that want to pursue a degree in business.
This free course from Alison is a nice introduction to business law. You’ll learn about many different aspects of business and law. This includes:
- Types of business ownership
- Advantages and disadvantages of different types of businesses
- The basic principles of business law
You’ll also learn how to optimize a business so it is fully compliant with relevant laws.
This is a very short course and should only take 2-3 hours to complete. There is a certificate of completion with this course as well.
Points: 9
Affordability: Free.
Flexibility: Highly flexible. Learn at your own pace. The course is available 24/7. The class should only take a few hours to complete, which increases its flexibility.
Learning Level: Beginner
#6: CS50 for Lawyers
This computer science course is specifically designed for lawyers and law students. It was developed by Harvard University and is available from edX.
The focus of this free online law class is on mastering high-level concepts. The goal is to give you a better understanding of the legalities of technology decisions made by clients.
You will learn about these issues through case studies and lecture-based instruction. You’ll get hands-on experience in using multiple programming languages like SQL and Python.
Other topics include:
- Cloud computing
- Privacy
- Security
- Databases
You’ll also examine networking, programming, and scalability. There is a special focus on understanding what computer programmers do. Additionally, you’ll learn about the potential impacts that technology might have on your clients.
Points: 9
Affordability: Free
Flexibility: Highly flexible. This course is self-paced on your own time. Study any time of day or night. Get immediate access to the course upon enrollment.
Learning Level: Beginner
#5: Legal Studies – Laws and the Judicial System
This course from Alison is offered free of charge. It focuses on general legal studies, including the most basic aspects of the law.
You’ll also study the judicial system. You’ll learn how it is charged with maintaining law and order. You will also explore:
- Legal security
- Civil and criminal law
- How to change laws
Another topic you’ll study is how laws are made. You’ll explore judicial review and reasons why laws might be changed as well.
This is a certificate course. Upon completion of the class you will get a completion certificate.
Points: 9
Affordability: Free.
Flexibility: Highly flexible. This is an open-ended course. Study at your own pace. Access the course any time of day or night. The course is also mobile-friendly.
Learning Level: Beginner
#4: An Introduction to American Law
This is a beginner course developed by the University of Pennsylvania. It is available online from Coursera.
This course breaks down American law into six different areas:
- Contracts
- Torts
- Constitutional Law
- Civil Procedure
- Criminal Law
- Property
In each unit, you will gain a better understanding of how laws are applied in different settings. Additionally, you’ll learn how these areas of law are distinctive in the United States.
A large part of this course involves looking at the complexity of these types of laws. You’ll also get a chance to explore the dilemmas that might occur in the application of these types of laws.
This is a free course. The course comes with a completion certificate. You simply need to successfully finish the class to get the certificate.
Points: 9
Affordability: Free. Other costs are involved if you participate in a specialization (usually $39-$79 per month). Learn more about Coursera pricing. This is scored as a free course.
Flexibility: Highly flexible. This is a self-paced course. You can set and reset deadlines as needed. It is also a short course.
Learning Level: Beginner
#3: Principles of Health Law and Regulatory Issues
This course was developed by Doane University. It is available on edX. It focuses on the specific domain of healthcare law.
In taking this class, you will explore a range of healthcare law issues. This includes:
- Regulatory issues
- Finance
- Legal risk
There is also a healthy discussion of compliance within healthcare law. You’ll learn how to navigate the legalities of the healthcare system. You will also gain insights into how to change the healthcare system.
You can take this as a standalone class. You can also take it as part of edX’s Certified Lifestyle Medicine Executive MicroMasters program. This program includes nine courses and a capstone exam.
Most students complete this free online law course in two weeks. It requires just 5-10 hours of work per week to complete the course in that timeframe.
Points: 10
Affordability: Free
Flexibility: Highly flexible. This is a self-paced course. Study any time of day or night. This is a short course as well.
Learning Level: Intermediate
#2: Contract Law: From Trust to Promise to Contract
If you need to brush up on contracts, this is an ideal intermediate course to take. It was developed by Harvard University. It is available on edX for immediate enrollment.
This course is taught by Harvard Law Professor Charles Fried. He is one of the leading authorities on contract law in the world.
Over the course of this class, you’ll learn:
- What a contract is
- The legal distinction between gifts and bargains
- Common pitfalls when creating contracts
Likewise, you’ll explore how contracts can create rights for third parties, moral issues with contracts, and fraud in this free online Harvard law course.
You can opt to receive a completion certificate at the end of the course. It costs $199.
Points: 10
Affordability: Free
Flexibility: Highly flexible. This is an open-ended course. You can complete it as quickly as you wish or take as much time as you wish. You need only about 3-6 hours of study time each week to complete the class in a timely manner.
Learning Level: Intermediate
#1: International Human Rights Law
This is an advanced course offered by edX. It was developed by Université catholique de Louvain.
This free online law course studies how human rights are developed. More specifically, it examines the roles of international human rights groups and courts in protecting human rights.
You will study many topics in this realm, including:
- The rights of individuals
- Duties of states
- Mechanisms of protecting human rights
To study these topics, you’ll explore many different materials from multiple jurisdictions. This allows you to compare things like the protections of religious freedom in areas around the world.
Since this is an advanced course, it is recommended that you have demonstrated knowledge of basic international law.
Points: 11
Affordability: Free
Flexibility: Highly flexible. Study at your own pace. Access the course 24/7. You can set and reset deadlines as needed.
Learning Level: Advanced
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there any free online law courses?
Yes. In fact, there are hundreds of online law courses that are free.
In many cases, these courses are offered by well-known schools. For example, the Justice course listed in our rankings is from Harvard University. The Civil Liberties course in our rankings is also from a prestigious university – Princeton.
Most free online law courses are beginner level. However, there are intermediate and advanced options as well. Typically, these courses are not offered for credit. This is true of beginner, intermediate, and advanced courses. Sometimes you can find a free (or low-cost) online law course that is eligible for college credit. This is rare, though.
This being the case, go into a free online law course with the knowledge that it is likely not for college credit. This doesn’t mean that free courses in law aren’t worth your time, though.
For example, if you’re a new college student and you want to learn more about possible majors, a free online law course is a great resource. You’ll learn the basics of law, which will help you decide if it’s a subject you want to study in more detail.
Additionally, free law courses can be valuable assets for you if you’re already a college student. You can often find online law courses that focus on very specific subjects. This means you can gain a deeper understanding of a law topic that might have only been covered briefly in one of your traditional college courses.
Of course, advanced online law courses are ideal for law students that want additional study materials. They might even be well-suited for attorneys that need to brush up on a specific law topic.
Are there any free online law courses with certificates?
Yes. Many of the free online courses discussed in the previous question and answer come with a completion certificate. In some cases, the certificate is given once you successfully complete the class. In other cases, you have to pay for the certificate.
Either way, a completion certificate is not something that qualifies you to be an attorney. They have very little professional value, too. What they do provide, though, is documentation of the courses you’ve taken. This can be a valuable asset.
For example, if you’re a law student and you’re applying for internships, law firms might look more highly on you for having taken multiple online courses with certificates.
Again, these certificates don’t give you any professional credentials. But they do show that you are committed to studying law. They might also demonstrate to law firms that you are willing to go above and beyond what is needed. Likewise, free online law courses with certificates will help you expand your knowledge and understanding of the law.
In many cases, internship placements come down to which applicants stand out from the crowd. Combined with solid grades, favorable recommendations from your professors, and other factors, having a few certificates from online law courses could make the difference in getting an internship placement and not getting one.
What are some common online law courses?
As you can see in our rankings above, there are many different online law courses you can take.
Usually, the first year of law school covers the basic subjects in law. This includes:
- Criminal law
- Constitutional law
- Civil procedure
- Contracts
- Torts
- Property
Also during the first year, you can expect to take a course on legal research. Legal writing is a common first-year course as well.
In the second year, you can expect to take courses that prepare you for a legal career. These courses include the legal process and business administration, to name but two. Then, in the third year, you will focus on specializations in law. These courses prepare you to practice in your desired field. This might be in criminal defense, environmental law, or tax law, among many others.
Can you get an online law degree?
Technically, no. The American Bar Association (ABA) has not yet fully accredited a 100 percent online law program (see the next question and answer for more details).
However, in recent years, the ABA has accredited a handful of hybrid programs. These law degrees are offered to students who combine online and on-campus studies. Usually, the bulk of the coursework is done online. Then students come together for intensive weekends on campus for “real world” learning experiences.
The ABA has been slow to warm up to online law degrees. This is a simple matter of the kind of format law classes usually take. Class discussions in law typically use the Socratic Method. This is a learning technique in which professors challenge their students’ understanding. It involves a lot of spirited discussions. It also involves a lot of debate. Historically, the ABA has felt that an online environment is not adequate for this kind of learning.
However, as online learning has become more popular, some law schools have begun to implement the hybrid programs discussed above. Many online learning environments allow for group discussions. They also give students and faculty a chance to interact via video and/or voice chats. This gives online students the ability to benefit from the Socratic Method in real-time online.
Are there any ABA-accredited online law programs?
As noted above, there are no ABA-accredited law programs that are offered completely online. There are a number of hybrid programs, however. Some of them are listed below.
- JD Interactive from Syracuse University – This program combines online and real-world learning experiences. It can be completed in a little over three years. This degree is taught by the same professors as the on-campus program. Syracuse also has one of the top-ranked law schools in the nation.
- Online Hybrid J.D. from the University of Dayton – This hybrid degree includes traditional Socratic Method teaching online, in-person meetings on campus, and a semester-long externship. Courses include Constitutional law, torts, criminal law, and civil procedure.
- Hybrid J.D. from the Franklin Pierce School of Law at the University of New Hampshire – This is currently the only ABA-approved hybrid J.D. program with a focus on intellectual property, technology, and information law. This program is aimed at professionals with experience in the technology sector.
- Hybrid J.D. from the Mitchell Hamline School of Law – This was the first ABA-approved hybrid J.D. in the nation. This program combines on-campus intensive learning, online learning, and customizable class schedules. The program has an asynchronous structure. This means that students can finish the online part of the degree according to their own schedule.
Why is accreditation from the American Bar Association important?
Accreditation is a process by which educational standards are evaluated. With regard to law, the ABA undertakes accreditation to ensure that schools meet their standards. This ensures a quality education for law students. It also ensures that students get a similar education regardless of which law school they attend.
Additionally, accreditation is important because you must graduate from an ABA-accredited school to sit for the bar exam in most states. If you don’t take and pass the bar exam, you cannot practice as an attorney in the majority of the United States.
Can you be an attorney without going to an ABA-accredited school?
There are four states that allow you to take the bar exam without having a degree from an ABA-accredited law school. Those states are California, Washington, Virginia, and Vermont.
Three other states – Wyoming, Maine, and New York – allow you to practice law without a Juris Doctorate. In these states, you must have at least some law school experience. Additionally, prospective attorneys in these states may be able to undertake a legal apprenticeship to gain legal knowledge and skills instead of attending law school.
The obvious advantage of taking the bar exam without going to law school is the cost savings. Law school is lengthy and expensive. Bypassing law school can mean you begin work as a lawyer much faster. You can also gain valuable hands-on work experience if you participate in an internship.
The major drawback of taking the bar exam without going to law school is that you may not be able to pass the exam. The bar exam is extremely difficult. Some examinees that have a law degree still don’t pass.
While taking part in an internship will help you gain real-world experience, you must have a wide range of legal knowledge to pass the bar. This means taking it upon yourself to study for the exam. This process could take many months.
If you do pass the bar exam without having a law degree, other obstacles remain. For one, clients might be reluctant to hire you. Without a degree hanging on your wall, clients may wonder if you are actually qualified to represent them or not.
Secondly, since there are only a handful of states that allow you to become a lawyer without an ABA-approved degree, you really limit yourself in terms of the areas of the county in which you can live and work.
You have to approach this process in whatever way best suits your situation. But, ultimately, the best option for the most people is to get a law degree from an ABA-accredited school.
How long does it take to get a law degree online?
Typically, law school takes six semesters of study. These studies are spread out over three years. Each year is abbreviated at 1L, 2L, and 3L, for the first, second, and third years, respectively.
In all, law students must complete 83 hours of classroom instruction. This requirement is only for ABA-accredited law schools, though.
How much does it cost to get a law degree online?
The cost of your online law degree will depend on the school you choose to attend. Just like on-campus degrees, online degrees vary in terms of tuition, fees, and other associated costs.
For example, the JD Interactive degree from Syracuse University costs $1,925 per credit hour. For an 83-hour program, that adds up to $159,775. By contrast, the Hybrid J.D. from the Franklin Pierce School of Law at the University of New Hampshire is $1,500 per credit hour. That adds up to $124,500. Though this program is still expensive, it is much less expensive than the Syracuse program.
Bear in mind that these figures are only for two schools. Other online law degrees might be more or less expensive.
Also consider that these figures are for tuition only. This does not include any applicable fees. This cost also does not include the expenses incurred for the on-campus portions of these programs.
What are some jobs I can get with a law degree?
Taking an online law course is just the beginning toward your path to becoming a lawyer. However, with a law degree, you can pursue a variety of different careers. Below are just a few options:
Human Resources – Workers in this field can benefit from having a legal background. That’s because they are often involved in contract negotiations, hiring, and firing of employees. Employment law is an ideal specialization for this career.
Mediator – A mediator helps disputing parties resolve their disagreement without going to through the legal system. Mediation is often less time-consuming than a legal fight. It is often far less expensive, too. A law degree with training in conflict resolution is great preparation for a mediation job.
Compliance Officer – Many businesses and organizations hire compliance officers to help ensure the company is protected from lawsuits. Compliance officers often work in industries that are heavily regulated, like insurance and healthcare. A law degree with a background in insurance or healthcare law is a good fit.
FBI Agent – Many agents in the Federal Bureau of Investigation have a law degree. This is a great fit given the nature of the job. Having an understanding of civil law, criminal law, and legal processes is an invaluable asset.
Law Professor – Typically, lawyers become law professors after spending a good portion of their career practicing law. However, lawyers with less experience can find teaching jobs as well. For example, many paralegal programs hire law school graduates to teach their paralegal studies courses. Likewise, law school graduates can often find jobs teaching bar review courses and LSAT preparation courses.
OCR Staff
January 2021
Related