Abraham Lincoln University (ALU) offers a law degree program through its online school of law. The school was founded in 1996. Though students are permitted to complete their entire degree program online, the school also offers weeknight lecture sessions with professors for those who would like to attend on-campus sessions.
In 2001, ALU became the first school in California to bestow a Juris Doctorate degree to students who completed their law degree online. Upon graduation, students are eligible to sit for the California Bar Exam. After passing the bar, students are officially certified to practice law in California. They have the same freedoms and abilities as any other lawyer.
Why Choose Abraham Lincoln University?
One reason to choose Abraham Lincoln University is that it is convenient. The ALU online law degree program allows students to complete their studies from their home or from any place where they have Internet access. Unlike traditional law schools in which students must attend class on a specific day and time, ALU allows students to have control over when and where they study.
Another reason to apply to ALU is that the tuition and fees are set at reasonable rates. Beginning with the 2009-2010 school year, tuition for the entire year was $7,700. Year two and three were priced at the same amount. The price of the fourth and final year was set at $7,955. This means that the total cost of tuition for all four years is slightly more than $30,000. Many other public law schools charge 3-4 times this amount for tuition and fees, and the average student leaving most other public law schools has $80,000 worth of student loan debt.
Curriculum Overview
Throughout the course of their studies at Abraham Lincoln University, students must complete courses in all of the various types of law. A few sample subjects are as follows, but this list is not all inclusive:
Tort law
Criminal law
Contracts
Wills and trusts
Criminal procedures
Corporate law
Evidence
Constitutional law
Real property
Civil procedure
Community property
How to Apply
In order to successfully apply to ALU, the applicant must already possess an undergraduate degree from an accredited school. Online applications can be found at http://www.alu.edu/prospect/application.php. Applicants are also allowed to print the application and mail it to: Abraham Lincoln University 1730 W. Olympic Boulevard, Suite 400 Los Angeles, California 90015 Along with the application, prospective students must also provide transcripts of their previous college coursework. The application fee to apply to ALU is $50, and it is nonrefundable. The school also requires the student to submit a resume. Unlike most law schools, the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT) is not required for acceptance to ALU. Instead, the school administers an assessment test to judge if a student has the prerequisite knowledge that will enable their success in the program. The test is given online at the school’s website, and it measures logical and analytical reasoning ability, as well as reading comprehension skills. ALU admits students three times a year. They accept students during the fall, spring, and winter terms. After submitting all of the aforementioned materials, it generally takes one to three weeks for the school to reach an admissions decision.
