The California School of Law (CSL) is an online program that allows students to earn their Juris Doctorate degree remotely (with much of the coursework done online over the Internet). One reason students choose California School of Law is that they offer virtual classes that allow working adults to complete their studies from home during the evenings instead of at a traditional on-campus school. Another good reason to choose CSL is that the tuition and fees are much lower than traditional law schools.
Graduates from California School of Law are eligible to sit for the California State Bar Examination. They may work as lawyers, business people or college professors.
Admissions
Unlike most law schools, California School of Law does not require that students take the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT) as a prerequisite for admission. Instead, CSL asks only that students have an Associate’s or Bachelor’s from an accredited school with a minimum GPA of 2.0. To complete the informal online admissions application, go to http://www.californiaschooloflaw.com/index.php?page=apply-online.
To complete the formal application process, students must sign an electronic consent form, pay a $75 application fee, fill out the formal application online, and have their transcripts sent to California School of Law from all previous colleges attended.
Tuition and Fees
The cost of tuition at California School of Law is currently $2,500 per trimester, which equals $30,000 for the entire four years of law school. The price is low compared to other law schools that may charge three times that amount. CSL does not offer or accept financial aid. However, the school does offer many installment plans for tuition. Each of the plans allows students to pay monthly until the loan is paid in full. Depending on the monthly payment amount, students must also pay yearly interest on the amount owed.
Courses
Courses meet every Tuesday and Thursday night from 6 P.M. until 9 P.M. PST. Each student takes two classes on each of these nights. Class sessions are 90 minutes long. The school operates on a trimester system, and four month-long classes begin each April, August, and December. Regular class attendance is required.
Courses are taught by professors who have legal experience. All of the professors have passed the California Bar Examination.
Students converse with professors via virtual classrooms and e-mail.
The Juris Doctorate program prepares students to practice law upon graduation. To complete the degree program, students must complete a series of law courses. The general courses are as follows, but this list is not all inclusive:
Torts
Contracts
Criminal Procedure
Civil Procedure
Legal Research and Writing
Property
In order to graduate from CSL, students must pass the First-Year Law Students’ Exam. Throughout their four years of study, students must also complete the minimum of 864 study hours over forty-eight to fifty-two consecutive weeks.
