Earning an online law degree is not a straightforward undertaking. But did you know that you could possibly earn an online law degree even at the confines of your own place of abode? Fair enough, this idea is now facing reality as there is the existence of online law schools which offer courses via internet.
However, if you are thinking of going to these online law schools, there are some challenges that you need to bravely face. First among these confrontations is the fact that there is no online school accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA). This is why there are 49 states in the U.S. that necessitate the law school graduates to take a degree which is credited by the ABA. In this way, you could be able to take the bar exam which is very much needed before practicing the law.
Lets us take the case of California. This state allows the graduates of the distance learning law schools to take the bar examinations presumptuous the graduates have already met the needed requirements in the bar examination. There are 7 requirements laid down by the Committee of Bar Examiners of the State of Bar of California. These necessities have to be completed by an online law school graduate so that he can take the California Bar.
First, a graduate of an online law degree must complete the pre-legal education with a minimum of 60 semester credits which is tantamount to two years of college-level. In addition, you must also have a GPA equivalent or above the required GPA for graduation. On the other hand, students who have an intellectual aptitude identical to a college student on his second year can test their ability by passing the subject matter exams and earning ratings approved by the Committee.
Second, you must have a comprehensive legal education. Students of an online law school can take the California Bar once they accepted the “instruction in law from a correspondence law school requiring 864 hours of preparation and study per year and which is registered with the Committee.” The online law schools should meet the requirements set by the Committee. The Committee, however, doesn’t promise that online schools have the quality education that is why they recommend that students should carefully examine the online law school before enrolling.
Third, you must record yourself as a law student. Prior to sitting in the examination area, you must first register to the online office of admissions in the State Bar of California.
Fourth, you must pass the four hour first year law student’s examination. The scope of this exam consists of the fundamental contracts, criminal law, and any concepts that are presented during the first year of schooling. This exam is executed in June and October every year.
Fifth, you must have a certificate of good moral character. Every California lawyer must establish a good moral character by taking the assessment coming from the Committee. All necessary informations will be asked from you. The Committee will also require you to list down your character references for a further evaluation. You driving history as well as your criminal record will also be investigated. This whole procedure takes about four to six months so you better have to set this up as soon as possible.
Sixth, you must overtake the two-hour Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination. This exam has sixty multiple choice questions all about representation, privilege, multi-state components, and practical exercises. This is very much needed in order for you to exercise law in California.
Seventh, of course you must pass the Bar Exam. Once you have completed all the necessary requirements, you are now on your way to the biggest deal which is the Bar Exam. The California Bar Exam is offered in February and July every year. It is taken three days and features examination pointers such as essay questions, multi-state components, and practical exercises. Once you pass this hard and final task, you are now qualified to practice law in California.
Now, if you have plans of practicing law to other states after few years of practicing law in California, you could do so by following again some requirements. Numerous states will authorize their California lawyers to take their bar examinations after five to seven years of executing the law. Otherwise, you could sign up in a Master of Law program credited by the American Bar Association. Certain programs will just be taken in about one to two years. This will already qualify you to take the bar exam of the other states.
Studying in Online law schools is the trend right now in order to get your online law degree. However, earning an online law degree has a tendency to keep you on practicing law in a single state for series of years. Moreover, highest paying law firms do not acknowledge many graduates of online law schools. This is why; there is a need for a careful study of the online schools prior to enrolment.
{ 1 trackback }