You want to go to law school, but you have an online degree…is this possible? The short answer is yes, but it depends on where you apply to and if your degree is from an accredited institution.
For example, students who achieved their B.S. in Legal Studies from American Public University (APU) went on to law school at prestigious institutions. The legal studies program at APU provides students with the necessary knowledge and skills to make them successful in today’s legal environment. It’s designed for those interested in attending law school or those interested in a variety of positions in the legal field. Students of the program are taught the fundamentals of legal research and writing by thorough examination of applicable case law.
The legal studies program at APU prepares its students for entering careers in law, and opens up the opportunity for attending law school. Here are some of the schools that APU graduates have continued onto after receiving their bachelor’s:
- University of Baltimore School of Law - Accredited by the American Bar Association, this school maintains a low student to professor ratio along with several clubs and organizations to get your feet wet in the law profession.
- Charleston School of Law - Rich with history and a high emphasis on successful passage.
- Barry University – Dwayne O. Andreas School of Law - Awards several merit-based scholarships annually.
- Loyola University (New Orleans) School of Law - Be surrounded by prestigious faculty that frequently receive teaching awards.
- University of the District of Columbia – David A. Clarke School of Law - One of the nation’s most outstanding law schools, according to The Princeton Review (2011).
- Albany Law School - The oldest independent law school in North America.
- University of Denver – Sturm College of Law - A top 100 law school with nationally ranked programs in environmental law and natural resources law, international law and tax law.
- Howard University School of Law - Member of the Association of American Law Schools, Howard Law was and continues to be a pioneer in the pursuit of law degrees and education.
- University of Mississippi School of Law - Covering a broad range of the law, this school continues to grow and develop with it’s student body.
- University of Michigan Law School - One of the oldest law schools in the nation, they hold a commitment to access and diversity along with an equally powerful commitment to excellence.
With all these great options, it goes to show that having an online degree doesn’t restrict you from achieving your goals. Whether those goals lead you to law school or not, a degree in law from APU can help point you in the right direction.
- By J. Mason
You can add Texas Tech School of Law to this list. I know because I will graduate in less than 2 months! (December 2010) Thank you AMU/APUS!!!!
I think this message should be a standard example when individuals question the reputation of AMU/APUS.
It’s definitely a huge help to have an online learning learning center to reference, especially when it comes to answering the legitimacy of online schooling.
From everything I have read regarding admissions to law schools. While the type of degree you take doesn’t predict whether you will do well in law school, there is a discussion regarding types of degrees. You have to put yourself in the place of a law school admissions official, what are they looking for?
They are looking for someone to stand out from other candidates, you can stand out through having a very difficult degree, i.e. engineering, medical, chemistry or a different degree, i.e. intelligence studies, military studies, etc. It is suggested that you enter law school as a well rounded student so the liberal arts degree is a degree program that will assist you in doing well in law school although there are many who have this degree and that leaves you looking for other factors to differentiate yourself.
Your personal statement is another area where you can differentiate yourself as well as your GPA and your LSAT but the personal statement is the most important as it tells the admissions official what you bring to the table. They want to know how admitting you to their school is going to better the learning experience for others who are also being admitted.
As far as online or traditional, I have spoke to officials at various law schools including some of the ivy league law schools and most of them don’t differentiate when conducting the admissions process. I think one of the things you need to mention when you do go to an online school is how your time management worked, i.e. worked full-time at x, spent nights and weekends doing homework and submitting assignments while attending school at AMU 3/4 time or full-time, etc.
This is a great article. Can you post a similar one about schools who admit APU/AMU alumni into their ALA accredited Master of Library Science programs?
American Public Univ. DO such a great job wit its student.not all are happy but i c most are who i know. i love this college. i am in my 1st year. i know i want to be a paralegal,help with a local/nyc/nj/philly tri state area advocate office, i love it.my boss say”GO TO THIS SCHOOL”
cause he is a attorney. i work at his law office 2x a week,he know the good LAW schools,as well,as online school he say is THE WAY OF THE FUTURE deal wit it,he say ALL people who are just”haters”lol say do not go on net.but yet it is the wave of the future i m happy.APU(can’t at all say nothing bad)course is easy for paralegal cause i KNOW it,and that give me a advantage,finish ALL classes 1st year without the FULL YEAR! 8 months. i am so happy.go for my AAS in paralegal. woudl have went for BS in legal studies,probly been done in just lil under three years.but i did not know it will be this easy and hard work but easy cause i know how to do most paralegal.love apu
glad the law school accept this great real accredited regional degree
make me think mor eabout law school.now.
1st year HAPPY FULLY satiisfied.american public univ.student 1 year to go!
Having graduated with a BA in Legal Studies from APU, I was accepted at all 7 law schools to which I applied. The Legal Studies program at APU is first class. Thanks to Professor St. Germain and all the other professors in the Legal Studies program. I would recommend it highly to anyone consideriang law school in the future.