The three degrees that can be earned are Juris Doctorate, Master of Laws and Doctor of Juridical Science. Each degree offers its own unique advantages and provides the necessary qualifications for those looking to enter the field of law. Juris Doctorate and Master of Laws are the more widely pursued options, whereas Doctor of Juridical Science is less common. If you aim to become a practicing lawyer and sit for the Bar Exam, obtaining at least a Juris Doctorate degree is mandatory. Earning a Juris Doctorate typically takes three years of full-time study. You’ll learn about legal history, theory, and practice during your studies.
For those with busier schedules and commitments outside of their education, earning a more convenient hybrid Juris Doctorate may be the best route to take. The Covid pandemic pushed the American Bar Association to adjust its accrediting policies to include some online law schools, which it had never done before. Now it is accrediting law degree programs that include some online classes.
Villanova University is a prestigious Catholic university established in 1842 in Philadelphia. Comprising six schools, the university provides an extensive range of undergraduate and graduate degree programs for learners, including doctoral degrees. Villanova University’s law school is also highly regarded and has an excellent reputation nationwide. The Charles Widger School of Law maintains a total enrollment of just 565 students, with tuition averaging around $46,535 annually. Through its convenient online format, students can pursue a master’s in taxation degree or even earn their certification in employee benefits, estate planning, and state and local taxation. These widely-renowned virtual opportunities set Villanova apart from other online schools and provide distance learners with all of the same opportunities they would have had access to on campus.
The U.S. News and World Report ranks the Charles Widger School of Law at #53 among the best law schools in the country. On U.S. News and World Report’s list of best college rankings, the school sits at #53 among national universities, #36 among best undergraduate teaching, and #64 in best value schools. Villanova University gives students the opportunity to realize their goals and excel in their legal endeavors.
Washington University in St. Louis’s Law School is recognized nationally for its high-quality legal reasoning and practice preparation programs. WashU’s JD program places emphasis on twelve different areas, such as constitutional law & civil rights, criminal justice, or labor & employment law. For additional, topic-specific education, JD students can earn specialized certifications or take elective courses. The system also supports online master’s degrees in legal studies, laws in taxation, and U.S. law, even offering a dual-master of laws in U.S. and transnational legal practice. Classes function in an interactive, live-feed format that enables students to collaborate weekly with professors and fellow students.
Wake Forest University is among the top educational establishments in the U.S and offers an amazing post-secondary learning experience. With tuition averaging around $46,409 per year, the university’s accompanying School of Law enrolls only 167 students in total, as of 2022. These individuals have the freedom to combine their undergraduate and JD studies into an individualized dual degree program.
The online certificates and degree programs use Canvas as both a learning and a teaching medium. Wake Forest awards online MSL master’s degrees in business law & compliance, health law & policy, and human resources. With the help of specialized programs, learners have an opportunity to get a head start in their trades and specialties. This gives them a competitive advantage when it comes to finding post-graduation careers.
The U.S. News and World Report ranks Wake Forest School of Law as #41 among best law schools in the U.S. Overall, the university ranks among the top 30 schools in the nation, currently sitting at #28 among national universities, #44 in best undergraduate teaching, and #24 among best value schools.