You have probably been faced with the controversy over the JD degree in your time on campus. The Juris doctorate is the most common doctorate in the criminal justice world, and yet those with PhD’s have angrily protested for years about it not being a proper degree. They claim that those with a JD should not be referred to as “Doctor”, and instead be considered more as holding an advanced masters on the subject.

Kaplan University

Kaplan University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

As one of the largest online universities with a widely recognized name, Kaplan University offers a myriad of campus and online programs for both full-time and part-time students looking to efficiently advance their career.

Kaplan University is offering the following legal studies programs:

• AAS in Paralegal Studies
• BS in Legal Studies
• BS in Paralegal Studies
• MS in Legal Studies
• MSLS – Education and the Legal System
• MSLS – Health Care Delivery
• MSLS – Legal System and the Media
• MSLS – State and the Local Government

Read more or get a program guide from Kaplan University.

JD Programs

Don’t  be fooled by the academic posturing, which is all this is. JD programs are highly beneficial, and outside the few naysayers in university halls it is just as respected as the PhD.

What Will JD Programs Prepare Me For?

Unlike the PhD, which is a doctorate in a general sense within the criminal justice field and targeted by specialization, the Juris doctorate is aimed towards training future attorneys. Whatever the specification, such as criminal or corporate law, a JD will best train you for the bar exam and a career as a lawyer.

How Much Can I Make?

Lawyers are well known for their high salaries. But it also depends on what kind of law you go in to. Some attorneys make as little as $60,000 per year, while others make as much as $200,000. Your earning potential is rather limitless.

Are There Online JD Programs?

Yes, but there is a snag. You have to double check to make sure that the program you are using is fully accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA). Up until recently, they refused to accredit any distance learning degrees, but this is changing. Be certain that the course you choose is accredited, and so enables you to take the BAR exam.

Conclusion

If you have always wanted to become an attorney, JD programs are your way to go. With a Juris doctorate you will be prepared to sit your exam and get your license.

JD or EJD?

Until recently, online Juris Doctor programs were only offered by American institutions.  The JD is considered a professional degree, similar to the MD, rather than a research degree.  The primary goal of these programs is to prepare you to practice professional law.  Programs usually take three to four years to complete with full time study. They differ from other doctorate level programs because they require no dissertation or thesis.

For entry into online Juris Doctor programs, you must have a bachelors degree. Courses focus on the study of the diverse law and its applications in the courtroom. With the training provided by the program, you will be ready for entry into practice with no apprenticeship being required.

Executive online Juris Doctor programs are offered by only two online universities in the US, Concord Law School and Taft Law School.  The program is for those professionals who desire a law degree to supplement their current profession but have no intention to practice law. The degree is not recognized by the American Bar Association, and those with an EJD are not eligible to sit for the bar exam without an additional qualifying law degree. The program requires 72 semester hours and can often be completed in three years of full time study

Importance of a JD

Society’s demand for lawyers continues to grow, thus so does the importance of their role.  Without attorneys and their role in the judicial system, we would not have the law framework we have today. As a lawyer, you will serve to protect defendant’s rights, protect victim’s rights, and be a server of justice. Without attorneys, our judicial system would cease to exist in the way we know and need.

Career Paths

Beyond the obvious career path of a private law firm attorney, online Juris Doctor programs will prepare you for a wide range of other career options as well.  Other opportunities include in-house lawyers for corporations, public service attorneys, and non-profit organization lawyers.

If you are currently in the judicial field and looking for that next step, a JD may be the right choice for you.  The number of online programs is increasing, so there is certain to be a program that will fit your needs.

What is Available?

There are many different types of accredited law degrees available. Most universities with major law programs have started offering online degrees. You can choose from a bachelor’s (LL.B.) or master’s (LL.M.) degree. Many specializations are offered, such as health law, real estate law, and environmental law, just to name a few. Not all programs are offered by every institution, so it is best to research to find a program that suits your needs and interests.

Another type of accredited law degree is a Juris Doctorate (JD). This degree, along with a bachelor’s degree is required in order to sit for the bar exam. A JD can take three or more years to complete depending on the program and university.

What Should I Expect?

There is a great importance placed how well you excelled in your undergraduate program. Knowing that law school is going to be extremely difficult, some schools will even allow you to tailor your undergraduate program to prepare you for the complexity of law school. Be prepared for competition, however. Competition is just as fierce for entry into online accredited law degree programs as it is to get into a traditional on-campus program.

Importance of Accreditation

As you are reviewing of law schools, it is important to ensure that the institution is accredited. Most employers will review your college transcript to make certain your degree came from an accredited law degree program.

Accreditation agencies ensure that you are receiving a basic level of quality in the education you receive from a university. If your degree is from an accredited institution, it will tend to be recognized for the true achievement it is. Be mindful of certain universities that are viewed as “diploma mills”. These institutions can be extremely harmful to your college career.

Regardless of how difficult they are to obtain, accredited law degrees are beneficial to your career. With all of the online programs available, you are certain to find a program to suit your needs.

The Executive Juris Doctorate program is an online law  program that many executives and management-level employees can take. If you are in a line of work where being familiar with the law can really help, you will need to consider taking up an Executive Juris Doctor degree online. This is ideal for managers in health care and business. An Executive Juris program is also a perfect degree for someone who wishes to go into a self-employed career path.

Of course, if you want to become a lawyer, a Juris Doctor degree online is the program for you. It is important to study the actual Juris  Doctor degree and not the Executive (EJD) one if you want to take your state’s board examinations for lawyers and practice law. This program will typically take 3 years to complete. You will need to pass a difficult qualifying exam before you are accepted to an accredited law school. It is also important that you have a bachelor’s degree.

There are many fields of law that you can specialize in if you study a Juris Doctor degree online. While some lawyers prefer not to go into any area of specialization, you can can choose an aspect of law to be an expert in. Some of these intellectual property law, criminal law, international law, corporate law, civil rights law, tax law, and real estate law. No matter what field you may specialize in, with good experience and hard work, your Juris Doctor degree online can help you earn a 6-figure income sooner than you expected.

Just like standard on-campus programs, a Juris Doctorate online can help you reach your dream to become a lawyer. Before you enroll in a Juris Doctorate online program, you will need to have a bachelor’s degree first. Many law schools have strict admission guidelines and this will be the same with online classes. If you study in an accredited law school, you will need to pass the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT). And once you are accepted, you will spend at least 3 years studying the many aspects of law. The process is hard and long  but once you pass the state bar examination, your dream of becoming a lawyer comes true.

There are many aspects of law that you can choose from for your specialized practice. You can take up family law, corporate law, labor law, criminal law, environmental law, and others. In terms of employment, a Juris Doctorate online offers you many opportunities. Depending on your specialization, you can work for big businesses or the government. Of course, you can also work for a law firm, big or small. The possibility of putting up your own law firm will be open to you.

No matter the route you take in terms of career choices, expect to earn a lot with a Juris Doctorate online on your resume. According to reports, salaried lawyers can earn an average of $106,000 a year. With hard work and celebrated cases, you stand to earn a lot more.

What is Available?

There are many different types of online lawyer degrees available at various universities. You can choose from a bachelor’s or master’s degree in health law, estate planning, insurance law, and environmental law, just to name a few. Degree programs vary by college, so it is best to research to see which school might offer the program you are interested in.

Another type of online lawyer degrees available is a Juris Doctorate (JD), which can take three or more years depending on the program. In order to sit for the bar exam, you must have complete a bachelor’s degree and JD program.

What Should I Expect?

Competition is just as fierce for the online lawyer degrees as it is to get into a traditional on-campus program. There is a great importance placed on excelling in your undergraduate program. Some undergraduate schools will even allow you to tailor your program to prepare you for the austerity of law school.

Don’t expect the competition to end once you have graduated from law school, however. The competition for jobs is just as brutal due to the abundance of law school graduates. You will typically start as an associate with a firm and work your way up to partner. Be prepared to spend hours researching and writing briefs.

Regardless of how difficult they are to obtain, online lawyer degrees are beneficial to your career. With all of the online programs available, you are certain to find a program to suit your needs.

What Will I do?

Online law classes will prepare you to uphold the law. You will learn how to ensure that social justice happens for those who have been treated unfairly. Depending on your career goals, you can become a lawyer, paralegal, or other judicial worker.

An attorney is licensed by the state and advises client in legal matters. They may choose to specialize in one type of law, such as real estate, tax, or criminal. Paralegals work under the supervision of a lawyer and must have a general knowledge of the law. In some firms, having that general knowledge is enough. In more specialized firms, they may need to have the same specialization as the lawyer.

What Should I Expect?

You will benefit from online law classes regardless of whether you want to be a lawyer or a paralegal, and regardless of your specialty. Beyond their bachelor’s degree, lawyers are required to complete a Juris doctor (JD) degree, which typically takes 3-4 years.  Getting into a JD program can be a very competitive process.

For paralegals, there are online law classes available to help them get their associate’s or bachelor’s degree. If possible, it is best to enroll in one of the programs that are approved by the American Bar Association (ABA). Internships are another great way for paralegals to advance their education.

If you are wanting to delve into the judicial career field, online law classes may be the right option for you.  The number of online programs is increasing, so there is certain to be a program that will fit your needs. Why not start searching now? Your new career awaits.

JD vs EJD

Until recently, Juris Doctorate programs were only offered by American institutions.  The JD is considered a professional degree, similar to the MD.  The primary goal is to prepare future lawyers to practice professional law.  Programs usually take three years to complete with full time study, and differ from other doctorate level programs because they require no dissertation or thesis.

To gain entry into Juris Doctorate programs, you must have a bachelors degree. Course work focuses on intensive study of the substantive law and its professional applications. The program provides sufficient training for entry into practice with no apprenticeship required.

Executive Juris Doctorate programs are offered by only two online universities in the US, Concord Law School and Taft Law School.  The program is designed to meet the needs of professionals who do not intend to practice law but desire a law degree to supplement their current profession. The degree is not recognized by the American Bar Association, and those with an EJD are not eligible to sit for the bar exam without an additional qualifying law degree. The program requires 72 semester hours and can often be completed in three years of full time study

Importance of a JD

The importance of the role of the lawyer continues to grow, and with that, so does the society’s demand for quality lawyers.  Attorneys play a vital role in our judicial system.  They serve as protectors of defendant’s rights, protectors of victim’s rights, and servers of justice.  Without attorneys, our judicial system would grind to a halt.

Career Paths

Beyond the obvious career path of a private law firm attorney, Juris Doctorate programs prepare students for a wide range of other opportunities as well.  Other career options include in-house lawyers for corporations, public service attorneys, and non-profit organization lawyers.

If you are in the judicial field and looking for that next step, a JD may be the right option for you.  The number of online programs is increasing, so there is certain to be a program that will fit your needs.

Online Juris Doctorate Degree

from an accredited university?

A Juris Doctorate, or J.D., is conferred to graduates of an accredited law school after three years of graduate study. Upon earning your juris doctorate degree, you are then required to take the Bar Examination in the state where you intend to practice law. After successfully completing the Bar Exam, candidates receive a Bar Number that allows them to practice law.

Online Juris Doctorate Requirements

In order to earn an Online Juris Doctorate, you must first complete your bachelor’s degree. When selecting an undergraduate major, students are encouraged to study a subject that interests them. That said, however, students are encouraged to take a broad range of classes, especially those that will develop critical thinking and writing skills.

There are many different types of law in which lawyers can decide to concentrate. Some examples include: corporate law, tax law, property law, family law, criminal law, constitutional law, civil litigation, international law and labor and employment law. Lawyers can also pursue less traditional avenues of employment such as working in a non-profit organization, an advocacy group, a community legal clinic or lobbying for change or office in the political realm. Experienced lawyers can even go on to become local, State or Supreme Court Judges.

Ready to find a law school offering an Online Juris Doctorate Degree?

Select DOCTORAL –> SOCIAL SCIENCES/CRIMINAL JUSTICE –> LAW to compare online law programs now!

If you have thought about getting into law you are not alone. It is one of the most popular degrees in the country, with high-population areas like New York expected to see an incredible 10,000 graduates this year alone. With so much competition you will want to give yourself the best chance of being hired on at a firm, especially if you plan on doing anything but running your own practice. This means getting the best education possible, which means getting into the best school you possibly can. But what are the best schools for a law degree?

It doesn’t take a genius or a statistician to work out that Ivy Leagues are always the most sought after and respected colleges in the world. Of those coveted schools there are some that offer the most up-to-date and comprehensive learning program around. Add to this tuition costs, graduation statistics, financial aid programs, class size, and other variables, and you come up with a ranking of the top ten colleges in the nation for a law degree.

Learn more about the Top 10 Law Schools now.

1. Yale University
2. Harvard University
3. Stanford University
4. Columbia University
5. New York University
6. University of California–Berkeley
7. University of Chicago
8. University of Pennsylvania
9. University of Michigan–Ann Arbor
10. Duke University

Source: US News

Learn more about the Top 10 Law Schools now.