Lawyers and those in the legal profession are sought after in almost every field. Some companies have their own private attorneys that work for them while other attorneys work for firms and provide services to the public. There are different types of specializations when it comes to the legal field, too, so finding employment can be easier than in most professions. For that reason, earning an online legal degree is becoming a very popular course of action.
Types of Legal Degrees
Although it used to be difficult to find online legal degree programs, these days it’s definitely getting easier. There are several different types of online degree programs in the legal field available so it helps to know what your career aspirations are.
The Juris Doctor, or JD, is an online legal degree program that takes around 4 years to complete. Likewise, there is the Executive Juris Doctor, or EJD, program that can benefit either those that plan on going into the legal profession or need a legal background for their other career choice. Both of these programs prepare students for being successful in passing the bar exam.
A Master’s of Science in Law is sometimes preferable for students who already have a bachelor’s degree but want more in-depth knowledge regarding an area of specialization such as Health Law, Managerial Law, or Intellectual Property Law. This online degree program can be particularly beneficial for paralegals.
Another popular master’s degree program online is the Master’s in Public Administration/Law degree. Some of the courses include Budgeting for the Public Sector, Finance, and Leadership and is fitting for students who want to work in the public sector.
There are a few bachelor degree legal programs online, too. The most popular is the BS in Legal Studies. This degree program covers a wide range of legal topics and can be good for students who want to work as paralegals or assist attorneys in other capacities.
Requirements
For a bachelor’s degree program online students must be in possession of a high school diploma or GED. A bachelor’s degree usually takes around 4-5 years to complete. A master’s degree normally requires a bachelor’s degree in a related subject matter and takes around 2 years to complete.
A lot of doctoral programs require a semester or two of residency before you are able to sit for your bar exam. Keep in mind, too, that law schools typically requires that you already possess a bachelor’s degree and have passed a Law School Admission Test (LSAT).
Employment Opportunities
Students with legal degrees can usually find a wide range of employment opportunities. You might work in the legal department of a non-profit organization or even a large company. Those that have passed the bar exam might work for a small legal firm with only a few members or a large one with hundreds of other attorneys. Some students that pass the bar exam go on to start their own practices. Students with master’s degrees might end up teaching instead of practicing law.