Best Online Bachelor’s in Law and Legal Studies Degree Programs for 2025

Badge for BEST ONLINE BACHELOR'S IN LAW &-LEGAL-STUDIES
By Dr. James Barham
Reviewed By Chloe Dembski
Published:
Updated:

Find top-ranked online bachelor’s in law/legal studies degree programs to prepare students to work as mediators, detectives, and criminal justice administrators as well as pursue related graduate degree programs.

Key Takeaways

  • An online legal studies degree is an entry point for diverse career opportunities in the area of criminal justice, particularly in law firms, federal government, and other elements of the American legal system.
  • The best legal studies programs provide online students with satisfactory to excellent student support services as part of their thrust for academic excellence.
  • Choosing the best legal studies program should include careful considerations of the costs and financial aid available.

Top 10 Online Law and Legal Studies Bachelor's Degrees in 2025

  1. University of Arizona
  2. University of Cincinnati
  3. Loyola University Chicago
  4. University of Central Florida
    +4
  5. University of Memphis
    –1
  6. Hampton University
  7. Liberty University
    +2
  8. Webster University
    +2
  9. Campbell University
    –2
  10. Regent University
    –5

2025 Ranking Update

Our Influence Ranking Engine™ leverages machine learning to track the real-world influence of colleges and universities over time. Below you’ll see which schools gained or last ground for the 2025 school year.

In 2025, the top three schools maintained their respective positions. Both the University of Memphis and Regent University lost ranking positions, while the University of Central Florida gained a total of four ranking positions.

Featured Programs

Best Online Bachelor’s in Law Degree Programs

  1. #1

    University of Arizona

    Tucson , AZ
    #3 15 Best Online Colleges for Veterans to Start Their Careers #18 Most Affordable Colleges and Universities in the U.S. 2025 #20 50 Best Public Colleges and Universities Ranked for Students in 2025 #20 50 Best Public Grad Schools 2025
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $13K

    Acceptance

    87%

    Graduation

    68%

    Student body

    54K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1255/25

    Career Outlook for Legal Studies degree at University of Arizona

    Cost of Degree: $13,277
    Expenses: $19,500
    Starting Salary: $42,185
    Salary after 4 years: $58,149
    Cost Recoup Time: 11 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Degrees

    BA in Law
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BAS in Cyber Operations

    Concentrations

    • Engineering
    • Defense & Forensics
    • Cyber Law & Policy
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    Compare school
  2. #2

    University of Cincinnati

    Cincinnati , OH
    #10 15 Best Online Colleges for Veterans to Start Their Careers #2 Best Public Colleges in Ohio 2025 #2 Most Affordable Colleges in Ohio 2025 #3 Best Grad Schools in Ohio 2025
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $12K

    Acceptance

    86%

    Graduation

    72%

    Student body

    48K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1260/26

    Career Outlook for Legal Studies degree at University of Cincinnati

    Cost of Degree: $12,906
    Expenses: $19,772
    Starting Salary: $37,439
    Salary after 4 years: $51,607
    Cost Recoup Time: 12 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Degrees

    BS in Law & Paralegal Studies
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    Compare school
  3. #3

    Loyola University Chicago

    Chicago , IL
    #1 The Best Catholic Colleges and Universities Ranked for 2024 #5 Best Online Christian Colleges and Universities for Doctoral Degrees 2025 #11 50 Best Christian Colleges and Universities 2024 #1 Best Christian Colleges in Illinois 2025
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $49K

    Acceptance

    79%

    Graduation

    71%

    Student body

    20K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1275/29

    Career Outlook for Legal Studies degree at Loyola University Chicago

    Cost of Degree: $51,716
    Expenses: $19,694
    Starting Salary: $47,817
    Salary after 4 years: $61,579
    Cost Recoup Time: 18 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Degrees

    BA in Paralegal Studies
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion time: 4 years
    • Format: Online
    Compare school
  4. #4

    University of Central Florida

    Orlando , FL
    #7 Top 20 Best Military Friendly Online Colleges Ranked for 2025 #7 Top 15 Best Online Colleges for Transfer Students in 2025 #19 Most Affordable Graduate Schools Ranked for 2025 #4 Best Grad Schools in Florida 2024
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $6K

    Acceptance

    41%

    Graduation

    76%

    Student body

    82K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1280/27

    Career Outlook for Legal Studies degree at University of Central Florida

    Cost of Degree: $6,368
    Expenses: $18,300
    Starting Salary: $38,569
    Salary after 4 years: $53,165
    Cost Recoup Time: 10 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Degrees

    BAS in Legal Studies
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    Compare school
  6. #5

    University of Memphis

    Memphis , TN
    #2 Most Affordable Colleges in Tennessee 2025 #2 Best Public Colleges in Tennessee 2025 #3 Best Colleges in Tennessee 2025 #3 Best Grad Schools in Tennessee 2024
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $10K

    Acceptance

    95%

    Graduation

    48%

    Student body

    25K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1080/20

    Career Outlook for Legal Studies degree at University of Memphis

    Cost of Degree: $10,344
    Expenses: $17,726
    Starting Salary: $32,543
    Salary after 4 years: $44,858
    Cost Recoup Time: 12 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Degrees

    BA in Professional Studies

    Concentrations

    • Legal Studies
    • Child Life Specialist
    • Required Credits: None Reported
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    Compare school
  7. #6

    Hampton University

    Hampton , VA
    #3 Best Online HBCU Doctoral Programs 2025 #4 Best HBCU Online Master's Programs #8 Most Influential HBCUs in the US Ranked for 2024 #3 Best Private Colleges in Virginia 2025
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $29K

    Acceptance

    74%

    Graduation

    46%

    Student body

    5K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1030/22

    Career Outlook for Legal Studies degree at Hampton University

    Cost of Degree: $29,162
    Expenses: $16,886
    Starting Salary: $37,727
    Salary after 4 years: $48,585
    Cost Recoup Time: 16 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Degrees

    BA in Paralegal Studies
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion time: 4 years
    • Format: Online
    Compare school
  8. #7

    Liberty University

    Lynchburg , VA
    #6 15 Best Self-paced Online Colleges Ranked for 2025 #9 Top 20 Best Military Friendly Online Colleges Ranked for 2025 #10 Best Online Christian Colleges and Universities for Doctoral Degrees 2025 #11 Top 15 Best Online Colleges for Transfer Students in 2025
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $23K

    Acceptance

    99%

    Graduation

    66%

    Student body

    131K

    Career Outlook for Legal Studies degree at Liberty University

    Cost of Degree: $15,822
    Expenses: $21,458
    Starting Salary: $31,175
    Salary after 4 years: $40,148
    Cost Recoup Time: 15 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Degrees

    BS in Law and Policy

    Concentrations

    • Pre-Law
    • Public Policy
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion time: 3.5 years
    • Format: Online
    BS in Paralegal Studies
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion time: 3.5 years
    • Format: Online
    Compare school
  10. #9

    Campbell University

    Buies Creek , NC
    #7 Best CCCU Colleges and Universities 2024 #2 Best Small Colleges in North Carolina 2024 #4 Best Christian Colleges in North Carolina 2024 #4 Best Private Colleges in North Carolina 2025
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $39K

    Acceptance

    89%

    Graduation

    56%

    Student body

    6K

    Career Outlook for Legal Studies degree at Campbell University

    Cost of Degree: $40,410
    Expenses: $23,301
    Starting Salary: $43,676
    Salary after 4 years: $56,246
    Cost Recoup Time: 17 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Degrees

    BA in Criminal Justice

    Concentrations

    • Pre-Law
    • Required Credits: 124
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BAS in Criminal Justice

    Concentrations

    • Pre-Law
    • Required Credits: 124
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    Compare school
  12. #10

    Regent University

    Virginia Beach , VA
    #13 Best CCCU Colleges and Universities 2024 #2 Best Christian Colleges in Virginia 2025 #5 Best Private Colleges in Virginia 2025 #9 Best Research Universities in Virginia 2025
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $20K

    Acceptance

    32%

    Graduation

    55%

    Student body

    14K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1140/22

    Career Outlook for Legal Studies degree at Regent University

    Cost of Degree: $20,686
    Expenses: $12,146
    Starting Salary: $34,338
    Salary after 4 years: $44,221
    Cost Recoup Time: 13 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Degrees

    BA in Government – Pre-Law
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion time: 4 years
    • Format: Online
    BA in Law and National Security
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion time: 4 years
    • Format: Online
    BS in Paralegal Studies
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion time: 4 years
    • Format: Online
    BS in Criminal Justice – Law Enforcement
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion time: 4 years
    • Format: Online
    Compare school
  13. #11

    Mississippi College

    Clinton , MS
    #12 Best CCCU Colleges and Universities 2024 #16 Best Online Christian Colleges and Universities for Doctoral Degrees 2025 #1 Best Private Colleges in Mississippi 2024 #1 Best Small Colleges in Mississippi 2024
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $21K

    Acceptance

    40%

    Graduation

    62%

    Student body

    5K

    Career Outlook for Legal Studies degree at Mississippi College

    Cost of Degree: $21,698
    Expenses: $19,667
    Starting Salary: $33,811
    Salary after 4 years: $43,542
    Cost Recoup Time: 16 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Degrees

    BS in Paralegal Studies
    • Required Credits: 130
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    Compare school
  14. #12

    Eastern Kentucky University

    Richmond , KY
    #12 Top 20 Best Military Friendly Online Colleges Ranked for 2025 #2 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Kentucky 2024 #5 Most Affordable Colleges in Kentucky 2025 #5 Best Public Colleges in Kentucky 2025
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $10K

    Acceptance

    64%

    Graduation

    49%

    Student body

    17K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1062/20

    Career Outlook for Legal Studies degree at Eastern Kentucky University

    Cost of Degree: $10,130
    Expenses: $14,535
    Starting Salary: $29,605
    Salary after 4 years: $40,808
    Cost Recoup Time: 12 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Degrees

    BA in Paralegal Science
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    Compare school
  15. #13

    Western Carolina University

    Cullowhee , NC
    #7 Most Affordable Graduate Schools Ranked for 2025 #8 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in North Carolina 2025 #9 Most Affordable Colleges in North Carolina 2024 #9 Best Public Colleges in North Carolina 2025
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $4K

    Acceptance

    85%

    Graduation

    61%

    Student body

    14K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1130/22

    Career Outlook for Legal Studies degree at Western Carolina University

    Cost of Degree: $4,532
    Expenses: $15,787
    Starting Salary: $31,111
    Salary after 4 years: $42,885
    Cost Recoup Time: 10 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Degrees

    BSBA in Business Administration and Law
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    Compare school
  16. #14

    National University

    San Diego , CA
    #1 Best Online Bachelor's in Cybersecurity in California 2025 #1 Best Online Bachelor's in Strategic Communications Degree Programs #3 Fastest Accelerated Online Doctorate of Cybersecurity #3 Best Online Bachelor's in Math Degree Programs Ranked for 2025
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $13K

    Graduation

    22%

    Student body

    29K

    Career Outlook for Legal Studies degree at National University

    Cost of Degree: $13,320
    Starting Salary: $44,429
    Salary after 4 years: $57,215

    Online Degrees

    BA in Pre-Law Studies
    • Required Credits: 180
    • Completion time: 4.5-5.5 years
    • Format: Online
    Compare school
  18. #15

    Purdue Global

    West Lafayette , IN
    #4 Online Colleges with the Most Generous Financial Aid in 2025 #12 Most Affordable Online Colleges Ranked for Students 2024 #5 Most Affordable Colleges in Indiana 2024 #8 Best Public Colleges in Indiana 2025
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $10K

    Graduation

    20%

    Student body

    66K

    Online Degrees

    BS in Legal Support and Services
    • Required Credits: 180
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    Compare school
  19. #16

    Keiser University

    Fort Lauderdale , FL
    #10 Best Private Colleges in Florida 2024 #1 Best Online Doctorate in Business Administration Degree Programs #2 Best Online Associate in Fire Science Degree Programs #2 Best Online Bachelor's in Cybersecurity in Florida 2025
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $23K

    Acceptance

    97%

    Graduation

    58%

    Student body

    32K

    Career Outlook for Legal Studies degree at Keiser University

    Cost of Degree: $24,136
    Expenses: $26,450
    Starting Salary: $26,431
    Salary after 4 years: $34,038
    Cost Recoup Time: 20 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Degrees

    BA in Legal Studies
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    Compare school
  21. #18

    Wilmington University

    New Castle , DE
    #1 Best Private Colleges in Delaware 2024 #3 Best Colleges in Delaware 2025 #3 Best Grad Schools in Delaware 2024 #3 Best Research Universities in Delaware 2025
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $12K

    Graduation

    20%

    Student body

    19K

    Career Outlook for Legal Studies degree at Wilmington University

    Cost of Degree: $12,330
    Starting Salary: $35,091
    Salary after 4 years: $45,190

    Online Degrees

    BS in Law, Policy, and Political Science
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion time: 4 years
    • Format: Online
    Compare school
  24. #20

    West Texas A&M University

    Canyon , TX
    #14 Best Colleges and Universities for Biology Degrees 2025 #4 Best Online Bachelor's in Biology 2025 #9 Best Online Bachelor's in Math Degree Programs Ranked for 2025 #11 Best Online Bachelor's in Strategic Communications Degree Programs
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $9K

    Acceptance

    92%

    Graduation

    45%

    Student body

    11K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1050/20

    Career Outlook for Legal Studies degree at West Texas A&M University

    Cost of Degree: $9,101
    Expenses: $15,503
    Starting Salary: $35,179
    Salary after 4 years: $48,492
    Cost Recoup Time: 10 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Degrees

    BBA in Economics

    Concentrations

    • Law and Economics Specialization
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion time: 4-5 years
    • Format: Online
    BAAS in Applied Arts and Sciences

    Concentrations

    • Legal Studies
    • Business Law and Ethics
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion time: 4-5 years
    • Format: Online
    Compare school
  25. #21

    Christian Brothers University

    Memphis , TN
    #9 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Tennessee 2025 #9 Best Christian Colleges in Tennessee 2025 #16 Best Online Bachelor’s in Public Administration Degree Programs for 2025 #17 Best Online Colleges in Tennessee 2024
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $36K

    Acceptance

    87%

    Graduation

    60%

    Student body

    2K

    Career Outlook for Legal Studies degree at Christian Brothers University

    Cost of Degree: $37,300
    Expenses: $14,252
    Starting Salary: $37,652
    Salary after 4 years: $48,488
    Cost Recoup Time: 17 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Degrees

    BA in Professional Psychology; Organizational Psychology

    Concentrations

    • Business Law
    • Microeconomics
    • Macroeconomics
    • Organization and Management
    • International Business
    • Human Resources Management
    • Marketing
    • Industrial and Organizational Psychology
    • Required Credits: None Reported
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Professional Psychology; Criminal Justice

    Concentrations

    • Criminal Law
    • Public Administration
    • Criminal Justice
    • Criminology
    • Corrections
    • Policing
    • Juvenile Justice
    • Required Credits: None Reported
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    Compare school
  26. #22

    Utica University

    Utica , NY
    #1 Best Online Bachelor's in Network Administration Degree Programs for 2024 #4 Best Online Master’s in Forensics Degree Programs 2025 #8 Best Online Bachelor's in Cybersecurity Degree Programs in New York #12 Best Online Doctorate of Physical Therapy Programs (PhDs)
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $24K

    Acceptance

    81%

    Graduation

    58%

    Student body

    5K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1167/27

    Career Outlook for Legal Studies degree at Utica University

    Cost of Degree: $24,308
    Expenses: $15,883
    Starting Salary: $36,597
    Salary after 4 years: $47,130
    Cost Recoup Time: 15 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Degrees

    BS in Criminal Justice

    Concentrations

    • Legal Issues in Criminal Justice
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion time: 4-5 years
    • Format: Online
    Compare school
  27. #23

    Bellevue University

    Bellevue , NE
    #7 Most Affordable Online Colleges Ranked for Students 2024 #2 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Nebraska 2024 #3 Best Private Colleges in Nebraska 2025 #4 Best Grad Schools in Nebraska 2025
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $9K

    Graduation

    41%

    Student body

    19K

    Career Outlook for Legal Studies degree at Bellevue University

    Cost of Degree: $8,886
    Expenses: $16,440
    Starting Salary: $45,558
    Salary after 4 years: $58,670
    Cost Recoup Time: 9 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Degrees

    BS in Legal Studies
    • Required Credits: 127
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    Compare school
  28. #24

    Missouri Western State University

    Saint Joseph , MO
    #6 Best Online Associate Degrees in Missouri 2024 #8 Best Online Master’s in Forensics Degree Programs 2025 #12 Best Online Associate in Paralegal Studies #14 Best Online MBA Programs in Missouri
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $8K

    Graduation

    41%

    Student body

    5K

    Career Outlook for Legal Studies degree at Missouri Western State University

    Cost of Degree: $8,970
    Expenses: $14,845
    Starting Salary: $28,776
    Salary after 4 years: $39,666
    Cost Recoup Time: 12 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Degrees

    BS in Criminal Justice

    Concentrations

    • Legal Studies
    • Corrections
    • Juvenile Justice
    • Law Enforcement
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    Compare school

Career Outlook for Students with Legal Studies Degree

Go to Degree Finder tool

Legal Studies

Degree Level: Bachelor's

  • Location: The U.S. (Private Schools)
  • Avg. Cost of Degree*: $10,436
  • Avg. Expenses*: $18,340
  • Avg. Starting Salary*: $39,227
  • Avg. Salary after 4 Years*: $54,072
  • Avg. Cost Recoup Time**: 11 years
  • Job Growth: 1.16%
  • Number of Jobs: 413,500
  • * denotes ‘annually’
  • ** denotes ‘at 15% of annual salary’

Career Salaries

CareerJob GrowthAvg. Salary
Legal Support Workers, All Other1.06%$67,700
Paralegals and Legal Assistants1.17%$60,970

Top Industries

IndustryAvg. Salary
Legal Support Workers, All Other$67,700
Paralegals and Legal Assistants$60,970
Data from The Bureau of Labor Statistics, The Department of Education College Scorecard, The Department of Education NCES, and The Council for Community and Economic Research.

Exploring the Online Bachelor’s in Law and Legal Studies

Students in online bachelor’s in law and legal studies programs aspire to become legal professionals, among the highest-paid group of occupations. The nation’s Bureau of Labor Statistics explains that legal occupations earned $82,430 in median annual wage in May 2021; in comparison, the median annual wage for all occupations was $45,760.

The growth in employment among legal professionals is also faster than average at 10% (2020-2030). Students pursuing law and legal studies bachelor’s degrees can look forward to about 131,000 new jobs and 110,000 openings for replacements over the 10-year period. Legal assistants, legal secretaries, and court reporters are a few of these occupations.

Preparatory Degree for Entry into Law Schools

Note that many legal professionals must pursue more advanced education beyond a bachelor’s degree. Judges, hearing officers, and lawyers, for example, possess either a professional degree or a doctoral degree. Lawyers spend a minimum of three years in law schools accredited by the American Bar Association.

A bachelor’s degree in law and legal studies is among the best undergraduate degrees to get into the best law schools. Prospective students will also be required to pass the Law Admission Test (LSAT), a standard measurement of readiness for law school.

The education and training acquired in the best bachelor’s degree in law and legal studies programs is an excellent preparation for the LSAT.

But even if you don’t proceed to law school and become a lawyer, you will benefit from earning a bachelor’s in law and legal studies degree! You will acquire technical skills in reading and researching legal documents, providing legal support services, and interpreting legal concepts and principles. Your critical thinking, analytical thinking and communication skills will be better because of your online education, too.

Admission Requirements

Online bachelor’s in law and legal studies programs have highly selective admissions criteria because of the nature of the legal profession. Prospective students should possess either a high school diploma or an associate degree, minimum, as well as submit:

  • A completed application
  • Official transcripts from schools attended
  • Standardized test scores
  • Letters of recommendation
  • Essays with specific formats recommended by the program
  • Current resume

Many online programs also interview prospective students who have been shortlisted to determine their suitability.

Cost and Financial Aid

Law and legal studies degree programs have among the most expensive tuition structures, a cause for concern among prospective students. The tuition costs ranged from $22,000 to nearly $75,000 per year, and it doesn’t include other fees like technology fees.

In-state students may pay lower per-credit costs than out-of-state students but there are online programs that charge the same per-credit fees for all students.

Due to these costs, prospective students must look into the financial aid options in law schools offering bachelor’s in law and legal studies programs.

Frequently Asked Questions About Law/Legal Studies Degrees

Earning a bachelor’s degree in law can help foster negotiation, problem-solving, and public speaking skills, preparing graduates for success in a variety of careers.

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In about four to five years, students can complete the roughly 120 required credits either online or in person.

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Students will study legal writing, ethics, and legal theory as well as current issues in law, best practices in negotiation, and the ins and outs of litigation. Programs may also allow students to choose a concentration, like business or environmental law.

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Upon graduation, individuals will be prepared to work as mediators, detectives, and criminal justice administrators as well as pursue related graduate degree programs.

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Learn more about how to major in law.

What Goes into our Online Bachelor’s in Law and Legal Studies Ranking Process

These 10 online bachelor’s degree in law and legal studies programs are offered by regionally accredited colleges and universities. Regional accreditation is considered the highest level of accreditation because it’s proof of compliance with academic standards of higher education.

Many online programs also have programmatic accreditation from the American Bar Association and other legal research and legal professional organizations like the National Association of Legal Assistants.

We also considered the overall reputation for academic excellence, learning outcomes and graduate outcomes for the list of law and legal studies programs. Students and graduates alike attest to the academic rigor of the coursework, from the general education courses to the major courses.

The pursuit of academic excellence means graduates are prepared for the challenging legal, civil litigation, and criminal law work of legal professionals.

Such emphasis on academic excellence is supported by the impressive legal expertise of the faculty members. Lawyers, judges, and mediators with years of legal experience share their knowledge and skills with students.

Student success is also influenced by the quality and quantity of student support services. Tutoring services, writing services, access to the IT help desk and digital libraries, and career services are great examples.

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Online Legal Studies Programs Looking for You

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Online Degree Frequently Asked Questions

If this is your first time taking an online course, the experience may require a time of adjustment. Although you’ll typically learn the same material and take the same exams as your on-campus peers, going online will require greater independence and responsibility than going in person. You’ll be accountable for your own time management, for harnessing the online educational technology that you’ll need to use, and for completing the course requirements, such as listening to lectures, learning lessons, reading texts, and handing in assignments. This means you’ll need to create a suitable workspace for yourself, maintain a realistic schedule, and take the initiative in building relationships with your instructors and classmates. With online college, your goal is to find a balance between independence and engagement.

No. The only part of online education that’s easier than campus-based education is ease of access: all you need is a computer and an internet connection for online education. But even this seeming advantage of online education can be misleading: what’s easier, studying online with your computer and internet connection from your home where you need to cook, clean, pay rent, and maintain a job? Or studying on campus in a dorm where all your living needs are handled by the school, and college staff are there to help you every step of the way?

If you take the commute to campus out of the equation, campus-based education is easier. All the support structures available on campus for students, especially with real people to help you in person, are not there online. The demands on you as an online student will largely be the same as for your campus-based counterpart, but without the same helps.

In general, your online courses will present the same material and test you in the same way as traditional in-person courses. In many cases, you’ll even have the same instructors as your on-campus counterparts. In fact, if you are adjusting to the experience of independent learning with remote educational technology for the first time, online college may be considerably more challenging than campus-based college. For a few insights on how to manage this new online experience, check out our 10 Tips for Adjusting to School Online.

Accreditation is especially important when it comes to online college. This is because the online education landscape is a mix of highly-reputable non-profit institutions on the one end and less-than-reputable for-profit institutions on the other end. Accreditation gives you the power to identify the more reputable actors in online education. Accreditation is a stamp of approval from an independent accrediting agency indicating that a college or university is meeting standards of quality and credibility. School-wide accreditation falls into two major categories: regional and national accreditation. Regional accreditors generally hold jurisdiction only over schools in the states comprising their region, whereas national accreditors hold jurisdiction over schools in all states. Regional accreditation is widely regarded as a more rigorous standard of quality and credibility than national accreditation.

Attending a college or university that is not regionally accredited could limit your opportunities. For students seeking an online education, we strongly recommend that they opt for regionally accredited schools. Regional accreditation ensures eligibility for federal loans and grants, ensures your college credits can be transferred between schools, and ensures that your degree credits can be accepted if you wish to earn an advanced degree. For more on this important topic, check out our What is Accreditation and Why Does It Matter? College & University Accreditation Guide.

As long as your online college degree is regionally accredited (see the previous point), you should have little difficulty transferring most of your credits or credentials to another regionally accredited undergraduate school. Every school carries its own standards and procedures for granting a transfer of credits. In many cases, you will encounter some bureaucratic haggling in which some of your credits will be transferred and others may be refused. However, provided that you have attended an online school with recognized regional accreditation, you should be in good shape in transferring your credits earned online.

In most cases, as long you graduate from a well-regarded, regionally-accredited online college, prospective employers won’t look sideways at your degree. In fact, unless you attend an exclusively online college or university, there will likely be no specific indicator on your degree, transcript, or resumé differentiating your school from its brick-and-mortar counterpart. This means that your employer will likely only differentiate between an online and in-person degree if you mention this distinction.

Some employers may express the concern that because you did your degree online, you may need to transition from an online education experience to in-person workplace experience. But in an age of Covid, that concern seems much diminished. The fact is that much employment these days is remote. And collaboration increasingly happens online over Zoom. Many employers will therefore view your online degree as evidence of valuable 21st century professional skills such as independence, self-motivation, time management, and tech savvy.

If you are a student who thrives on the dynamic energy of in-person discussion, who requires the physical surroundings of a classroom to feel engaged, or who considers the social aspects of education to be of equal importance to the actual content of your courses, online education will be less than ideal for you (though depending on your circumstances, it may also be the only viable option).

While there is much in traditional campus-based education that can be substituted or simulated through the online medium, some students may find that there is nothing that can replace the conversation, collaboration, and motivation that occur in an actual in-person classroom setting. As you transition to online education, one of the biggest challenges you will likely face in getting the most out of your online classes is overcoming this difference between “real reality” and “virtual reality.” Fortunately, we’ve got some great Tips for Online Education Beginners.

The advantages of online classes are many. Above all, online courses give you the freedom and flexibility to attend class from anywhere that works for you, whether you’re at home, in a coffee shop, or in a quiet conference room at work. In many cases, you’ll also enjoy the convenience of asynchronous learning opportunities-educational experiences that you can complete at your own pace and on your own schedule. This may include pre-taped lectures, ongoing chat-board discussions, and 24/7 access to digital materials. And of course, just as there are some learners who prefer the energy of a live classroom, there are those who learn best when working in their own personal space, free from distractions. If this sounds like you, you might find the solitude of online learning to be a major advantage.

Resources for Online College-Bound Students

Whether you’re just getting started on your college search, you’re looking for survival tips on your way to a bachelor’s degree, or you’re preparing for the transition into grad school, we’ve got guides, how to’s and tons of other valuable resources to keep you moving forward in your educational journey.

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