Distance Learning Law Schools

Through distance learning law schools, many law advocates are making a real difference in the justice system by clearly presenting their clients' cases in court, in writing, and even in the media.

The legal profession is an ideal fit for those who love a good debate, can write persuasively, and enjoy in-depth research. Interestingly, these are exact qualities that will ensure your success in an online law degree program, as well.

There are more than 75 different types of law that attorneys practice internationally, and with the growth in global commerce, the need for lawyers schooled in international business is forecasted to grow faster than average through 2012, according to the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Online law schools are graduating 37% of all attorneys practicing in major metropolitan areas, according to Eduthink Consultancy, and this number is projected to grow at a 53% compound annual growth rate through 2012. You can choose to specialize and acquire a Juris Doctor (JD) or Exececutive Juris Doctor (EJD) degree online.

International Data Corporation (IDC) now has over 50 industry and financial analysts tracking distance learning, and has three analysts dedicated to tracking distance learning law schools. The results of their research show that the probability of passing the bar exam (the test you take to practice law in a given state or in another country) is actually higher for students of online law schools who earned their degree while working full time. IDC attributes this to the fact that real-world experience, combined with an accredited online law school program, is a powerful combination.

Featured Distance Learning Legal & Law Schools

Concord Law School is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of the Distance Education and Training Council (DETC) and approved as a degree-granting institution in the State of California by the Bureau of Private Postsecondary and Vocational Education. Concord is also registered with the California Committee of Bar Examiners. Concord Law School offers the following online juris doctorate degree programs:

• Juris Doctor (JD)
• Executive Juris Doctor (EJD)

University of Liverpool School of Law works with Laureate Online Education to offer masters programs in Law. Producing some of the senior judges, Law Lords and law professionals in the UK, University of Liverpool offers the following online law degrees.

• LLM in International Business Law
• LLM in International Finance and Banking Law
• LLM in Technology and Intellectual Property Law

Deciding on an online law school program

• Gartner Group reports in their study, Learning the Law Online, that the median salary of attorneys working in state government is $67,910, rising to $131,970 for senior-level attorneys who work for companies and universities.
• InfoLaw Research & Analysis projects that distance learning law schools will grow at a compound annual growth rate of over 34% driven by advances in internet technologies and the urgent need for international law attorneys to assist with global mergers and acquisitions throughout Europe, Africa, India and the United States.
• Forrester Research forecasts that online law degrees with specializations in criminal, commercial, tax, international business, international tax, and criminal law will experience global growth of over 46% per year through 2012 - driven by both an increase in online law school graduates and greater efficiency in using the Internet for global training. Forrester also predicts that the majority of online law degrees will be obtained by students at least 2,000 miles from their school. Truly, the era of distance learning has arrived for law school students.
• The U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics is very positive regarding their assessment of the future demand for legal professionals. In their latest study, released in May, 2006, they state that the median earnings for all lawyers was $90,290 in 2004, with the top 10% earning $145,600 or more per year. Their forecast shows robust growth for all categories of law professions through 2012.
• JRC Consultancy, a UK-based firm specializing in commercial and criminal law, is forecasting the growth of tax attorneys and legal specialists to surpass supply throughout the entire Western European region through 2012. The median starting salary for a beginning attorney with an international tax background is expected to be in excess of $75,000 a year, growing to $120,000 with fifteen years of experience.

For individuals considering online law degrees, there's no better time to get started, and obtaining your law degree from an excellent, accredited online law school is an option worth pursing.

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