Pros and Cons of Online Legal Degrees: Is it Worth it in This AI-Era?

Introduction: The Rise of Online Legal Education

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics(BLS) the legal profession is growing slowly but steadily at about 4% per year. The costs of a legal degree or certification have continued to climb faster than the average salary, with tuition averaging $350-500 per credit hour for certificate programs.

To fill the need for trained legal professionals in a rapidly increasing field, online legal education programs are emerging. These programs offer the same courses and degree options as in-person pathways, but they feature online scheduling and learn-as-you-go courses that let working professionals obtain advanced degrees while maintaining their work-life-family balance.

That being said, not all online degree programs are for everyone. Some degrees require in-person training, and some individuals need the discipline of a brick-and-mortar university to be successful. As with any higher education that requires a time and financial commitment, you should review all your options carefully before making the jump into an online education.

What Counts as an Online Legal Degree?

“Online legal degrees” are those offered fully or partially online. Nearly all universities and colleges offer some type of online degree programs today. Students appreciate the flexibility of attending classes online and at their own pace.

Online courses may operate synchronously, which is similar to traditional classes and have regular schedules like their in-person counterparts. Students must log in and attend classes via Zoom or Skype and can interact with other students.

More often, students take courses asynchronously, or at their own pace. The professor streams and records the sessions, and students can view them on their own time. These asynchronous courses mean that students can start classes at any time during the term and complete the course on their own schedule.

There are legal studies courses available now for legal studies certificates, two- and four-year degrees, and a few online juris doctor (JD) degrees. Students should review these classes carefully, because not all legal studies degrees are equal. JD degrees in particular must be accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA). Currently, the ABA has not accredited any fully online JD programs. There are several accredited hybrid programs with limited in-person requirements, but none that are 100% online.

The Pros of Online Legal Degrees

If you’re planning on getting an online legal degree or certificate, you should consider the pros and cons carefully. The benefits of an online legal degree for working professionals are considerable, but there are also downsides to consider.

• Flexibility. Online degrees let you set up your class schedules around your work, family, and social schedules. You can keep your job while improving your career goals and employability.

• Tuition and additional costs. Although online degrees have roughly the same costs as in-person degrees, you save money on housing, commuting and related expenses. In some cases, you save on the cost of books and scholastic materials by downloading your texts and classroom material.

• Expanded course tracks. Some online courses allow students to take as few as one class at a time. The extreme flexibility of online classes means you can adjust your course load to your work schedule and your finances.

• Specializations. Online courses give students the option of tailoring their classes to their career goals.

When you consider the advantages of an online legal degree, you should also consider your own work habits. Online courses require someone who has the discipline to concentrate on their studies at home and does not have other distractions pulling them away from their work. If you can easily dedicate several hours after work to your online classes, then you should thrive in an online degree program.

The Cons of Online Legal Degrees

Flexibility and cost should not be your only concerns when thinking about an online degree program. There are some significant downsides to an online degree program, particularly when you are considering bachelor’s and master’s degree programs.

• Fewer networking opportunities. An online course means you’re essentially taking your class at home. You won’t have many chances to meet with other students, professors, or outside professionals.

• Accreditation questions. Most schools are accredited, but you should check accreditation and ABA approval if you plan to take your degree farther. For instance, if you plan on attending law school, it does not matter what your bachelor’s degree is in, but it must come from an accredited college.

• Limited hands-on training. In-person colleges and universities have many opportunities for interning, legal clinics, moot court, and other real-world training. In an online school, you often have to find those opportunities yourself.

• Perception of online education. Although the view of online classes is improving, some employers may still view online degrees as coming from “diploma mills.” This can be overcome by having a degree from an accredited college.

Your personal educational style should be part of your analysis. If you’re the kind of person who is easily distracted at home and needs a separate location to study and focus on your classes, then online classes may not be for you. You must be able to devote the same amount of time to an online course as you would to a brick-and-mortar course.

How Employers View Online Legal Degrees

According to U.S. News & World Report, employers generally view online degrees as favorably as any other degree. Often, the most important factor to employers is whether your degree comes from an accredited university or college. The school’s reputation as a quality educational facility is more critical than where you obtained your degree.

A report from Business Insider suggests that the tuition scams that plagued for-profit universities in the 2020’s make accredited state colleges, and not-for-profit online universities more favorable to employers than for-profit universities. The perception of fraud and less-qualified instructors may or may not be true, but this could hurt some applicants.

Remember that an employer will not know you got your degree online unless you tell them. If it becomes part of a job interview, be sure to highlight the time management skills you learned from the experience.

Cost and ROI Considerations

In general, tuition costs for online certificates and degrees are equivalent to costs for brick-and-mortar degrees. Online classes save by avoiding housing costs, transportation, and other expenses that are associated with attending in-person classes.

Since you can complete your degree on your own schedule, you lose less income than students who must attend classes according to the school’s schedule. For instance, students who must take classes from 9-5 either cannot work or must find jobs at night, which has the potential to affect their study time and sleep schedules.

Who Should Consider an Online Legal Degree?

Online legal degrees are ideal for those who are balancing multiple commitments, such as work and family. If you’re already working in the legal profession and want to improve your career options, either to advance in your current position or to make a lateral move to a similar position in an adjacent field, then an online degree is a great way to make a change while retaining your job.

Those in the lower tiers of the legal professions, such as legal secretaries and legal assistants, can benefit from the flexibility and lower costs of online degrees. The incremental nature of certificates, associates, and masters degrees let these professionals grow  their careers while staying in their jobs.

Students seeking a JD or planning on attending law school after their bachelor’s degree should discuss their plans with a career counselor before applying to any online program. There are very few online juris doctor programs, and there are no fully online JDs from accredited programs. Although there are ways to take the bar exam after graduating from an unaccredited law school, students with these degrees are at a considerable disadvantage to those who graduate from ABA-accredited schools.

Decision Checklist: Is an Online Legal Degree Right for You?

If you’re planning on any online certificate or degree program, consider these questions carefully before making any final decision. Always discuss your choices with a career counselor or the school’s admissions office before you commit to a degree program.

• What do I want to achieve from this course?

• Is the program accredited or ABA approved?

• Will I have a degree or certificate in the discipline I want when I am finished?

• Is the cost of the program justified by the return in salary/benefits from a job?

• Can I devote the required time per day/week to my online courses?

For instance, if you are already a senior paralegal in your law firm, you have little to gain by obtaining a paralegal certificate. If you have school-age children who participate in afterschool sports, you may not have the time to devote to a full-time online course. Make sure the degree or certificate you are seeking fills a specific gap in your experience or knowledge. department—your experience may be sufficient.

Conclusion

Online degree programs are becoming more common and offer flexibility and affordability. Although they are ideal for many workers, they are not ideal for everyone. If you’re considering an online certificate or degree program, take the time to review accredited programs and consider what you want from your degree before making a commitment to an online course.