For students interested in studying law, there are many online options ranging from an Associate’s Degree to a Doctorate. The legal field is very diverse, and like their more traditional counterparts, online schools offer several areas of focus, including Business Law, Healthcare Law, or Criminal Justice.
Although most people tend to associate studying law with becoming a lawyer, legal degrees are useful for many types of careers. Graduates with legal degrees often work in such fields as education, politics, social service, and real estate, for instance.
Potential jobs for students earning legal degrees include:
- Court reporter
- Paralegal
- City Council member
- Political leader
- Consultant
- Private detective
- Correctional Training
- Legal Assistant
- Clerk
- Union Arbitration
- Contract Negotiation
Online schools also offer degrees for students who wish to practice law, but students should be aware that no online schools are accredited by the American Bar Association. Because of this, students earning an online law degree cannot sit for the bar exam in any state but California. Federal courts do not have this restriction, however. Further, students wishing to eventually practice law might enter a Master of Law program which will help them qualify for the bar in other states.
In addition to the above options, some schools, such as Kaplan, offer an Executive Juris Doctor degree. This is similar in coursework to the JD, but is aimed at professionals who would benefit from a law education but do not desire to practice law.
In general, the job outlook in the legal field is good. Court reporters, for instance, should enjoy excellent job opportunities. Paralegals also should expect faster-than-average job growth. Lawyers, however, will likely face stiff competition. For more information on the legal profession, prospective students should read the information available at the Bureau of Labor Statistics.