2023 Most Affordable Online Colleges for Law Degrees

Fort Hays State University (FHSU) is a medium-sized, public university offering either a Bachelor of Arts or Science in Political Science - Pre-Law. Overall, students generally take up to four years to complete this program on a full-time schedule. The 124-credit program focuses on training students for law school by providing a foundational understanding of the legal system and related issues. The curriculum includes 55 credits of general education, ten credits of modern language, two credits of free electives, and 25 credits of upper-division courses. These include 100% online classes, such as Introduction to Law, Constitutional Law, and American Civil Liberties. To graduate, students must also complete a political science seminar and an internship. Career opportunities for alumni include legal secretary, paralegal, and victim advocate.

FHSU's online courses may include both asynchronous and synchronous elements. They are delivered through the Blackboard learning management system. Other support services for distance learners include academic advising, career services, and individual counseling services. Additionally, some hands-on learning opportunities are available, including campus organizations or study abroad/travel options that vary in length, from a semester-long experience to a faculty-led field trip.

A medium-sized, public university, Western Carolina University (WCU) offers an online Bachelor of Science or Arts in Business Administration and Law. This 120-credit program includes 42 credits of liberal studies, 36 credits of business core, 6-15 general electives, and 18 credits for the business law minor. In general, students are provided with a background in business, including its application and theory as well as a foundation in pre-law to prepare for law school. Law electives include International Business Law, Hospitality Law, Labor and Employment Law, and a business law internship. Students who want to complete their degree in eight semesters can follow a prescribed program; most students take 6-9 credits per semester.

WCU's online coursework is hosted on the Blackboard learning management system, which follows a blended synchronous and asynchronous format. Online students can also access tutoring support, library and technology resources, career services, and a distance orientation. Students may go on to explore careers in human resources or become a paralegal or compliance officer, to name a few options.

Stevenson University is a medium-sized, nonprofit institution with an online Bachelor of Science in Legal Studies. This program is delivered through Stevenson University Online, and it's meant for working adults who are interested in pursuing a paralegal or legal assistant role. The curriculum is focused on teaching important skills in investigative research, trial preparation, and litigation support. Courses are taught online in an eight-week session and include classes such as Contract Law, Legal Research and Writing, and American Government. An internship and legal studies capstone project is also required.

Up to 90 credits may be transferred from a four-year university as well as 30 credits from work experience. Students may take around four years to complete the entire program on a full-time schedule, depending on transferable credits. Stevenson University uses Blackboard to deliver online coursework to students. Distance learners also have access to a range of remote services, including academic advising, tutoring, and a transitional program for first-year students.

Abraham Lincoln University (ALU) offers a fully online Bachelor of Science in Legal Studies. Students can complete this 120-credit program in 10 semesters. The curriculum requires 30 credits of general education and 45 credits of core courses — including Legal Research, Litigation and Trial Practice, Criminal Law, and a senior capstone class. Additionally, students must take 15 credits of elective courses that ideally focus on specific areas of interest. Graduates of the program are eligible to sit for the National Association for Legal Assistants (NALA) Certificate exam.

Online students utilize email to communicate with instructors and Microsoft Word to complete assignments. They can also access enrollment/academic advisors and electronic library resources. For military and veteran students, ALU offers several benefits: military tuition assistance, academic credit for prior military training and experience, and fee waivers for application and registration.

Peru State College is a small, public institution in Peru, Nebraska offering a fully online Bachelor of Arts or Science in Criminal Justice - Legal Studies. This concentration is meant to prepare students for professional work in the legal system, courts, and public administration. Over the course of 120 credit hours, students learn the main components of the criminal justice system, along with helpful skills in communication, critical thinking, and problem-solving. All online coursework is taken through Blackboard. Core classes include Legal Environment and Contract Law, State and Local Government, and Ethics in Criminal Justice. An internship in criminal justice is also required, which entails 45 hours of hands-on work experience.

Most students take four years to complete this degree on a full-time schedule. However, the length of time may be shortened by transferring up to 90 relevant credits. As an online school, Peru State College offers plenty of resources for remote students, including career development, tutoring, and mentoring.

The American Public University System (APUS) is a large series of universities operating as for-profit institutions. APU, specifically, offers an online Bachelor of Science in Legal Studies, which has a curriculum focused on teaching governance, civil and criminal processes, and the philosophy of justice. Overall, 120 credits are required to graduate, along with core classes in Legal Ethics, Constitutional Law, and Family Law. A Senior Seminar in Legal Studies is also required, as well as a Practical Legal Studies Applications project, which asks students to demonstrate their understanding of the legal system through a research-based essay. Upon graduation, students typically become paralegals and legal assistants unless they want to pursue higher education.

All online coursework is taken through Brightspace, which allows students to complete most of their coursework asynchronously. Through this learning platform, online students can access test scores, discussion forums, teacher assistance, and academic and career advising. Overall, this degree program may take students up to four years to complete on a full-time schedule.

University of Massachusetts - Dartmouth (UMass Dartmouth) is a medium-sized, public university with a robust political science degree that includes a concentration in pre-law. The Bachelor of Arts in Political Science - Pre-Law is a 120-credit program that emphasizes legal processes within the courts system both nationally and internationally. Online coursework is taken through myCourses, which features core classes in Public Policy in America, Constitutional Law, and Civil Liberties and Rights. Additionally, a 3-credit internship is required through an approved organization or employer.

Students at UMass Dartmouth usually finish this bachelor's program within four years while studying at a full-time pace. Online students have free online and in-person tutoring support as well as the opportunity to engage in one-on-one personal advising. Alumni may pursue careers in government, international associations, or nonprofit organizations.

The University of Cincinnati is a large, public university that offers an online Bachelor of Science in Law and Paralegal Studies through UC Online, which specializes in remote learning programs. This 100% online program includes core courses in Investigative Techniques and Evidence, Administrative Litigation, and Real Estate Law, as well as advanced research through writing assignments. Alumni of this program may become paralegals, as the curriculum helps students develop the legal skills they need to join the workforce immediately after graduation.

Overall, the degree requires that students complete 120 credit hours, which they may complete in four years at a full-time pace. UC Online utilizes the Canvas learning management system, where students can access their coursework, tests, and communicate directly with their teachers in a remote environment. Academic support is available for all online students.

Rowan University (Rowan) is a large, public institution focused on professional development. The Bachelor of Arts in Law and Justice online from Rowan is a four-year, 120-credit program. Students may study on a part- or full-time basis in order to maintain a working life while they advance their education. Coursework examines the criminal justice system by attempting to understand the consequences of crime within society. Students use their reading, writing, and logic skills to prepare for a career in pre-law. Graduates may decide to become corrections officers, paralegals, or court service administrators.

Students complete classes online through Canvas, which includes the following core requirements: Survey of Criminal Justice, Law and Human Rights, and Social Problems. A writing intensive that concentrates on law and justice is also required to graduate. Importantly, online students can take advantage of support services, such as success coaching and tutoring.

National Paralegal College (NPC) is a small, for-profit institution focused on preparing graduates to work as paralegals. NPC's online Bachelor of Science In Legal Studies offers a foundational understanding of legal topics, with a focus on developing career-minded skills. To graduate, 120 credits are required, with core classes that include Torts and Personal Injury; Contracts; and Legal Research, Writing, and Civil Litigation. All coursework is delivered to students through NPC's internal learning management system, and it's 100% online. In other words, this program does not require any in-person learning or an internship.

Students may complete all coursework between three and seven years, depending on the amount of credits taken at a time. While enrolled, students can seek career assistance as well as guidance from a personal mentor, who can assist with time management and help explain coursework assignments. Upon graduation, students can seek paralegal employment at corporate legal departments, law firms, or nonprofit organizations.