Kaplan University

[Munchkin03]

Originally Posted by Kevin

As far as the JD program, there are actually quite a few schools that offer online LLMs, but that actually makes some sort of sense in a lot of cases, and in a lot of cases, very reputable schools are offering the program, e.g., the University of Alabama.

The LLM doesn't bother me so much--don't you have to be a practicing attorney to do that? A bunch of my friends have gotten their LLM in Taxation, especially during the recession when it paid to be competitive.

It's just...doesn't the JD require some level of group interaction? You can't really get that in a chatroom. Is this going to be the next Cooley? (Totally O/T: I live behind a courthouse, and there are always 10-12 cars parked that have Cooley tags. I guess they're getting employed somewhere.)

[KSigkid]

Originally Posted by Munchkin03

Who'd want to get a JD online? The fact that it's only accepted in CA speaks volumes...

The funny thing about that is CA (supposedly) has one of the hardest bar exams (along with NY). I haven't taken either so I only know by reputation.

Originally Posted by Munchkin03

The LLM doesn't bother me so much--don't you have to be a practicing attorney to do that? A bunch of my friends have gotten their LLM in Taxation, especially during the recession when it paid to be competitive.

It's just...doesn't the JD require some level of group interaction? You can't really get that in a chatroom. Is this going to be the next Cooley? (Totally O/T: I live behind a courthouse, and there are always 10-12 cars parked that have Cooley tags. I guess they're getting employed somewhere.)

I think there are ways to get an LLM without being an attorney. Linda Greenhouse received one from Yale, I believe, although she may have had special accomodations because she was the Supreme Court correspondent for the Times.

One main benefit that you'll get in a "traditional" law school is the alumni connection. If you're smart, you're going to choose a law school where you can use the degree to help you get a job in your chosen area of law/area of the country. My law school wasn't the highest rank, but it has a good reputation in my region and there are a ton of alumni in the region who do the hiring for their law firm/legal department.

An online law school isn't going to help with that goal. That doesn't even get into the interaction/learning benefits that you get from the brick and mortar law schools.

[Kevin]

Originally Posted by Munchkin03

The LLM doesn't bother me so much--don't you have to be a practicing attorney to do that? A bunch of my friends have gotten their LLM in Taxation, especially during the recession when it paid to be competitive.

A lot of LLM programs are for non-U.S. attorneys. It's to educate them in one year (instead of 3) on the peculiarities of the U.S. legal system. Others cover specific subject matter, e.g., native american law, international law, taxation.

I'm not sure what the entrance requirements are. I don't see why you'd absolutely have to have a J.D., but if you want to practice law, most states, maybe all states require a J.D. or equivalent degree from an ABA accredited law school.

It's just...doesn't the JD require some level of group interaction? You can't really get that in a chatroom. Is this going to be the next Cooley? (Totally O/T: I live behind a courthouse, and there are always 10-12 cars parked that have Cooley tags. I guess they're getting employed somewhere.)

Yeah, I can't really see the online route working. The proper law school experience requires the law student to be humiliated repeatedly by faculty members in front of his or her peers, or at least to have the possibility looming.