ABA Approved Online Law Schools

You are smart to question whether an online law school is approved by the ABA. Approval by the ABA (American Bar Association) is required for law school graduates to take the bar exam and practice law in most states. A number of online law schools have sought "ABA Approved" status.

ABA Approval of Online Law Schools

So far, the ABA has not approved any online law schools. A list of ABA approved law schools can be seen here. The fact that the ABA has not approved online law schools has been the subject of much criticism in the legal academic community. The ABA argues that ABA Approval requires a number of standards, and the quality of a law school education would be compromised without the in-class experience with other law school students and professors.

Cost of ABA Approval

Online law schools can be substantially cheaper, allowing students to more easily afford their law school education. Thus, the ABA decision not to approve online law schools could be seen as preventing access to less expensive law school options.

ABA Approved Online Law School Courses

A few ABA approved law schools offer online courses for law students. However, these courses are normally of little use to students not enrolled in an ABA approved law school because students can get a few credits, but not a degree, by enrolling in these online law school courses. Also, most ABA approved law schools will only allow law students from ABA approved law schools to enroll in their online courses.