Part-time online
Juris Doctor (JD)
ASU Law has launched an innovative Juris Doctor (JD) part-time and online, the first of its kind, aimed at addressing the legal desert crisis and expanding access to justice nationwide. This groundbreaking initiative equips future lawyers to serve in public interest roles, government advocacy, public service, or private and public law practices within rural and underserved communities, reflecting the focus of the ASU Charter on inclusivity and service to our communities. Designed with flexibility in mind, part-time online learning allows students to balance their careers and personal responsibilities while earning a JD from one of the nation's top-ranked law schools.
Students in the ASU Law JD, part-time and online, initially take a set of sequenced core classes over three terms in civil procedure, contracts, torts, legal method and writing, property, constitutional law, criminal law, legal advocacy, and professional responsibility. Additional coursework over subsequent terms are electives that are tailored for students who will go on to work in public service, public interest law, or private and public law practices within rural and underserved communities.
Most classes are delivered asynchronously and the curriculum is designed to be completed within four to five years. JD students must complete 88 credit hours to meet graduation requirements.
Discover how the ASU Law JD can empower you to achieve your goals without compromising your current commitments. Explore the future of legal education with us.
Quick facts
Expected start date:
January 12, 2026
- Total credit hours: 88 (minimum)
- Students who receive scholarships: 100%
- Part-time online instruction
Why ASU Law?
The Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law at ASU is dedicated to educating the next generation of legal professionals. Embodying the legacy of its namesake, Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, public service is at its core, and the college is committed to advancing justice in the communities it serves. ASU Law graduates are educated to become skilled and compassionate advocates and difference-makers.
Students in the ASU Law JD, delivered part-time and online, learn from some of the nation’s foremost scholars and innovative legal instructors. The part-time online instruction offers the same high-quality education as ASU Law’s on-campus JD instruction while leveraging innovative online technologies to reimagine how legal education can be delivered in a collaborative and rigorous digital environment. Students will also have access to all of the same career and student services resources available to on-campus students at ASU Law.
#1 law school in Arizona
#15 U.S. public law school
#36 best law school in the U.S.
– U.S. News & World Report (2025)
Faculty excellence at ASU Law
JD students learning part-time and online receive the same instruction from the same renowned faculty who teach full-time on campus. Learn more about some of the award-winning instructors who will teach online courses.
Khaled Beydoun Associate Professor of Law
Andrew Carter Clinical Professor of Law
Beth DiFelice Assistant Dean + Librarian, Law Library
Michele Feeney Director, Trial Advocacy Program
Joel Friedman Professor of Law
Zachary Gubler Marie Selig Professor of Law
Kim Holst Dean’s Fellow for Innovation (2023-2024), Clinical Professor of Law
Stacy Leeds Willard H. Pedrick Dean, Regents and Foundation Professor of Law
Ben McJunkin Associate Professor of Law; Associate Deputy Director, Academy for Justice
Trevor Reed Professor of Law
Justin Weinstein-Tull Professor of Law
Online innovation
The ASU Law JD, part-time and online, provides the same rigorous education as on campus. By leveraging cutting-edge technologies, online learning transforms legal education into a collaborative and engaging digital experience, designed for today’s world and your busy schedule.
Employment after ASU Law
Career Services at ASU Law can help students identify goals, find employment opportunities and help students pursue their passions. The Career Services team offers hands-on interview preparation, resume reviews and the guidance job seekers need as they seek to apply their JD knowledge and skills in the workforce. That resource is available to students the moment they start their ASU Law journey and lasts long after graduation.
Frequently asked questions
Program FAQ
Yes, as an ABA-accredited law school, ASU Law has also received acquiescence to offer the JD part-time and online.
The ASU Law JD is the same degree taught by full-time faculty regardless of delivery.
No, Arizona State University diplomas don’t specify whether you earn your degree online or on campus. All diplomas and transcripts simply read “Arizona State University.”
The curriculum for the ASU Law JD, delivered part-time and online, is designed to be completed within four to five years. Most classes are asynchronous, but the initial three terms require the completion of a sequenced core curriculum plan. The ABA requires that any law degree be completed within seven years of starting classes.
Most classes are delivered in an asynchronous format, allowing students more flexibility to complete coursework on their own time while still engaging with faculty and other students.
A leave of absence can be requested but is not guaranteed.
Students learn from the same full-time faculty at ASU Law and receive the same course content as on-campus students. While the first three terms of the program require the completion of a core curriculum plan, coursework and additional electives are tailored for students who will go on to work in public service, public interest law, or private and public law practices within rural and underserved communities.
Transferability of credits depends on the policies of the other school, and it is the responsibility of the student to verify acceptance.
Each jurisdiction establishes its own requirements for eligibility to take the bar exam and for bar admission, which include specific standards for an applicant’s legal education. Since all ASU Law JD graduates have completed an approved degree program from an ABA-accredited law school, they appear to meet the current criteria in most jurisdictions, making them likely eligible for bar admission in many states. In addition to the bar examination, there are character, fitness and other qualifications for admission to the bar in every jurisdiction.
Since requirements can change, applicants are encouraged to determine the requirements for any jurisdiction in which they intend to seek admission by contacting the jurisdiction. Addresses for all relevant agencies are available through the National Conference of Bar Examiners.
Applicants should carefully consider these factors before beginning their legal education. For questions, reach out to the ASU Law Admissions team at asulaw.admissions@asu.edu.
See Arizona State University’s professional licensure disclosure.
Yes, classes are designed to be flexible in support of a work, life and study balance for students.
There are no concurrent degree opportunities at this time. However, arrangements may be available for students pursuing additional degrees while enrolled in this program.
For questions, contact the ASU Law Admissions team at asulaw.admissions@asu.edu.
The graduation requirements are the same for all ASU Law JD students. Read more about graduation requirements.
Yes, online students will have access to all of the same career and student services resources available to on-campus students at ASU Law.
Yes, online students will be able to participate in many (although not all) extracurricular activities and student organizations.
Admissions FAQ
ASU Law seeks to enroll a dynamic group of individuals who will provide an engaging learning environment, and whose goals after graduation align with serving in public interest, public service, or practicing private or public law in rural and underserved communities.
The admissions committee makes decisions after considering all the information provided by the applicant. Among the factors influencing the admission decision are LSAT or JD-Next performance, undergraduate grade point average, quality and grading patterns of undergraduate institutions, previous graduate education, demonstrated commitment to public service, work and leadership experience, extracurricular or community activities, history of overcoming economic or other disadvantages, uniqueness of experience and background, maturity, ability to communicate, foreign language proficiency, honors and awards, service in the armed forces and publications.
Applicants apply through LSAC and must submit all required application materials. Applications follow ASU Law’s standard admissions committee review process and procedures. There are separate application forms for JD online and on-campus applicants to ASU Law.
Review of applications for admission to the ASU Law JD, part-time and online, is done in waves, instead of on a rolling basis. Applicants are encouraged to apply as early in the admissions cycle as possible. The admissions committee will begin reviewing applications as they are marked complete. Applicants are responsible for ensuring that all required documents are received by our office. Applicants will typically receive a confirmation email and instructions on accessing the application status checker within three business days of submitting the electronic application.
There are no residency requirements to apply for or to be admitted as an online student.
Yes, ASU Law will host an online Admitted Students Program for accepted applicants.
ASU Law’s policy is that applicants may only apply to one JD enrollment option at a time. Applicants are only considered for the enrollment option for which they apply.
All aspects of the admissions process will be offered online. Students may choose to visit in person if they would like to see the campus. There are no visitation requirements for students during the course of enrollment in the JD delivered part-time and online.
No, students currently cannot transfer between JD on-campus and online deliveries.
Students currently cannot transfer between JD on-campus and online deliveries.
International students may apply to the ASU Law JD, part-time and online.
Note: Online international students are not issued an F-1 visa or I-20 to travel to the U.S. for school.
Visiting and transfer applications for students enrolled at another ABA-accredited school are currently not accepted.
Admission through the ASU Achievement Program is available.
The ASU Law JD, part-time and online, is designed for those interested in working in public interest, public service, or practicing private or public law in rural and underserved communities. Applicants are not required to commit to such public legal work as a condition of admission, but an expressed interest and dedication to supporting public interest goals will be considered as a factor of acceptance.
Financial aid FAQ
Tuition and fee estimates for students pursuing the JD part-time and online will be announced at a later date.
All admitted first-year students are automatically considered for and will receive merit-based scholarships. Admitted students will be notified if additional information is required to be considered for any award. There are additional scholarships that students may apply to once they are enrolled. In order to maintain any scholarships awarded, students must be in good academic standing and actively enrolled at ASU Law.
If you’re employed by a government or nonprofit organization after graduation, you may be eligible for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program through the U.S. Department of Education under certain conditions. More information is available on the PSLF website. Additional loan forgiveness programs may be available to graduates through other programs.
For questions, please contact our Financial Aid team at Law.FinancialAid@asu.edu.
To be considered for financial assistance, you must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The type of aid awarded could be any combination of federal student loans. To receive federal financial aid, you must meet the eligibility criteria and enroll at least half-time each semester.
There are also a number of private loan programs available. Private alternative loan fees and interest rates vary by lender and are determined by the borrower's credit rating. ASU Law does not endorse any specific lenders, but there are several online resources from which you can choose a lender (e.g., U.S. Department of Education and FinAID.org).
Summer financial aid is available to students who enroll in the summer term, meet the eligibility criteria and have a FAFSA on file for the current academic year. The offered awards are contingent upon enrollment in five or more credit hours.