Part-time | Online
The Juris Doctor (JD), part-time and online, is the foundational degree to practice law in the U.S. As an ABA-accredited top law school, ASU Law prepares students through rigorous coursework, hands-on experience and faculty mentorship.
Next start date: August 17, 2026
Total credit hours: 88 (minimum)
Duration: 3.5 - 4 years
Delivery: part-time; online
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 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.
The initial four terms require the completion of a sequenced core curriculum plan, including 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 communities.
The curriculum for the ASU Law JD, delivered part-time and online, is designed to be completed within three and a half to four years. Most classes are delivered asynchronously. Students will be required to participate in blocks of synchronous learning, and requirements will be announced two months prior to the start of each semester. JD students must complete 88 credit hours to meet graduation requirements. You can view a sample course schedule here.
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.
The Juris Doctor at ASU Law is a program that incorporates practical learning and experiences. Learning outcomes for the JD degree include competency in:
ASU Law is a highly ranked and respected public law school dedicated to educating the next generation of legal professionals. In honor of its namesake, Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, public service is at its core, and is committed to advancing justice in the communities it serves. Learning from some of the nation’s foremost scholars and innovative legal instructors, ASU Law graduates are educated to become skilled and compassionate advocates and difference-makers.
– U.S. News and World Report, 2026
– U.S. News and World Report, 2026
– U.S. News and World Report, 2026
– 2024 ABA report
#3 Legal Writing | #9 Dispute Resolution | #13 Health Care Law | #16 Environmental Law | #31 Constitutional Law | #32 Criminal Law | #35 Tax Law
– U.S. News and World Report, 2026
From experiential learning opportunities like the clinical program and fellowships, to student-led opportunities like student organizations and law journals – ASU Law prepares graduates to shape the future of justice from public service to private practice.
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.
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 Associate Dean, Research and Faculty Development, 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
Justin Weinstein-Tull Professor of Law
Driven by institutional expertise, ASU Law’s Areas of Expertise are specialized pathways allowing students from each of our degree programs to explore specialty areas led by world-class faculty, combining academic rigor with practical experience. Each area highlights a unique blend of coursework, hands-on experiential opportunities and career prospects, guiding students to tailor their legal education toward their passions and professional goals.
Juris Doctor graduates go on to join law firms, start their own companies, move up in their existing careers or find a passion for the law. In every case, knowledge of the legal field enhances their professional life and shapes their way of thinking.
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 enter the workforce. That resource is available to students the moment they start their ASU Law journey and lasts long after graduation.
Recent law firm placements include Ballar Spahr, Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner, Polsinelli, Squire Patton Boggs, Greenberg Traurig LLP, Fennemore, Kirkland & Ellis, White & Case, Kutak Rock LLP, Jones Day, Morrison & Foerster LLP, Perkins Coie LLP, Quarles & Brady LLP, and Snell & Wilmer LLP. Our past student have also gone on to work at many Federal Counts including the U.S. District Court in Arizona, the U.S. Court of Appeals and many more.
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 three and a half to four years. Most classes are asynchronous, but the initial four terms require the completion of a sequenced core curriculum plan.
For the first three semesters, students can expect to have approximately 11-12 hours of instruction and 25 hours of course preparation outside of instruction per week. For the first summer term, students can expect to have approximately 6-7 hours of instruction and 12 hours of course preparation outside of instruction per week.
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. Students should expect to be required to participate in one block of synchronous learning per week, typically taking place on a weekday evening. Synchronous learning requirements will be announced two months prior to the start of each semester.
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 four 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 or practices within rural communities. Examples include prosecution, public defense, agency or district counsel, legislative counsel, small firm or solo practitioner in a rural community, tribal attorney.
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 [email protected].
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. Students cannot currently be enrolled in any other degree programs at the same time.
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.
Online students can participate in clinics that offer remote learning opportunities. This includes the Lodestar Mediation clinic, the Immigration clinic, the First Amendment clinic, the Entrepreneurship and Small Business clinic and the Post-Conviction clinic. Online students also can participate in externships remotely or in their local area.
The ABA does not allow credits completed prior to matriculating in a JD program towards the degree. ASU does not accept any prior credits to count towards the JD coursework.
Yes, only part-time enrollment is available. The maximum amount of credits an online student would take in a semester is 11 credits.
Yes, online students will be able to participate in some (although not all) extracurricular activities, including moot court and journal.
There are no requirements to participate in classes on campus; all coursework will be completed online. Students will have the opportunity to participate in optional short in-person courses.
The admissions committee makes decisions for JD applicants 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, uniqueness of experience and background, maturity, ability to communicate, foreign language proficiency, honors and awards, service in the armed forces and publications.
For online enrollment, 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.
Online applicants apply through LSAC and must submit all required application materials, including a valid LSAT or JD-Next score. The admissions process is conducted in waves. Applicants who are selected for an admissions interview must complete the interview to move forward in the review process. There is a separate application form for JD online and applicants to ASU Law.
Review of applications for admission to the ASU Law JD, part-time and online, is done in waves. Applicants will typically receive a confirmation email and instructions on accessing the application status checker within three business days of submitting the electronic application. Applicants are responsible for ensuring that all required documents are received by our office. Part-time, online students begin enrollment in January of each year.
Yes, ASU Law will host an online Admitted Students Program for accepted applicants.
ASU Law’s policy is that applicants may only have one active application at a time. The admissions committee reviews files for the next enrollment term first. The admissions committee will proceed with review of an application for a subsequent term only once an applicant has received a final decision on their application for the prior term.
Applications for subsequent terms will be placed on hold until a final decision has been released on the prior term application. The admissions committee will then proceed with the review of the subsequent term application after that time. Applicants must submit a separate application for each term they wish to apply for. The admissions committee does not move applications to different terms.
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.
The ASU Law JD, part-time and online, is designed for those interested in working in public service or practicing in rural 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.
Costs are different for students pursuing the JD part-time and online compared to on campus. Tuition and fee estimates should be viewed on the ASU Law Tuition and Fees webpage. The ASU Tuition Estimator notes a fall 2025 start, which is incorrect. The first semester for the JD part-time and online is the spring 2026 term.
All admitted online students are automatically considered for and will receive a merit-based scholarship at the time of the admissions decision. 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.
More information is available on the Scholarships and Financial Aid webpage.
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 [email protected].
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.