ASU Law Talks
Can I earn a Juris Doctor part-time and online?
Amy Best
Assistant Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid
Amy Best is ASU Law’s Assistant Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid with a student-first approach. She has previously worked in admissions at Iowa Law and Northwestern Pritzker, and earned her JD at Iowa after working in book publishing in New York.
For many aspiring lawyers, the biggest barrier to earning a Juris Doctor isn’t motivation – it’s logistics. Relocating, leaving a career behind or managing long commutes can make law school feel out of reach. The good news is that yes, you can earn a JD part-time and online. ASU Law is leading the way in the U.S. as the highest-ranked law school to offer a part-time, online JD designed for working professionals, caregivers and community leaders.
What is a part-time online JD?
A part-time, online JD allows you to pursue your law degree while balancing work, family and community responsibilities. Unlike traditional full-time programs that require you to move to campus and oftentimes forgo your current employment, ASU Law’s part-time, online JD makes legal education accessible anywhere. Students complete courses online, taught by the same expert faculty who teach on campus, with opportunities for meaningful engagement and collaboration. This approach helps eliminate barriers for people who are rooted in their communities but want to expand their impact through legal training.
Is the online JD accredited by the ABA?
Yes, the ASU Law JD program is accredited by the American Bar Association, and the college has received acquiescence to offer the JD online. Online students will receive the same rigorous, high-quality education as their peers studying in person, taught by the same world-class faculty. ABA accreditation means that graduates are eligible to sit for the bar exam in most states, based on jurisdictional eligibility of distance education programs. Passing the bar and receiving licensure positions you to pursue a career as a practicing attorney. At ASU Law, quality is never compromised — whether you are learning in downtown Phoenix or logging in from across the country.
Is studying online and part-time right for you?
The part-time, online JD is designed for people whose personal or professional commitments make full-time study unrealistic. Professionals, business owners, parents, caregivers and community leaders are among those who will benefit most from this flexibility, especially those living in rural areas around the nation where proximity to a quality law school is a fundamental barrier. ASU Law’s online JD opens doors for individuals who want to remain embedded in their communities while gaining the tools to advocate for justice and change.
What is the best online law school program?
“Best” is subjective and depends on what you value and prioritize. I know this firsthand since it is part of my name! Of course I think ASU Law is fantastic since I work here, but there are many reasons ASU Law should be at the top of your list for a law school with a flexible, part-time JD you can complete online.
ASU is a top-ranked, ABA-accredited law school. Based on current U.S. News & World Report rankings, ASU Law is the highest-ranked law school offering a part-time, online JD. ASU Law is consistently among the nation’s top public law schools and a leader in expanding access to legal education.
Arizona State University was also ranked No. 1 in innovation for the 11th year in a row by U.S. News & World Report. As ASU’s law school, we’ve long set the pace on innovation — launching the first tribally affiliated law program and leading the nation in online legal master’s degrees. Now, with our part-time, online JD, we’re transforming access to justice by making the path to becoming a lawyer more inclusive and focused on serving the communities that need it most.
If you’ve been waiting for the right time to pursue a JD, the opportunity is here. ASU Law’s part-time, online JD delivers a high-quality legal education — wherever you are.