Online J.D. Program

The Online J.D. is a part-time, mostly online law degree program that combines: 

• Live online evening classes, two to three evenings a week, that foster real-time engagement, discussion, and collaboration with faculty and classmates 

• Flexible asynchronous coursework that lets you learn on your own schedule

• Strategic in-person experiences and experiential learning opportunities over 1-3 long weekends a year that strengthen professional skills, community, and belonging

• Access to Rutgers Law’s comprehensive resources including academic support, career services, student organizations, and additional experiential learning opportunities 

You’ll progress through a carefully structured curriculum that culminates in your fourth year when you take a capstone course that begins your bar exam preparation. After graduation, you’ll also have access to a noncredit bar review course from a third-party provider as you prepare to pursue bar admission and legal practice consistent with applicable state requirements.

The Online J.D. is designed for: 

• Working professionals seeking career advancement or career change 

• Individuals with family or caregiving responsibilities 

• Business professionals interested in legal expertise 

• Public servants, nonprofit professionals, and community leaders 

• Military-affiliated students and veterans 

• Students who cannot relocate or attend law school full-time 

• Learners seeking a flexible pathway to a J.D. without sacrificing academic quality 

If you see yourself on this list, the Rutgers Law Online J.D. was built with you in mind.

The Online J.D. combines live online instruction, flexible asynchronous coursework, and periodic in-person learning experiences. Students will take live online (synchronous) classes 2-3 evenings per week and travel to campus for long weekends 1-3 times per year. Other coursework will be completed asynchronously.

Yes. Students who complete the Online J.D. program earn the same Juris Doctor degree from Rutgers Law School as students in the traditional program. The curriculum is designed to meet the same learning outcomes and academic standards as the traditional program. Diplomas awarded in this program will not indicate that it is a part-time or online program. 

As a part-time Juris Doctor program, the Online J.D. requires 84 credits completed over 10 to 11 semesters of study, including summers. This means your J.D. takes about four years to complete.

Yes. The Online J.D. is designed for students who continue working while attending law school.

Students should plan to dedicate about 30 hours per week to coursework, including live online class sessions and asynchronous learning, as well as reading and studying. Students must also participate in required in-person learning experiences held 1-3 times per year at the law school. These experiences last 4-5 full days and may require time away from work. 

The live online class sessions each week will be offered in Eastern Time during the evening. 

The Online J.D. includes eight required in-person learning experiences: 

• Year 1: August, November, April 

• Year 2 and 3: November and April 

• Year 4: April 

These immersive in-person experiences, held over four- to five-day weekends, are intentionally designed to strengthen your professional identity, enhance practical lawyering skills, and build lasting connections with classmates, faculty, and the Rutgers Law community. Most sessions will be hosted at our Camden, New Jersey, campus, conveniently located 5-10 minutes from Center City Philadelphia via car or public transit, and a short drive from Philadelphia International Airport.

Yes. Online J.D. students will have access to many of the same academic support, professional development, experiential learning opportunities, and career resources available to Rutgers Law students. 

Yes. Students who live nearby Rutgers Law School may be permitted to take upper-level in-person courses if their schedules allow and space permits. In addition, Rutgers Law School currently allows students to earn up to six credits outside the J.D. curriculum, such as from other graduate programs at Rutgers University. Students should consult with their academic advisors on which courses would be accepted before registering for those courses. 

Rutgers Law School does not offer a full-time program in a mostly online format. Students who wish to transfer from the Online J.D. into the full-time, in-person J.D. program will be considered on a case-by-case basis. 

Yes. Rutgers Law School also offers a mostly in-person part-time program based at our Newark, New Jersey, campus. 

Yes. The curriculum is designed to provide the doctrinal knowledge, legal skills, and professional competencies necessary for bar preparation and legal practice. Students will receive information and support on preparing for the bar exam throughout their legal education. In the fourth year, students complete a capstone course to culminate their legal education and begin the intensive bar exam study process. After graduation, students will have access to a non-credit bar preparation and review course offered by a third-party provider. 

Online J.D. students will be eligible to take the bar exam in any state except New York and Alabama. The New York Bar currently limits the allowed number of “distance education” credit hours, though some students may qualify for a waiver to sit for the bar exam in New York, per Rule 520.3 of the New York Court of Appeals. The Alabama Bar requires an applicant to be a “resident student,” meaning that they attended law school in person. Prospective students should review current bar admission requirements in the jurisdictions where they intend to practice. 

Yes. Many professionals pursue a J.D. not to become practicing attorneys, but to advance careers in business, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, compliance, government, human resources, consulting, and other fields. Legal training can strengthen your leadership, analytical, negotiation, and risk-management skills while helping you navigate complex legal and regulatory environments.

In addition, many organizations and companies value legal training without requiring bar admission. These “J.D. Advantage” roles can be found in compliance, regulatory affairs, contract management, policy, labor relations, risk management, and corporate leadership. The Rutgers Law Online J.D. allows students to gain these skills and credentials while continuing to build careers. 

Yes. Online J.D. students will be charged by the credit hour at the part-time rate, based on their residency status. Learn more about current tuition and fee rates.

Yes. Hybrid J.D. students are eligible for scholarship consideration from Rutgers Law School and federal loans. Students are also encouraged to apply for outside scholarships. 

Yes. Students who may be eligible for tuition assistance from their employer should check with their employer about meeting their requirements. 

Yes. Rutgers Law School offers over 50 student-run organizations, including the Part-Time Student Law Caucus. Many offer opportunities for virtual participation. Learn more about student organizations based on our Camden campus and open to students in this program.  

Yes. This program offers mostly online courses and is open to students anywhere. Students must travel to New Jersey between 1-3 times per year for in-person requirements. 

Yes. This program is open to international students. Keep in mind that synchronous courses will be offered in Eastern Time, so differences in time zones may make it difficult for some international students to enroll.

Students will need reliable internet access and a computer capable of supporting video conferencing, online coursework, and other law school applications. Review Rutgers’ technical specifications for recommended computers.

As Rutgers students, Online J.D. students will have access to a variety of university-supported technology resources and software. Additional program-specific technology, software, or equipment requirements will be shared as they are finalized for specific courses. The program is being designed to use widely accessible technologies and minimize the need for specialized hardware whenever possible.