Ohio Northern University’s Pettit College of Law announced Thursday, March 7 the approval to launch a 100% remote Juris Doctorate (J.D.) program. Brenda Burgy, Director of Communications for Pettit, sent an email at 3 pm to the student, faculty, and staff listservs, providing details.
The program has received accreditation from the American Bar Association (ABA), positioning it as one of the few fully online, part-time J.D. programs in the United States. It aims to offer an affordable and flexible option for individuals seeking a career change or facing constraints such as full-time employment or family responsibilities.
Dean Charles H. Rose III commented on the significance of the program, noting Ohio Northern University’s position as one of only six law schools in the country to offer such an opportunity. Professor Allison Mittendorf, the program director, highlighted the university’s goal of extending its renowned legal education to a broader audience.
The curriculum will mirror that of resident full-time students, covering foundational legal subjects such as civil procedure, criminal law, and contracts. The online format will utilize both synchronous and asynchronous methods over an 11-semester period, with class sizes initially limited to 25 students with intent to be later expanded to 50.
Despite the remote delivery, students will have access to the same resources and opportunities as full-time students, including academic and career counseling, bar preparation support, and externships. The program also offers participation in various student organizations such as Law Review, Moot Court, and Trial Team.
The university plans to extend its merit scholarship funding to all law students, including those enrolled in the online program.
Some universities are cautious about launching fully remote J.D. programs due to concerns about regulatory compliance and accreditation standards, as well as skepticism about the effectiveness of online learning for legal education. Data from the AccessLex Institute and Gallup, part of a series, Law School in a Pandemic, Ungrouped: How Online J.D. Experiences Varied Across Students, reveals that specific student demographics, such as underrepresented students of color, caregivers, and older students, experienced increased emotional drain after attending online classes and reported a harder time communicating their feelings online compared to in-person.
However, proponents of fully remote J.D. programs highlight potential benefits such as accessibility and flexibility for individuals with competing responsibilities – arguing that remote programs can reach a broader audience beyond the institution’s immediate geographic region, potentially expanding its influence and reputation. Data reveals that students older than 35 years of age or part-time students were reported to be more likely to promote online classes in their JD program. Furthermore, 85% of caregivers, compared to 72% of non-caregivers, reported online courses afford more time to care for family members, while 66% of underrepresented students of color, compared to 58% of white or Asian students, reported online classes afford time to work to earn money.
I can finally get a law degree as prestigious as Saul Goodman’s!
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