Going after a law degree can be expensive. But it is possible to do this without incurring any deep debts. For many of these students seeking to become lawyers, a part-time model of learning becomes more beneficial in terms of handling legal studies. In the case of looking for the least expensive part-time law schools in California, this guide will be able to help you out. This includes tuition, program design, and characteristics of the most suitable part-time law school for you. Also, check the complete law school guide.
Why Choose a Part-Time Law School Program?
Part-time law school programs provide opportunities that are of great importance particularly to students having responsibilities such as employment or family responsibilities. Listed below, are some of the reasons very many students go back to school in part-time law school. Moreover, Check how long it takes to complete law school.
Work-Life Balance: Evening or weekend classes are offered in part-time programs thus enabling the students to work while studying.
Cost of Study: Students in such programs can pay for school fees over a longer period of time in installments.
Less Strain: Seasonal coursework makes it possible for the students to emphasize on content retention and understanding since they study fewer subjects each term.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Part-Time Law School in California
For those who wish to find the least expensive part-time law schools in California, there are some factors that should be considered:
Tuition & Fees: Make sure that you investigate the tuition and fees which is the total amount in summation to come up with the least cost.
Accreditation: Take notice of what body endorses the law school as this determines your eligibility to sit for the bar examination.
Location: This explains prior factors about the distance of commuting arrangement of the law school.
Program Length: Most part-time programs require four years for completion but other institutions may make provisions for shorter programs.
Least Expensive Part-Time Law Schools in California
There are below some of the more affordable catholic law schools in California firstly by taking into consideration the tuition fees then accreditation of the institution and lastly the structure of the programs offered. Discover the top 10 law schools in the US.
California Southern Law School
Estimated fee: Per annum Approximately 12000 dollars.
Accreditation: Appropriately right the Committee of Bar Examiners of the State Bar of California accreditation.
Program Structure: California Southern Law is a working adult most part-time program allowing evening sessions for completion. It takes up to four years to complete this program.
Santa Barbara & Ventura Colleges of Law
Tuition Cost: Approximately from $12,000 to $13,000 yearly
Accreditation: The California State Bar has accredited it
Program Structure: Santa Barbara & Ventura Colleges of Law is a law school that has a flexible program of study on a part-time basis with classes designed at night so that students with jobs or other programs may attend. This period is about four years.
Monterey College of Law
Tuition Cost: About $15,000 Every Year
Accreditation: State Bar of California Bar Examiners, Committee on Bar Admissions
Program Structure: The As part of program instructional method offered at Monterey College of Law is part-time one accommodating working students. Lessons are conducted during the evenings and weekends and the course usually takes four years.
Lincoln Law School of Sacramento
Tuition Cost: Approximate yearly $14,000
Accreditation: California State Bar
Program Structure: The part-time alternative of the Lincoln Law School of Sacramento targets employed persons and offers classes in the evening. The length of this program is usually 4 years.
Humphreys University Drivon School of Law
Tuition: Close to $16, 000 per annum
Accreditation: Accreditation given by the California State Bar
Program Structure: The part-time law program offered at Humphreys University Drivon School of Law is ideal for students who want flexibility in their classes. It also has evening classes and can be completed within 4 years.
Additional Considerations for Affordable Part-Time Law Schools
Tuition is a factor, however, there are additional costs and factors to consider.
Books and Supplies: Additional expenditure may be incurred on the acquisition of books and or other study materials and supplies required in the courses.
Transportation and Parking: Remember to add the fare to the law school and possible parking costs, if any.
Bar Exam Preparation: These are extra courses nontraditional students may include such schools offer bar exam preparation programs or some other preparation for the bar exam as an additive.
How to Further Reduce the Cost of Part-Time Law School
Here are some tips for making law school more affordable:
Apply for Scholarships and Grants: Schools give students financial help in the form of scholarships and grants based on the performance of the student in law or the economic hardship faced by the students.
Work-Study Programs: Other institutions have programs known as work study, which transcends the employment of the students and encompasses relevant legal practice employment.
Employer Tuition Assistance: If you are employed you may want to check if your employer has a policy regarding tuition repayment or expenses for further education.
Conclusion
In short, going for the next cheap part-time law school in California would definitely lessen the financial burden most people fear when pursuing law education. Institutions such as California Southern Law School and Santa Barbara & Ventura Colleges of Law and Monterey College of Law offer lower fees and provide classes for working professionals.
Further, every school should be researched before making the decision with respect to its accreditation, programs and availability of financial aid programs. By all means, after some planning and consideration, it is still possible for one to get an employable and cheap part-time law program.
FAQs About Least Expensive Part-Time Law Schools in California
What is the average cost of a part-time law program in the state of California?
In the state of California, the average cost of part-time law degree programs differs but it is usually within the range of 12,000 dollars to 20,000 dollars depending on the institution.
Are the part-time law school programs offered in California ABA-accredited?
Some of these affordable part-time law schools in California have been registered with the California State Bar but many of them do not have ABA accreditation. Attending a non-ABA accredited law school may affect your law practice in states outside of California.
What is the full duration of the program progression of part-time law school?
In terms of program progression, part-time law school schedules take four years to complete while full-time schedules take three.
Can I work while attending a part-time law school in California?
Yes, such part-time law programs are meant for working professionals so classes are held mainly in the evenings and weekends.
What are the benefits of attending a non-ABA-accredited law school in California?
Although students of non-accredited law schools may not practice outside California, it is cheap and appeals to those students who are likely to only work in California.
Are there any scholarships available for part-time law students in California?
There are numerous merit-based and student-need-based scholarships granted to part-time students in many law schools.
Does the Law school part-time program include preparations for the Bar exam?
Some of the reputable part-time law schools in California give some students optional bar revision courses while others might cooperate with bar revision organizations. Contact the concerned institution for more.
Can part-time law school students take more classes to graduate early?
In some schools laws for part time students, students are allowed to take extra classes in order to finish the course faster, although this is at the discretion of the institution’s policies.
Are evening and weekend classes available for part-time law students?
Most part-time law schools in California do offer evening and weekend law class programs to working students.
How do I know whether a part-time law program is suitable for me or not?
Evaluate your working hours, financial state, and expectations in terms of your future career. Flexible practice is the core characteristic of a part-time program but this results in a prolonged period for graduation.