Concord Law School (Kaplan)

[publius2k4]

I'd like to hear this forum's opinions on Concord Law School - Kaplan University.

They have an Executive JD degree that is 3 years in length. The tuition is $10k per year plus fees, and the program is eligible for federal financial aid. This program has a lot of practicality in my field, so with its price, I'm very intrigued (even though it's from a for-profit).

Thoughts? Opinions?

[sanantone]

I don't see how this is any better than getting a masters in CJ for a lot less.

[Prloko]

I'd like to hear this forum's opinions on Concord Law School - Kaplan University.

They have an Executive JD degree that is 3 years in length. The tuition is $10k per year plus fees, and the program is eligible for federal financial aid. This program has a lot of practicality in my field, so with its price, I'm very intrigued (even though it's from a for-profit).

Thoughts? Opinions?

Is this the one that the ABA has not endorsed? I think you can only practice law in California. It can still come in handy for jobs that require a JD, like contract manager, but I would research before investing money in the program.

[sanantone]

The executive JD is not even good for practicing law in California.

[publius2k4]

I don't see how this is any better than getting a masters in CJ for a lot less.

A masters degree in CJ covers a completely different curriculum that focuses mainly on crime and punishment (victimology, criminology, community based corrections, etc.) The Executive JD is more in depth with courses related more to the judicial system itself (Torts, contracts, legal writing, civil and criminal procedure, etc.).

Is this the one that the ABA has not endorsed? I think you can only practice law in California. It can still come in handy for jobs that require a JD, like contract manager, but I would research before investing money in the program.

You are right. This program is not ABA accredited. However, the Executive JD is not designed for students seeking to practice law. It's for current professionals looking to further their legal education.

That being said, a student graduating from this program and passing the California Bar could also practice in some other states. For example, if an attorney is a member of the Bar in any other state, that attorney can sit for the Bar in the state of Georgia, regardless of their educational background.

[dewisant]

http://www.amazon.com/Law-School-Bible-L...law+school

This book answers a lot of questions. I've read it twice so far.

[sanantone]

A masters degree in CJ covers a completely different curriculum that focuses mainly on crime and punishment (victimology, criminology, community based corrections, etc.) The Executive JD is more in depth with courses related more to the judicial system itself (Torts, contracts, legal writing, civil and criminal procedure, etc.).

How would that be better for someone in correctional leadership? Today's prisons focus more on rehabilitation. A law degree will give you almost no training in the behavioral sciences and correctional therapies.

That being said, a student graduating from this program and passing the California Bar could also practice in some other states. For example, if an attorney is a member of the Bar in any other state, that attorney can sit for the Bar in the state of Georgia, regardless of their educational background.

Are you sure about that? Are you sure this program would qualify someone to take the California Bar?

Enrollees also have somewhat more flexibility in their pace of study as they are not required to adhere to the strict guidelines of the State Bar of California.

Executive JD Degree Program - EJD Degree | Concord Law School

There are masters degrees in legal studies. Some of them probably cost less than $30k.

[deucess]

Concord is a school I've been interested in for a few years. I first heard about it when I attended a law conference and a Concord alumni told me how one of its graduates sued the bar and won because he wasn't "qualified" to seat for the Massachusetts bar exam.

Concord is not ABA approved, but only because the ABA standards made it difficult for Concord to adhere. The ABA has strict standards on school approval and on how a student may seat for and/or admit to the bar. One for example, Massachusetts along with all the other states, with the exception of California, requires that your law training be done in a physical classroom and such training cannot be done long distance/online, although some law schools in many states are catching on with the idea of online education, becoming less lenient and allowing the students to take law classes online, but the number of courses/credits one may take is limited. California, however, is the only state that does it differently, for example you don’t need a bachelor to attend law schools, you only need an AA, and with Concord you can do your law training fully online.

What I like about Concord is that after your first year, you take a mandatory exam which you must pass in order to continue with your degree. That to me makes you dig down and really think about law school before wasting additional years and money. And for someone like me who loves law and works in corporate America, and has no interest in becoming a lawyer, the executive program is really enticing and I can see its benefits.

Not many many know this but Concord has four more of its graduates admitted into the Supreme Court, including the guy that sued the Bar.

Like Publius2k4 said, you can get admitted to other states besides California. Just read the bar's requirements for your state or the state you wish to practice law. Some states require to be a practiced attorney for a few years prior to take that state's exam if you did not attend a school that's accredited by the ABA or an Association Law Schools, and if you don't plan on moving to California to practice law there that could be a problem.

[publius2k4]

**duplicate**

[publius2k4]

Are you sure about that? Are you sure this program would qualify someone to take the California Bar?

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