Online JD
- Online Coursework
- Experiential Opportunities
- Competitive Tuition Rates Nationally
Learn Law. Live Justice.
CSU | Law offers one of the few ABA-accredited online J.D. programs in the country. It is nationally ranked and designed for affordability and access without having to relocate — tuition rates are competitive for both in- and out-of-state students.
With this world-class program, you can achieve your goal of earning an online J.D. degree part-time in as little as three years and one semester, while maintaining your professional and personal life. Students take courses year-round (Fall, Spring and Summer semesters) and complete 90 credits over as few as 10 semesters (three years and five months).
The program is designed with both asynchronous and synchronous work each week, with live classes scheduled Monday-Thursday evenings. The time commitment for the program is approximately 30-40 hours a week.
The J.D. program features a total of six required residential weekends (generally Friday-Sunday), allowing you to connect in person with fellow students as well as CSU | Law faculty and staff. You’ll also earn credit by participating in immersive lawyering skills training and have opportunities to network with distinguished CSU | Law alumni. The dates are set well in advance, giving you plenty of time to plan.
CSU College of Law
American Bar Association
#103 Best Law Schools1
Higher Learning Commission
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Whether you’re looking to expand your skill set to become more effective in your job or you want to fulfill your goal of becoming an attorney to advocate for others, CSU College of Law’s Online J.D. presents an affordable and flexible pathway to reach your goal.
Gain practical legal training through integrated, experiential learning opportunities.
- Clinic programs provide legal practice in the service of real clients with real legal problems under the close supervision of a Clinical Professor.
- Externships with a supervising attorney or judge provide practical learning in real-world legal settings.
- Mentorship with a CSU alumnus to connect you directly to the profession and help guide your professional development.
- A total of six in-person weekend residencies on campus build skills in our technologically advanced trial classrooms and state-of-the-art learning commons, and connect in person with prominent lawyers and judges.
Achieve your goal of becoming an attorney while still engaged in your professional life.
- 100% online coursework is synchronous and asynchronous, as well as a total of six in-person weekend residencies on campus.
- Earn while you learn part-time — finish in as little as three years and five months.
- Be fully prepared to take the bar exam and start your career as an attorney.
Learn from a leader in education with a legacy of justice.
- Specialized courses in health law, business law, corporate compliance, criminal law, cybersecurity and space law are available.
- Certificates are available in Cybersecurity and Health Law.
- CSU graduates have a strong history in social justice, including women’s suffrage and civil rights.
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Whether you’re looking to expand your skill set to become more effective in your job or you want to fulfill your goal of becoming an attorney to advocate for others, CSU College of Law’s Online J.D. presents an affordable and flexible pathway to reach your goal.
Gain practical legal training through integrated, experiential learning opportunities.
- Clinic programs provide legal practice in the service of real clients with real legal problems under the close supervision of a Clinical Professor.
- Externships with a supervising attorney or judge provide practical learning in real-world legal settings.
- Mentorship with a CSU alumnus to connect you directly to the profession and help guide your professional development.
- A total of six in-person weekend residencies on campus build skills in our technologically advanced trial classrooms and state-of-the-art learning commons, and connect in person with prominent lawyers and judges.
Achieve your goal of becoming an attorney while still engaged in your professional life.
- 100% online coursework is synchronous and asynchronous, as well as a total of six in-person weekend residencies on campus.
- Earn while you learn part-time — finish in as little as three years and five months.
- Be fully prepared to take the bar exam and start your career as an attorney.
Learn from a leader in education with a legacy of justice.
- Specialized courses in health law, business law, corporate compliance, criminal law, cybersecurity and space law are available.
- Certificates are available in Cybersecurity and Health Law.
- CSU graduates have a strong history in social justice, including women’s suffrage and civil rights.
This course covers the general concepts of criminal law, the purposes of punishment and the general principles of criminal responsibility. Other topics may include attempts, parties, conspiracy, specific crimes against the person, the habitation and the property and defenses available to the accused. Required for graduation. (3 credits)
Torts consider injuries to persons and property, both intentional and unintentional, and may include physical, dignitary and economic harm. The course examines the three basic theories of civil liability — intentional torts, negligence and strict liability — and considers issues of duty, causation and defenses to liability. The course may also consider the overall goals of the torts system, the allocation of responsibility between judge and jury and the interplay of statutes and the common law process. Required for graduation. (3 credits)
In this experiential simulation course, you will learn about the type of work that transactional lawyers do and the fundamental skills that a transactional practice requires. This course will provide you with multiple opportunities to practice skills like problem-solving, project management, identifying pathways to meet client goals, conducting effective client meetings, and the basics of successful negotiation. You will also learn how the work of transactional lawyers differs from litigators and the best ways to locate appropriate practice resources. The course will include ten asynchronous modules and 5 synchronous Zoom meetings. (3 credits)
Learn More
We’re here for you and ready to help you with enrollment and answer your questions about the program, including tuition, admission requirements, curriculum details and more.
REAL-WORLD EXPERIENCE
ENGAGED LEARNING™
Hands-on practice complements online coursework.
Engaged learning provides real-world opportunities to immerse yourself in the practice of law and apply your growing knowledge. Engaged learning relies heavily on teamwork skills and provides an arena where you work professionally with community partners, your peers and CSU faculty members. Engaged learning combines civic involvement with academic coursework in a way that benefits you and the community.
HEAR FROM OUR FACULTY
"This program has been wonderful on so many levels. From Dean Fisher’s incredible vision and energy to the professors, who are brilliant and generous with their time, to the administrators making sure everything is running smoothly, I cannot say enough good things about this program. It has been an amazing experience, and I have loved every single minute of it...I can remain in the community I serve and love while studying law at home."
- Van Carney, CSU Online JD Student
Yes. The CSU College of Law is accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA). Cleveland State University is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
CSU College of Law’s online J.D. program costs $1,178.75* per credit hour for in-state students ($106,087.50 total* + fees) and $1,179.75* per credit hour for out-of-state students ($106,177.50 total* + fees). Financial aid may be available to our online students. Students may also apply for external scholarships.
*Tuition rates as of 01/22/2024. Rates are subject to change. Visit csuohio.edu/bursar/tuition-and-fees for current rates.
This 10-semester program requires 90 credits of online coursework and practical, experiential learning hours. It can be completed part-time in as little as 3 years and 3 months.
Yes. You will complete 6-weekend residencies, earning in total 3 academic credits. Residency will usually begin on Friday and end on Sunday. Plan to be fully engaged for the whole weekend.
The Legal Landscape by the Numbers
Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and Lightcast
1Cleveland State University College of Law was ranked as the #103 best law school nationally in 2024 by U.S. News and World Report.
