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
#121 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
“I applied to a lot of different programs. I did a lot of research, and my goal was specifically to do a hybrid online program because of my time constraints. I've got little kids. I have some nightly meetings being a supervisor and I own a business. So, I was specifically interested in the hybrid program. I applied to a bunch and when this one popped up and I saw it, I told my wife, I immediately knew that this one was the one that I was going to go to. There was something about the vibe that just seemed incredible positive, like there was a real community there. So, I came and visited, and it just solidified my instincts that it was the right fit for me, it had such a tight community I could just feel it.”
Van Carney, Online JD Student
“My favorite part about CSU’s Online J.D. so far has been the willingness of the faculty, the staff, the various departments that support us, career services support staff... everyone has been more than willing to help out. [The program] was definitely very well developed, you could tell that a lot of work went into it, and the support from the faculty, the deans, all of the staff has been amazing.”
Tony Dale, Online JD Student
“My personal inspiration to obtain my J.D. has been to further my career path in financial services. I've always wanted to be a lawyer. I never thought it was possible, so I'm so glad I found a program that will allow me to continue my career and pursue my dream... I chose Cleveland State’s online J.D. because I wanted to pass the bar, I wanted the best value for my money, I wanted hands-on experience, and I spoke with attorneys I worked with, and they said it was the best program out there.”
Sarah Waller, Online JD Student
“My favorite part of Cleveland State’s online JD is the residencies... The alumni lawyer that we had dinner with gave such good insight. It was really nice to see how somebody that went through the same things, how she's using the same degree that I'm looking to get and how she's using it in a proactive manner. I enjoyed meeting just the variety of people in this cohort... It's really awesome to see everybody's various backgrounds and where they're from and there's so many different professions. It's really awesome to see everybody come together for this.”
Raulla Simko , Online JD Student
“I have never really known what I wanted to be when I grew up. But being a paralegal and working alongside some of the best attorneys I've ever worked with, they inspired me to pursue this path... I chose Cleveland State's online JD program because it gave me the flexibility to still work full time to finish my active-duty contract and to be home with my family... My favorite part of CSU's online program so far has been the community that myself and the other students in the cohort have created. We are able to connect while being states apart, and it makes it feel like law school is a team sport rather than being just by myself and in a vacuum.”
Lindsey Boivin , Online JD Student
“I chose Cleveland State for a multitude of reasons. The first is it is online, so it makes it possible for me to obtain a J.D., as a mom, as a professional, as a business owner. And then I was attracted to Cleveland State because of its history, because of its focus on serving justice. The fact that it was one of the first law schools to accept women. And I just feel like 'Live justice’ hits close to my heart. I’ve chosen to serve the underserved... and I just feel like Cleveland State is passionate about serving and focusing on justice.”
Katie Vincent Sears , Online JD Student
“Whenever I think back personally about myself, one of the things that I see is public service... there's always some sort of cause of working for a greater good... before enrolling, I was in the Army, and after undergrad, I was a teacher for four years. And I think that's one of the things that struck me about Cleveland State as well, was that the motto of ‘Learn Law. Live Justice.’ I think that's why my background and experience has really helped me shape my ideals and beliefs. And I was thankful to find a university that echoed those ideals.”
Bradley Johnson, Online JD Student
“Cleveland State has always had a special place in my heart. My dad went to Cleveland State for his undergrad, and he finished his Juris Doctor at Cleveland State as well. I did my undergrad at Cleveland State, and it was really the only college that I thought about attending... it was just so clear to me how much the staff and the faculty really invest in their students and how much they're just as invested in our success as we are.”
Alana Misseldine, 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 12/05/2024. 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 #121 best law school nationally in 2025 by U.S. News and World Report.
