Discovering Flexible and Accredited US Law Degree Programs for Working Adults in 2025

What Makes a Program Suitable for Working Adults?

Before looking into specific programs, it’s helpful to understand some typical characteristics of law degree programs designed to support working adults:

• Flexible scheduling: Formats often include evening, weekend, or hybrid classes to facilitate part-time attendance.
• ABA accreditation: Ensures that the program meets established standards and eligibility for most state bar exams.
• Duration: Part-time programs usually range from 3.5 to 5 years in length.
• Cost considerations: Tuition may vary by credit or per academic year, reflecting part-time enrollment.
• Blend of online and in-person instruction: Some programs feature hybrid formats combining remote and campus-based classes.

Below is an overview of several ABA-accredited law degree programs notable for their flexibility in 2025.

Georgetown University Law Center — Part-time JD with Evening Classes

Overview: Georgetown offers a part-time JD program designed to accommodate working professionals through evening classes held on campus. It is well-regarded within legal education.

Program Structure:

• Evening classes held on campus to allow students to continue working during the day.
• Typically completed over approximately four years.
• Access to internship opportunities in Washington D.C., facilitating experiential learning.

Tuition & Admissions:

• Tuition approximately $2,950 per credit as of 2025.
• Admissions generally consider LSAT score and undergraduate GPA.
• Reported bar passage rate is around 90.5% for all programs.

Suitable for: Professionals seeking to pursue a reputable part-time JD with in-person evening instruction and related career resources.

Southwestern Law School — Hybrid Part-time Evening JD

Overview: Southwestern offers a hybrid part-time JD program combining online coursework with on-campus classes twice weekly, providing significant flexibility for full-time working students.

Program Structure:

• Four-year program with on-campus classes scheduled two nights per week.
• Online coursework includes live and self-paced sessions.
• Received ABA approval for a higher percentage of online credits.

Tuition & Admissions:

• Annual tuition approximately $36,894 (2025 figures).
• Application deadline typically in early April.
• Admissions review professional experience alongside academic credentials.

Suitable for: Working adults preferring a hybrid learning model that reduces time on campus while maintaining ABA accreditation.

Syracuse University College of Law — JDinteractive (JDi) Hybrid Program

Overview: Syracuse offers an ABA-approved hybrid JD program featuring at least half of instruction delivered live online, supplemented by some in-person elements.

Program Structure:

• Duration around three years and three months.
• Real-time online classes combined with recorded lectures.
• Limited enrollment to support interaction and instruction quality.

Tuition & Admissions:

• Tuition approximately $40,425 annually (2025 estimate).
• Application deadline usually around April 1st.
• Admissions selective to maintain program standards.

Suitable for: Students seeking interactive live online classes within an ABA-accredited hybrid JD framework.

University of Maryland Carey School of Law — Part-Time Evening JD Program

Overview: Maryland offers a part-time evening JD program designed to deliver a curriculum and academic experience comparable to full-time programs, supporting working professionals.

Program Structure:

• Evening classes catering to students balancing work commitments.
• Four-year typical completion.
• Access to faculty support and extracurriculars.

Tuition & Admissions:

• 2025 tuition estimated at $25,817 annually for in-state part-time students and $36,984 for out-of-state.
• Admissions consider LSAT, GPA, and professional experience.
• Bar passage rates for part-time students approximately 74.9%.

Suitable for: Individuals seeking a traditional part-time evening JD with potential cost advantages for in-state residents.

Additional Notes for Working Adults Pursuing a JD

• ABA Accreditation: Generally required to qualify for bar exams in most U.S. states.
• Learning Formats: Programs vary among hybrid, weekend-only, and evening-only schedules.
• Program Length: Part-time formats extend the time to degree completion but maintain employment opportunities.
• Cost & Financial Planning: Tuition and fees vary widely; working adults should consider financial aid and budgeting accordingly.
• Application Timelines: Most programs have early-year deadlines, commonly in March or April.

Conclusion

In 2025, several ABA-accredited law degree programs offer flexibility to working adults through part-time, evening, and hybrid formats. Programs at Georgetown, Southwestern, Syracuse, and the University of Maryland provide diverse options in scheduling, academic experience, and cost. Selecting the appropriate program depends on individual preferences regarding location, learning style, financial considerations, and career objectives. These programs aim to accommodate professional commitments while supporting progress toward a legal career.

Sources

• Juris Education: The Best Law Schools With Online Programs
• Blueprint LSAT: The Best Accredited Part-time Law Programs
• Student Loan Planner: 8 Impressive ABA-Approved Online Law School Options

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