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Article Series: Online Degrees
Is An Online
Degree Program For Me?
Can
I Get a Law Degree Online?
There
are many advantages
to enrolling in an online degree program. The
freedom to create a schedule, the amount of time devoted
to each project is determined by
the student, the environment in which they will study, an office,
kitchen, or one’s bedroom. Not having to go to classes two
or more times a week is another advantage. Being able to take
the computer to the local coffee house and study there is also
an advantage. But there are a few disadvantages such as time
management issues, needing more instruction on a particular
topic, and cost. Many disciplines, such as traditional majors,
administrative, business, marketing, even art majors have offered
classes online. This does not mean that all majors should be
offered online. A law degree, which takes an additional three
years of schooling, is a tough degree to earn. With mock trials,
case studies, and many areas of the law that are unclear, students
need mentors and instructors to answer questions and enlighten
students. But now it seems that some law schools are debating
on whether or not to add online classes to their courses of
study.
There are some basic law classes that could be taught online.
With little supervision, students can still do well and continue
with their education. But other classes, which require intensive
study and many reports written, it would be very difficult
to give every student what they need to succeed. If a person
cannot manage their time, they will not graduate from law school.
Many schools will not allow their students to work full-time
since there is so much to learn. Offering advanced law classes
online will make these students fall even further behind. Some
people would argue that these students shouldn’t be in law
school and should find another career.
Law
schools are looking into offering online classes to maintain
enrollment, which has fallen in recent years. With so many
lawyers entering into the workforce, many could not find jobs.
So people entering college decided to find other majors. In
an effort to bring enrollment numbers back up, schools have
considered to make classes more accessible to students who
can manage their time. These students are disciplined enough
to make their own study schedules and turn in papers on time.
For some students, this will ease the stress of going to classes
and having to squeeze in the time to study. For instructors,
they can spend more time with students.
Another reason law schools are exploring the online class
option is to compete with other universities. By offering online
classes, these universities can give another option to perspective
students who might choose the school based on the fact that
online classes are offered. This is a way to stay competitive.
Law schools are debating how to introduce new material and
how to schedule due dates and other scheduling issues. Law
students write lots of papers and briefs. They would need to
turn in projects quickly and still keep up with reading.
The most
obvious drawback to online classes is the fact
that class discussions, which make up a large part of law classes,
cannot be utilized if students are setting up their own study
times and schedules for completing projects. Talking about
law and learning how other people think about law and process
law is a huge component to the learning process. Debate groups
are formed to argue the sides of an issue. This is how people
learn how to argue. Online there are university chat rooms
where people meet to work on group projects, but it is much
harder to debate issues and cases over the computer. It is
important for people to meet and discuss legal aspects of cases.
Learn how to formulate thoughts and present them in a clear
manner is the cornerstone of a good lawyer’s career. This will
be lost in an online class.
Law schools have a long way to go before they decide to offer
a law school program online. For now, they may offer certain
classes. But the real learning comes form the classroom. Writing
papers and briefs is important, but knowing how to speak in
front of others and how to present an idea is essential to
becoming a great lawyer. # # # # #
SolveYourProblem.com
: 2007
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