Law Schools Part Time

Part-time law school lets you earn the same Juris Doctor over about four years instead of three, usually through evening or reduced-load classes so you can keep working. Many ABA-approved schools offer part-time or evening J.D. programs, and graduates sit for the same bar exam. Admissions still center on the LSAT or GRE and your GPA.

By Ali Unar, JD candidate at Georgetown Law and founder of Lovare Institut. Last updated August 2026. Figures on this page were verified in August 2026 or point readers to the current source.

What is part-time law school?

Part-time law school is a Juris Doctor program taken on a reduced course load, most often in the evening, so students can keep a job or manage other commitments while studying. The degree earned is the same J.D. as the full-time program, and graduates sit for the same bar exam. Many ABA-approved schools, especially in cities, run part-time or evening divisions.

How long does a part-time J.D. take?

A part-time J.D. usually takes about four years, compared with three years for full-time study, because students take fewer credits each term. Some programs offer flexibility to shift between part-time and full-time pace. As with full-time study, graduates then prepare for and take a state bar exam before practicing.

Which law schools offer part-time programs?

A wide range of ABA-approved schools offer part-time or evening J.D. options, and they are especially common at urban schools that serve working professionals. Some well-known universities run long-established evening divisions, while many regional schools do as well. Because offerings change, confirm current part-time enrollment and structure in each school's ABA Standard 509 report. about 196 ABA-approved law schools.

Is part-time law school worth it?

Part-time law school can be worth it for people who need to keep working, letting them earn income and limit debt while studying, and it suits career-changers and those with family responsibilities. The trade-offs are a longer timeline, a heavy combined workload, and sometimes less access to daytime clinics or on-campus interviewing. Weigh those factors against your finances and goals.

Frequently asked questions

Can you go to law school part time?

Yes, you can attend law school part time at many ABA-approved schools that run part-time or evening J.D. divisions. These programs are designed for students who work or have other commitments, and they lead to the same degree as full-time study. Not every school offers a part-time track, so confirm availability at the schools on your list. see the linked source (see the linked source).

How many years is part-time law school?

Part-time law school generally takes about four years, compared with three for a full-time J.D., because students carry a lighter course load each term. Some schools allow a flexible pace or a switch to full-time along the way. After graduating, part-time students take the same bar exam as everyone else before they can practice law.

Do part-time law students get the same degree?

Yes, part-time law students earn the same Juris Doctor as full-time students and sit for the same bar exam. The diploma does not distinguish between part-time and full-time study. The main differences are the pace and schedule, not the credential, though part-time students may have less access to some daytime programs like on-campus interviewing and certain clinics.

Which law schools have evening programs?

Many ABA-approved law schools, particularly in major cities, run evening or part-time divisions, including some long-established programs at well-known universities. Because offerings change over time, the reliable way to find them is to check each school's ABA Standard 509 report and admissions page for a part-time or evening option. about 196 ABA-approved law schools.

Sources

• ABA-Approved Law Schools

Verified August 2026.