Online Hybrid JD
With the part-time Online Hybrid JD at Vermont Law and Graduate School, you can explore your passion, supercharge your career, and make a difference in your community and the world.
Delivered through a mixture of online classes and short, in-person residential sessions, the Online Hybrid JD offers the same rigorous legal education as the school’s residential JD, but with flexibility that allows working professionals to earn a law degree without giving up their ability to earn an income or having to move to Vermont.
The ABA-accredited program builds on the school’s decade-plus track record of delivering successful, impactful online degrees, where you can take advantage of the same engaging curriculum and expert professors as the school’s residential JD program. Additionally, students are able to take classes in subject areas that VLGS is widely known for, including environmental law, food and agriculture law, general practice, energy law, animal law, and restorative justice.
How does the Online Hybrid JD work?
The Online Hybrid JD program may be completed in as little as three years and one semester (a total of 10 semesters). The classes will primarily be in synchronous and asynchronous formats. Synchronous classes will be held virtually in the evenings Monday through Thursday, 6 to 9:30 p.m. ET. The asynchronous classes enable students to interact with classmates and faculty through discussion, projects, and feedback with no set meeting times. There will be two short, in-person (Thursday through Saturday) residencies held in Vermont during the first and sixth semesters, plus an optional third residency outside Vermont during the final semester. At the end of the program, students will be prepared to take the bar* and practice law in every state.
*Anyone wanting to take the bar in NY must petition the NY Bar for permission to sit for the NY Bar exam.
Who is the Online Hybrid JD for?
The Online Hybrid JD program was created for working professionals and people who have other obligations in their lives that may prevent them from doing a full-time residential program. The program’s hybrid (online and in-person), part-time nature allows you to manage your profession, life, and families, all while building a strong connection with fellow students and faculty. And by being able to maintain your career while earning your JD, you’ll be able to enter the field of law while minimizing long-term student debt.
What are the application requirements?
Applicants must have completed a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university prior to matriculating, and the LSAT is required for admission. LSAT and GPA percentages for our last incoming JD class can be found here. Students applying to any JD program are required to submit all application materials via LSAC.org.
Why Vermont Law and Graduate School?
Consistently ranked among the nation’s best environmental law schools by U.S. News & World Report, Vermont Law and Graduate School is home to the most comprehensive environmental law program in the country and groundbreaking restorative justice, energy, food and agriculture, and animal law programs. From its founding, Vermont Law and Graduate School has consistently attracted students and faculty with a passion for service, a concern for justice, and an interest in pursuing legal education as a means to make a difference in the world.
Online Hybrid JD Curriculum *
Fall
All Fall classes have a 3-day residency component.
| Class | Credits | Delivery |
|---|---|---|
| Legislation and Regulation | 2 | (S) |
| Civil Procedure | 4 | (S) |
| Legal Research and Writing | 2 | (S) |
| Essay Writing for Exams | 1 | (BR) |
| Subtotal: 9 credits | ||
Spring
| Class | Credits | Delivery |
|---|---|---|
| Legal Writing II | 3 | (S) |
| Professional Responsibility | 3 | (A) |
| Contracts | 4 | (S) |
| Subtotal: 10 credits | ||
Summer
| Class | Credits | Delivery |
|---|---|---|
| Criminal Law | 3 | (S) |
| Environmental Law/Energy Law/Food and Agriculture Law/Animal Law/ Restorative Justice/General Practice Elective | 3 | (A) |
| Subtotal: 6-7 credits | ||
Key:
(S): Synchronous
(A): Asynchronous
(BA): Blended delivery. Generally asynchronous, with a synchronous component.
(BS): Blended delivery. Generally synchronous, with an asynchronous component.
(BR): Blended delivery. Blended delivery begins with a residency component and transitions to an asynchronous component.
Fall
| Class | Credits | Delivery |
|---|---|---|
| Torts | 4 | (S) |
| Environmental Law/Energy Law/Food and Agriculture Law/Animal Law/ Restorative Justice/General Practice Elective | 3 | (A) |
| Environmental Law/Energy Law/Food and Agriculture Law/Animal Law/ Restorative Justice/General Practice Elective | 3 | (A) |
| Subtotal: 10 credits | ||
Spring
| Class | Credits | Delivery |
|---|---|---|
| Environmental Law/Energy Law/Food and Agriculture Law/Animal Law/ Restorative Justice/General Practice Elective | 3 | (A) |
| Evidence | 4 | (S) |
| Environmental Law/Energy Law/Food and Agriculture Law/Animal Law/Restorative Justice/General Practice Elective | 3 | (A) |
| Subtotal: 10 credits | ||
Summer
Summer includes a 3-day residency component.
| Class | Credits | Delivery |
|---|---|---|
| Constitutional Law | 4 | (S) |
| Embedded Racism in the Law | 1 | (A) |
| First Amendment Law | 3 | (A) |
| Weekend Intensive | 1 | (BR) |
| Subtotal: 9 credits | ||
Key:
(S): Synchronous
(A): Asynchronous
(BA): Blended delivery. Generally asynchronous, with a synchronous component.
(BS): Blended delivery. Generally synchronous, with an asynchronous component.
(BR): Blended delivery. Blended delivery begins with a residency component and transitions to an asynchronous component.
Fall
| Class | Credits | Delivery |
|---|---|---|
| Environmental Law/Energy Law/Food and Agriculture Law/Animal Law/ Restorative Justice/General Practice Elective | 3 | (A) |
| Environmental Law/Energy Law/Food and Agriculture Law/Animal Law/ Restorative Justice/General Practice Elective | 3 | (A) |
| Property | 4 | (S) |
| Subtotal: 10 credits | ||
Spring
| Class | Credits | Delivery |
|---|---|---|
| Environmental Law/Energy Law/Food and Agriculture Law/Animal Law/ Restorative Justice/General Practice Elective | 3 | (A) |
| Environmental Law/Energy Law/Food and Agriculture Law/Animal Law/ Restorative Justice/General Practice Elective | 3 | (A) |
| Experiential Simulation I: Transactional Law & ADR | 3 | (BS) |
| Subtotal: 9 credits | ||
Summer
| Class | Credits | Delivery |
|---|---|---|
| Constitutional Criminal Procedure | 3 | (S) |
| Environmental Law/Energy Law/Food and Agriculture Law/Animal Law/Restorative Justice/General Practice Elective | 3 | (A) |
| Experiential Simulation II: Civil Litigation & Criminal Law | 3 | (BS) |
| Subtotal: 9 credits | ||
Key:
(S): Synchronous
(A): Asynchronous
(BA): Blended delivery. Generally asynchronous, with a synchronous component.
(BS): Blended delivery. Generally synchronous, with an asynchronous component.
(BR): Blended delivery. Blended delivery begins with a residency component and transitions to an asynchronous component.
Fall
Fall includes an optional 3-day residency component.
| Class | Credits | Delivery |
|---|---|---|
| Bar Exam Skills and Tactics (BEST) | 3 | (A) |
| Appellate Advocacy | 3 | (BR) |
| Environmental Law/Energy Law/Food and Agriculture Law/Animal Law/ Restorative Justice/General Practice Elective | 3 | (A) |
| Subtotal: 8 credits | ||
Post Graduation – December Through February Bar Exam
| Class | Credits | Delivery |
|---|---|---|
| February Bar Prep – Dec. to Feb. Online Hybrid JD Curriculum includes a Barbri Bar Review Course at no additional cost to the student |
N/A | (A) |
Key:
(S): Synchronous
(A): Asynchronous
(BA): Blended delivery. Generally asynchronous, with a synchronous component.
(BS): Blended delivery. Generally synchronous, with an asynchronous component.
(BR): Blended delivery. Blended delivery begins with a residency component and transitions to an asynchronous component.
* The curriculum posted here provides a general overview of the Online Hybrid JD program and is subject to modification.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Online Hybrid Law Degree
What is the structure of the Online Hybrid JD Program?
The Online Hybrid JD is a part-time program that blends online coursework with two short in-person residencies in Vermont, and one optional residency outside Vermont. The program can be completed in as little as three years and one semester (a total of 10 semesters). Synchronous online classes are held Monday through Thursday evenings from 6 to 9:30 p.m. ET, while asynchronous components allow for flexible engagement. The in-person residencies occur during the first, sixth, and final semesters.
Who is the ideal candidate for this program?
The program is designed for working professionals and individuals with commitments that make attending a full-time residential program challenging. Its flexible structure enables students to balance their careers, personal lives, and education effectively.
What are the admission requirements?
Applicants must have completed a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution prior to matriculation. The LSAT is required for admission. Detailed LSAT and GPA statistics for the most recent incoming JD class are available on the program’s website.
How does the Online Hybrid JD differ from the traditional JD program?
While both programs offer the same rigorous legal education, the Online Hybrid JD provides greater flexibility through its part-time, primarily online format, making it suitable for those who cannot commit to a full-time, on-campus schedule.
Are there any in-person requirements?
Yes. The program includes two short, required in-person residencies in Vermont, held during the first and sixth semesters, plus an optional third residency outside Vermont during the final semester. Each residency runs from Thursday through Saturday.
Is the Online Hybrid JD Program accredited?
Yes, the program is accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA), ensuring it meets the standards required for legal education.
Will I be prepared to take the bar exam upon completion?
Graduates of the Online Hybrid JD Program will be prepared to sit for the bar exam and practice law in most states. It’s advisable to check specific bar admission requirements for the state where you intend to practice.
How can I apply to the Online Hybrid JD Program?
Prospective students can apply through the Law School Admission Council (LSAC) website. Ensure all application materials are submitted by the specified deadlines.
Who can I contact for more information?
To learn more, please contact the Office of Admissions at admiss@vermontlaw.edu or 802-831-1239.