Part-Time Law School Rankings

Georgetown University Law Center, located in Washington, D.C., has long been recognized as one of the nation's top law schools. Among its many notable strengths, one of the standout features of Georgetown Law is its highly ranked Part-Time Program, which was ranked No. 1 in the nation by U.S. News & World Report in its rankings of 87 part-time J.D. programs at ABA-accredited law schools.

The Georgetown Law Part-Time Program

The Georgetown Law Center’s Part-Time Program provides a comprehensive legal education while accommodating the schedules of students who need to work or tend to other obligations while studying. The structure of the program is designed to ensure that part-time students receive the same high-quality education as their full-time counterparts, while also offering the flexibility to balance school with other commitments.

This program is completed over eight semesters, or four academic years, with one additional summer session. Part-time students take a reduced course load compared to full-time students, which allows them to maintain their professional careers during the duration of their studies. However, despite the flexible schedule, the Part-Time Program still provides the same rigorous coursework, which includes core classes in constitutional law, civil procedure, criminal law, and contracts, as well as elective courses that allow students to specialize in areas such as intellectual property, international law, and environmental law.

One of the key advantages of Georgetown’s Part-Time Program is that students have access to the same resources as full-time students. They can participate in the same clinical programs, engage in the same extracurricular activities, and have access to the same faculty. The law school’s location in Washington, D.C., also offers part-time students numerous opportunities to engage with leading legal professionals, government agencies, non-profit organizations, and other influential players in the legal and policy arenas. This provides invaluable hands-on experience and networking opportunities that can significantly enhance students’ career prospects.

Georgetown’s Part-Time Program is also designed to be highly supportive, with a strong emphasis on career development, academic advising, and student wellness. The school offers career services tailored to part-time students, including resume reviews, interview preparation, and job search assistance. Part-time students also have access to the law school’s extensive alumni network, which includes many professionals who have completed the same part-time program and can offer mentorship and guidance.

George Washington University Law School

Not far behind Georgetown in the rankings is George Washington University Law School (GWU), which is ranked 2nd nationally for its Part-Time J.D. Program. Like Georgetown, GWU offers a comprehensive and flexible option for students who need to balance their law studies with other professional or personal commitments. The Part-Time (Evening) Division at GWU is specifically designed for students who wish to pursue their J.D. degree without interrupting their careers.

Students enrolled in GWU’s Part-Time Division typically take eight semesters to complete their degree, which amounts to four years of study. Like Georgetown’s program, the GWU part-time program includes one summer session to help students stay on track and finish their degree in a reasonable time frame. The program is designed to offer a similar depth of study and academic rigor as the full-time program, with core legal courses such as civil procedure, contracts, and torts, along with various elective offerings that allow students to specialize in different areas of law.

GWU’s part-time program is structured to accommodate working professionals who are unable to attend law school during the day. The courses are typically held in the evening, which allows students to work during the day and attend classes in the evenings. This flexibility makes the program attractive to individuals who are already employed or have other significant time commitments, but still want to pursue a law degree.

In addition to the flexibility in scheduling, students at GWU’s Part-Time Division have access to the same high-caliber legal education and resources as full-time students. This includes opportunities for participation in the school’s prestigious clinics, externships, moot court competitions, and student organizations. Students in the Part-Time Division can also take advantage of GWU’s location in Washington, D.C., where they can connect with potential employers in a variety of sectors, including government, corporate law, and public interest law.

GWU’s strong alumni network and comprehensive career services support students as they seek to transition into the legal workforce or further their careers in law. Part-time students at GWU receive the same level of personalized career counseling as full-time students, ensuring that they are well-prepared for the job market upon graduation.

 
Ranking of Part-time Law Schools (Top 40 list):
1 Georgetown University Washington, DC
2 George Washington University Washington, DC
3 Fordham University New York, NY
4 American University (Washington) Washington, DC
5 George Mason University Arlington, VA
6 University of Maryland Baltimore, MD
7 Temple University (Beasley) Philadelphia, PA
   University of San Diego San Diego, CA
9 University of Denver (Sturm) Denver, CO
10 Illinois Institute of Technology (Chicago-Kent) Chicago, IL
11 New York Law School New York, NY
12 Seattle University Seattle, WA
13 Loyola Marymount University Los Angeles, CA
    Suffolk University Boston, MA
15 Georgia State University Atlanta, GA
16 Loyola University Chicago Chicago, IL
    Stetson University Gulfport, FL
18 University of Connecticut Hartford, CT
    University of Houston Houston, TX
    Yeshiva University (Cardozo) New York, NY
21 Catholic University of America (Columbus) Washington, DC
    DePaul University Chicago, IL
    Indiana University--Indianapolis Indianapolis, IN
24 William Mitchell College of Law St. Paul, MN
25 Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey--Newark Newark, NJ
    Santa Clara University Santa Clara, CA
27 Southwestern Law School Los Angeles, CA
28 Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey--Camden Camden, NJ
    University of Baltimore Baltimore, MD
    University of San Francisco San Francisco, CA
    University of the Pacific (McGeorge) Sacramento, CA
32 Lewis & Clark College (Northwestern) Portland, OR
33 University of Hawaii (Richardson) Honolulu, HI
34 South Texas College of Law Houston, TX
    University of Nevada--Las Vegas (Boyd) Las Vegas, NV
36 Seton Hall University Newark, NJ
    St. John's University Jamaica, NY
    St. Louis University St. Louis, MO
    Wayne State University Detroit, MI
40 John Marshall Law School Chicago, IL
    Michigan State University East Lansing, MI

Source: US News and World Report 2010

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