Online Juris Doctor (J.D.) Program

In addition to its successful, traditional in-person program, San Joaquin College of Law is now offering a remote J.D. option beginning in Fall 2023. This remote option accommodates working professionals, non-local students, parents and caretakers, and any student who may need more flexibility to complete law school. SJCL’s remote courses will be taught via Zoom in a synchronous learning environment with live in-person classroom instruction. Remote option students will be visible not only to the Professor but also to students attending in-person, providing the opportunity for a highly interactive, collaborative learning environment. Students will enroll in the in-person or remote option track each fall but will have the opportunity and flexibility to switch tracks before each new academic year. Whether you are in the in-person or remote option, the classes, requirements, and the high-caliber legal education remain the same – just the method of attendance changes.

SJCL's innovative remote option program reflects the philosophy that a high-quality legal education requires interaction with classmates and professors. Engaging with the school community, building relationships with classmates and professors, and participating in robust classroom discussions and exercises is essential. Real-time classes help students to challenge assumptions, think critically, and deepen their understanding of legal concepts. Upon graduation, graduates from the remote option receive the same Juris Doctor degree as students who are on campus and are qualified to sit for the California bar exam.

Law School 101

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Join us for a free session on the Law School Admission Test (LSAT), led by San Joaquin College of Law's Professor Andrew Kucera, to develop strategies to approach the analytical thinking questions on the LSAT.

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SJCL Remote Option FAQs

Can I earn my J.D. entirely online?
Yes. You can complete SJCL’s J.D. program requirements virtually by enrolling in SJCL’s Remote Option (“Remote Option”). All required courses and exams may be completed virtually.
How are classes in the Remote Option structured?
The Remote Option offers a synchronous learning environment with live instruction. Students in the Remote Option attend the same classes at the same time as in-person students virtually via zoom. To be marked present in a class session, remote students must be visible on camera and must answer questions and participate in class to the same extent as in-person students. If you are driving, not visible, conducting side conversations, etc., you will not be marked present.
If I start in the Remote Option, can I switch to the in-person option?
Yes. Before the start of each semester, all students have the opportunity to switch options for the upcoming semester (Remote Option to in-person option and vice versa).
Can I choose to attend remotely on a course-by-course or day-by-day basis?
No. Students must enroll in the Remote Option or in-person option at the start of each semester for all classes for that semester.
If I enroll in the Remote Option, can I attend classes in-person? Or, if I enroll in the in-person option and I can’t make it to campus on a given day, can I attend the class virtually?
For attendance purposes, you will be allowed a certain number of flex days per course per semester. A flex day permits a Remote Option student to attend a class in-person. For in-person option students, a flex day permits a student to attend an in-person class virtually. The number of flex days allowed is based on a variety of factors, including the type of class and number of total class sessions. After reaching the maximum number of flex days, attending in a modality different from your chosen program option counts as an absence.
Can I watch the recording of my Remote Option class and still get credit for attendance?
No. Remote Option courses are taught live and must be attended at the time of the class session. However, all classes are recorded and accessible to all enrolled students. If you do miss class, we strongly encourage you to watch the recording so as not to miss the material communicated in class.
Will in-person students be able to see and interact with me as a Remote Option student?
Yes. SJCL has large monitors in the classroom where Remote Option students will be visible to the in-person class. In addition, there is a camera feed for the Remote Option students to see the in-person students in class along with a separate feed for the professor.
What are the technical requirements to be in the Remote Option?
You will be required to have a high-speed internet connection and a Mac or Windows laptop. See this page for specific technical requirements.