The court of law student opinion is still skeptical of online J.D.’s and LL.M.’s.
"Virtually every law school utilizes the same books and curriculum, so what makes a difference is how hard a student works towards learning the law," he says. "Becoming an accomplished attorney can be achieved whether one attends Harvard [University], Yale [University], or Concord."
[Read about how LL.M.'s can lead to specialized legal jobs.]
Alumni of online law programs at NYU and Washington University may not have to defend their alma mater's reputation.
An online LL.M. from NYU has helped Brian Page, a tax attorney at Exxon Mobil in Houston, gain a technical understanding the law. "It's practical for any tax attorney," says Page, who also holds an MBA and a J.D. from Tulane University.
The unique benefits of an online LL.M., such as NYU's, include the ability to "rewind" lectures, the flexibility of the schedule, and the superior level of interaction on discussion boards, Page says.
Doyle, the hiring manager at McDermott, allows that an online LL.M. may be better than no LL.M., and NYU's LL.M. is more credible than a similar degree from a less prestigious school.
"But a brick-and-mortar LL.M. would be far more beneficial than an online LL.M. at this point," she says.
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