Part-time Law Degree | New Weekend Program

Creative scheduling places legal education within reach of modern working professionals.

Image of Dean Cornwell in front of Seton Hall law sign.

"The quality of the Weekend Program academic experience has totally exceeded our expectations.  The experience is unquestionably superior to attending law school in the evening."
John Kip Cornwell
Interim Dean, Seton Hall Law School

What many prospective law students truly seek when looking for a law school online is flexibility -- the ability to take courses at their own particular pace or on their own particular schedule. This need for flexibility is often motivated by career or family obligations. ”9-to-5” no longer describes most jobs in this country. Add to the work day family dinners, childcare needs and other unpredictable demands and it is clear to see the need for more flexibility in ABA-approved law school programs.   

"I am eternally grateful that Seton Hall Law offered the Weekend program at a time when I was unsure if I could go through with law school in the evenings. I know students have done the evening program for years but doing so with two children was not an option for me."

GERARD GREEN, J.D. '21

Seton Hall provides a hybrid JD option that may provide the best work-school-life balance for you. Prospective law students may earn their JD degrees in Seton Hall Law School's part-time weekend format. Courses are taught by the same talented professors who teach in our full-time division. When students in the part-time weekend program are not in the classroom they engage with teachers and peers through the use of technology. This flexible program empowers students to self-direct a portion of their learning experience where and when it fits into their lives. And, the Weekend JD is ABA-approved. A graduate of an ABA-approved school can sit for the bar examination in every state of the country, exponentially increasing your job opportunities upon graduation.  

How it works

You’ll attend classes on alternating weekends. During your first two years, you can anticipate being on campus 8:30-5:00 on Saturday and 9:00 to 2:15 on Sunday. Class work takes place over eight weekends each semester with one additional weekend for final exams. When not on campus, you’ll engage in self-directed activities and participate remotely in discussions with your professors and classmates using Seton Hall’s learning platform. After the first two years, course scheduling becomes even more flexible. You can continue the alternating weekend format, incorporate some weekday or evening classes, and take up to 15 credits entirely online.

First Year

FALL 2023

Torts 4 credits
Civil Procedure I 3 credits
Introduction to Lawyering I 3 credits
  Total Credits = 10

 

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SPRING 2024

Contracts 5 credits
Civil Procedure II 2 credits
Introduction to Lawyering II 3 credits
  Total Credits = 10

 

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Second Year

2L FALL  
Property I 3 credits
Constitutional Law I 2 credits
Criminal Law 3 credits
Appellate Advocacy 2 credits
  Total Credits = 10

 

2L SPRING  
Property II 2 credits
Constitutional Law II 3 credits
Professional Responsibility 2 credits
Persuasion and Advocacy 2 credits
On-line Elective 2 credits
  Total Credits = 11
 

Third and Fourth Year

3L FALL  
Business Associations 4 credits
Evidence 3 credits
Electives 5 credits
  Total Credits = 12
3L SPRING  
Electives 9 credits
AWR Course 3 credits
  Total Credits = 12
4L FALL  
Electives 12 credits
  Total Credits = 12
4L SPRING  
Electives 11 credits
  Total Credits = 11

 

Start Virtual Tour of Seton Hall Law School

One Community

Despite spending fewer hours within the halls of the building, Weekend Students have made the most of their opportunity and become a thriving part of the Law School community. Weekenders volunteered time at the local soup kitchen and gave back to the Newark community; they worked on behalf of real clients through the Seton Hall Law’s Center for Social Justice and wrote for Incarcerated Persons Workforce Re-Entry; and they visited detainees at the border to provide legal services. Many students were instrumental in starting and reviving new committees and student organizations throughout the law school, with some assuming prominent leadership positions on the Law Review and in the Student Bar Association, and achieving high placements in in Mock Trial and Moot Court competitions.

 

"We are very proud of this program. It is rigorous and challenging, but it leaves our students as prepared as anyone who went to law school full-time. We simply can’t wait to see the heights that our Weekend graduates will reach."

KATHLEEN BOOZANG, Dean and Professor of Law

 
 
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
  • How long does it take to complete the part-time JD?

    Our part-time program is 88 credits spread over four years, or 8 semesters. But with the addition of winter intersession, summer classes, externships, entirely online electives available after the second year, and other educational opportunities, you may accelerate your degree. Students in the part-time program earn the same ABA Accredited degree as students in the full-time program and should anticipate the same level of success in bar passage and job placement.

  • What is the tuition?

    Tuition and fees for the part-time program are available here.

  • Will I have access to support services on the weekend?

    You will be supported by law school professionals in all aspects of your legal studies and career search. We work with your schedule to allow you to excel at law school while continuing to perform well at work and lead balanced lives. That means that support is available not only on weekends but also remotely during the week. Further, programming tailored to your needs and interests as working professionals will be integrated into your weekend studies.

  • What is the distance learning component like?

    Distance learning includes interactive, online learning activities, discussion boards, and mini-assessments developed by your professor. Cutting edge technology provides you maximum scheduling flexibility while facilitating more intense engagement with classmates and professors. The distance learning component for any course offered every other weekend will comprise 1/3 of the instruction time.

  • Can I take more than 15 credits online?

    No. While the ABA has recently permitted JD students to take up to 30 credits online, Seton Hall has decided to retain the 15 credit limitation for two reasons. First, doing so ensures that all graduates are eligible to sit for the New York Bar Exam. Second, in limiting the number of credit hours, our faculty are able to create meaningful and purposeful online classes and roll them out in a way that will give students more variety over the entirety of their program of study.

  • What courses will I take first?

    First year courses include Civil Procedure, Contracts, Introduction to Lawyering, and Torts.

  • Will I have the same professors as the full-time students?

    Yes. All the required courses are developed and taught by the same distinguished faculty. These professors tailor instructional formats to the learning styles and busy schedules of working professionals.

  • Will I be able to participate in co-curricular activities?

    Yes. Part-time students will not only have opportunities to engage in co-curricular activities with full-time students, but also will have additional programming designed specifically to meet their unique needs.

    Beginning in the first year, you will be invited to join clubs, attend special lectures, and partake in social and community events with full-time students. Journal, moot court, and mock trial participation is available after completing your second year. Some co-curricular activities related to academic support, networking and career planning are designed in light of distinctive qualities and experiences of working professionals.

  • Is financial aid available?

    Yes. In addition to federal student loans, students may qualify for institutional scholarships, state grants, and private student loans. Further, considerations when awarding institutional merit scholarships may extend to professional experience and accomplishments highlighted on your resume.

  • Will Seton Hall Law still offer evening classes?

    Although there will be no formal evening division after currently enrolled students graduate, Seton Hall will continue to offer an array of elective courses at night during the year and in the summers. Weekend students are free to enroll in any offerings that fit their schedule once finished with required coursework. All required courses for part-time students are only offered in the weekend format. 

  • What is the best way to get to Seton Hall Law?

    Seton Hall is easily accessible by car, train (Newark Penn Station), and plane (Newark International Airport). If necessary, discounted hotel arrangements are available.

  • Is there a minimum LSAT/GPA required for admission?

    All applications are reviewed in a holistic evaluation process taking into consideration both traditional (all transcripts, LSAT or GRE score) and nontraditional (resume, work experience) elements.  Our current median undergraduate GPA is 3.49 and current median LSAT is 158. Applicants to the part time program are encouraged to include a full and complete résumé along with a personal statement that highlights their professional experiences and maturity for a rigorous law program so that these elements can be given their appropriate weight in the decision process.

  • How do I apply?

    You must create an account with the Law School Admission Council at lsac.org and submit your application, transcripts, and LSAT score through your account. GRE scores should be submitted through ETS. 


 
 

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