The Growing Appeal of JD and Justice Studies Among Purpose-Driven Professionals

For years, you had to think long and hard about whether or not you could justify pursuing a legal degree. After all, the high cost, time commitment, and exclusivity of law school prohibited many people from pursuing degrees. Unfortunately, these restrictions have kept some great people from becoming lawyers and working in criminal justice.

Today, having to make such tough decisions about what you’re going to study and what career you want to pursue is less common. That’s because you can find some great accredited Juris Doctor and criminal justice programs online. The added accessibility has opened the door for many people to pursue careers they’re passionate about.

This benefits countless aspiring lawyers and criminal justice professionals, as well as the people they’ll help. Follow along as we explore how online JD and justice degrees are attracting a new generation of purpose-driven professionals.

Online Legal and Criminal Justice Degrees Have Changed the World

The rise of accredited online programs has made it much easier for many people to further their education. That’s especially true for those who want to become a lawyer or work in criminal justice. Of course, online JD and criminal justice programs still require a lot of work.

After all, legal work and criminal justice are quite serious, so it’s important to adequately prepare driven students. Making JD and justice degrees more attainable ensures that driven, passionate students can pursue their dreams. The rise of online JD and justice degrees has proven beneficial in many ways, including:

1. Unparalleled Accessibility

Juris Doctor and criminal justice programs sometimes require students to make sacrifices. Whether it be relocating to a different state or making financial sacrifices, not everyone can justify this decision. However, pursuing Juris Doctor and criminal justice degrees doesn’t require as many sacrifices thanks to online programs.

Such programs still require a lot of work, but you don’t necessarily have to put your life at home on hold. Not only does this save money, but it can also help you keep a job and maintain personal relationships. Previously, many people who were meant to become lawyers had to think about whether they could justify many of the costs beyond simple tuition.

Now, you can dive into a comprehensive legal curriculum even if you live hundreds of miles from the nearest law school. This is especially beneficial for people in isolated and underserved communities with fewer opportunities. Time will likely show that the rise of online degrees has improved equality in the legal and criminal justice fields. As online education progresses, one can only assume that online JD and justice degrees will become even more accessible.

2. Achieving Balance

JD and justice degree programs require a large investment of time, attention, and money. This can make balancing your professional, personal, and academic life quite difficult when attending a traditional law school. Luckily, you can more easily balance all your personal responsibilities with an online program.

This is great for all online JD and criminal justice students, especially for those who are currently working. Working while pursuing a degree previously eliminated all free time, but that’s not the case today. Now, you can work toward criminal justice careers while balancing online courses and a part-time job.

You no longer have to put your life on hold and forego income for a few years just to get a degree. This makes it easier to justify pursuing your dreams, and that benefits everyone. There’s no reason to experience burnout from balancing work, personal commitments, and school.

3. Lessening the Financial Burden

Before enrolling in Juris Doctor and criminal justice programs, some people only consider the cost of tuition. However, it’s everything else that makes pursuing law and criminal justice degrees so expensive. Supplies, rent, and basic living expenses quickly add up when relocating for school.

These costs are just as important to consider, but they’re not a factor with online JD and criminal justice degrees. The relatively low cost of online JD and justice degrees is far less prohibitive than traditional programs. Online education lets people set themselves up for a great future without incurring debt or spending a fortune. This gives more people the chance to work in law and criminal justice.

4. Flexibility

The fast-paced nature of traditional JD and justice degree programs can lead to burnout and affect anyone’s performance. Some people struggle to work at a fast pace because of their learning style and personal responsibilities. This can hold them back from excelling in some programs simply because the pace isn’t ideal for them.

That isn’t an issue with online JD and criminal justice programs, as there is much more flexibility. Students can access and complete many of the resources and lesson plans at their own pace, within reason. The level of flexibility naturally varies between programs, but it’s often generous.

Even having just slightly more wiggle room can improve someone’s performance. This ensures people can absorb valuable information without getting overwhelmed.

Taking the Next Step

The time and cost savings that come with online JD and justice degrees are invaluable. That’s especially true if you balance work with your online curriculum, whether the job is in your desired field or not. However, many people work entry-level jobs in their desired field while earning a specialized degree to maximize their potential.

Many online JD and justice programs also offer specializations that aren’t always available at every brick-and-mortar college. This makes it easier to get a job in the specific position you’ve dreamt of for years. You can accomplish a lot with a Juris Doctor degree, and having a specialization can help increase your earnings.

Figuring out the next step is somewhat easier if you aren’t struggling to balance your personal, academic, and professional life.

Juris Doctor and Criminal Justice Degrees Don’t Have to Be Exclusive

Today, your location and financial situation don’t have as big a hold on the degrees you can pursue. The rise of online legal and criminal justice degrees has opened the door for more people to pursue their dreams. Today, having a computer and a lot of discipline can help you work toward your dream job without relocating.

All of this can be done without sacrificing the quality of the curriculum and resources you receive. That improved accessibility is just as good for students as it is for the people they will eventually serve. This will ultimately ensure that crime labs and courtrooms are full of compassionate, driven people.