Part-time and evening J.D. programs
Confirm directly with each school whether 1L doctrinal courses are taught separately for part-time students or shared with the full-time cohort, and whether part-time students face any restriction on early participation in journals, moot court, or on-campus interviewing.
Nontraditional applicants and career changers
Admissions committees generally view a nontraditional applicant's post-undergraduate work experience as a genuine asset instead of a gap to explain, provided the personal statement and resume connect that experience to a clear, specific interest in law instead of treating law school as a generic fallback.
An older undergraduate GPA, a lower GPA from years earlier in a different life circumstance, or a long gap since undergraduate study are common addendum subjects — address them briefly and factually instead of avoiding the topic.
The GRE route for this group specifically
The GRE route is worth serious consideration for a nontraditional applicant already holding a strong GRE score from another graduate-school application, since retaking a full LSAT preparation cycle from scratch may cost more time than it's worth if every target school accepts the GRE. Confirm GRE acceptance and any stated preference for the LSAT directly on each target school's own admissions page before committing to that route.
What LSAC and the ABA say about program length and part-time study
LSAC says most JD programs are three-year, full-time programs but many law schools also offer part-time programs that take approximately four years to complete. Admission to a U.S. JD program requires a bachelor's degree. ABA Standard 502 lets a school admit an applicant who has completed three-fourths of a bachelor's degree as part of a combined bachelor's and JD program. In an extraordinary case, a school may admit an applicant who does not meet those requirements. The applicant's experience, ability and other qualifications must clearly demonstrate an aptitude for the study of law.
ABA Standard 312 covers a school with more than one enrollment or scheduling option. All its students must have reasonably comparable opportunities. That covers access to the program, courses taught by full-time faculty, student services and co-curricular programs. Identical opportunities are not required. Standard 508 says student support services must be provided to all students regardless of enrollment or scheduling option. Ask each school directly.
Financing and the GRE, as of the sources' dates
LSAC says part-time students beginning after July 1, 2026 will receive a prorated federal Direct Unsubsidized loan amount instead of the full $50,000. Half-time enrollment as your school defines it is required for any federal loan.
ETS's October 4, 2022 release said 100 of the 199 ABA-accredited law schools then accepted the GRE. It also said the ABA's November 2021 decision confirmed the use of the GRE in law school admissions in lieu of the LSAT. That count is dated, so check ETS's current list and each school's admissions page. Note that ABA Standard 503 allows a school to admit up to 10 percent of an entering class without the LSAT only in defined cases. Those involve same-institution undergraduates or combined-degree students. Dates change; verify them.
How much of law school is part-time: the 2025 enrollment numbers
86 of 196 schools reported part-time first-year enrollees in the 2025 reports, 3,972 people in all. Against 42,812 first-year enrollees overall, that is 9.3%. The largest part-time first-year classes were at Mitchell/Hamline School of Law (227 of 364), Vermont Law School (158 of 290), New England Law/Boston (97 of 451).
Only 54 schools list a part-time tuition rate. Their median is $39,465 a year, with a range from $10,484 to $75,496. Part-time programs take longer, so compare total cost, not the annual figure.
| Law school | Part-time first-years | All first-years |
|---|---|---|
| Mitchell/Hamline School of Law | 227 | 364 |
| Vermont Law School | 158 | 290 |
| New England Law/Boston | 97 | 451 |
| South Texas College of Law Houston | 94 | 437 |
| University of New Hampshire | 92 | 248 |
Common questions
How long does a part-time JD program take?+
About four years, according to LSAC, compared with three years for most JD programs, which LSAC says are full-time. Confirm the schedule with each school.
Must part-time law students have comparable access to programs?+
Yes, reasonably comparable. ABA Standard 312 requires access to the program, full-time faculty courses, student services and co-curricular programs, though identical opportunities are not required.
Can I get federal loans as a part-time law student?+
Yes, if enrolled at least half-time as your school defines it, but LSAC says the annual Direct Unsubsidized amount will be prorated from the $50,000 full-time limit.
Do I need a bachelor's degree to enter a JD program?+
Generally yes. LSAC says a U.S. JD program requires one, with limited ABA exceptions for combined bachelor's and JD programs and extraordinary cases.
Do part-time students receive the same student services?+
ABA Standard 508 says a school must provide its student support services to all students regardless of enrollment or scheduling option.
How many ABA-accredited law schools accept the GRE?+
ETS reported that 100 of 199 accepted it as of October 4, 2022, so check ETS's list and each school's page for the current count.
Does work experience help a nontraditional applicant?+
LSAC says a candidate who succeeded in a nonacademic environment after undergraduate study may be seen as more motivated than one who continues education without a break.
Should I confirm whether part-time students take the same 1L classes?+
Yes. Ask each school whether 1L courses are taught separately or with the full-time cohort, and about early journal, moot court and interview access.
What to do next
- 1
Confirm directly whether a target school's part-time program restricts early journal, moot court, or OCI participation.
- 2
If you already hold a strong GRE score, check each target school's current GRE policy before assuming you need the LSAT.
- 3
Address a work gap or an older GPA briefly and factually in an addendum instead of in the personal statement.
- 4
Treat post-undergraduate work experience as a genuine asset to build the personal statement around.