Online Advanced JD (AJD) Program
The Advanced Juris Doctor (AJD) Program is designed for graduates of foreign law schools and allows online students to complete a U.S. Juris Doctor (JD) degree in as little as 3 years students in the part-time, online AJD Program. This program enables graduates of foreign law programs to save time and money in earning their JD degree. Earning an AJD is an excellent pathway for those who plan to take a bar examination and work in the U.S. and for foreign lawyers practicing abroad looking to build their expertise in U.S. law. Advanced JD students are full members of our Law School community, and graduates receive the same degree and eligibility to take the bar examination as JD graduates when all other requirements are also met. Special note for online programs: based on current guidelines, online programs do not meet the bar admission requirements for some states. Applicants are encouraged to determine the requirements for any jurisdiction in which they intend to seek admission by contacting the jurisdiction. Addresses for all relevant agencies are available through the National Conference of Bar Examiners.
Qualified AJD students may be admitted with advanced standing and awarded up to 29 credits for their previous law study. Credits from an LLM earned at another U.S. institution can not be transferred. The decision on the number of credits to be granted will be made when your application is considered. Successful applicants will be notified at the time of admission about how many credits they will receive for their foreign study.
Eligibility
To be eligible for the AJD program, applicants must hold a law degree from an accredited or approved law school outside the U.S. Applicants may submit LSAT and/or GRE scores, but they are not required. Applicants do not have to be members of the bar in their home countries; however, their educational and professional experiences, including law school grades and practice background, are carefully considered by the Admissions Committee.
Currently, international students enrolled in our Online AJD Program neither need nor are eligible for an I-20 because the program can be completed entirely online with no in-person attendance required. As a result, International Student Services would currently not be able to issue an I-20 based on enrollment in the Online AJD Program for the purpose of attending in-person classes or obtaining F-1 student status.
For more information about the AJD Program, reach out to intlaw@hawaii.edu.
The Advanced JD program brings lawyers from all parts of the globe to Richardson. They add richness to the Law School community, not just because of their nationalities, but also because of the variety of their work experiences.
Advanced JD Application: Forms are submitted through LSAC’s website (account registration required).
Credential Assembly Service (CAS): AJD applicants must have an active CAS registration using the Law School Admissions Council website
Access to a top-tier legal education at the William S. Richardson School of Law doesn’t have to be restricted to being on campus. We recognize that talented law students can come from anywhere and shouldn’t be bound by location, family, or professional obligations. The Online AJD Program is part-time and the curriculum format is 100% online.