The Aristotle University Institute of Law and Jurisprudence shall offer both the Juris Doctor (J.D.) and the Legum Magister (LL.M.) (Master of Laws) law degrees, as summarized in the chart below. Under exceptional circumstances the Board of Trustees may advise the Dean to grant an Honorary Juris Doctor (J.D.) or Honorary Legum Magister (LL.M.) degrees to outstanding academicians, scholars and worthy individuals who have evidenced unprecedented excellence in their pursuit of truth, justice, academic excellence, critical intellectual analysis, fundamental freedoms, peace, the promotion of understanding, tolerance and friendship among all nations and dedication and promotion of respect for human rights and human dignity.
The Aristotle University Institute of Law and Jurisprudence offers both the on-line J.D. which are intended to qualify our students to sit for the California State Bar Examination; and a J.D. Executive degree which is an on-line program but is not intended to prepare a student to sit for the California State Bar Examination. The J.D. Executive program is intended primarily for those individuals who either already have a law degree in the another country and desire to learn more about the legal system in the United States, and is also intended for those professionals (such as in medicine, nursing, education, law enforcement, intelligence, security, real estate, banking, healthcare administrators, finance, etc.) who desire to increase their education by supplementing it with a sound core of legal knowledge (but who do not desire or anticipate entering the practice of law).
Degrees Offered |
California State Bar
Exam Qualifying |
Instruction Method |
Program Length |
| JD |
Yes |
Online |
4 yrs |
| JD Executive |
No |
Online |
2 - 3 yrs |
| LLM: Bioethics & Public Health Law |
N/A |
Online |
1 - 2 yrs |
| LLM: International Law & Global Leadership |
N/A |
Online |
1 - 2 yrs |
| LLM: Global E-Commerce Law |
N/A |
Online |
1 - 2 yrs |
| LLM: International Human Rights Law |
N/A |
Online |
1 - 2 yrs |
| LLM: National Security Law & Homeland Security |
N/A |
Online |
1 - 2 yrs |
| LLM: Education Law |
N/A |
Online |
1 - 2 yrs |
The Academic Year of Aristotle University Institute of Law and Jurisprudence begins in the Fall, and includes the Spring, and Summer Semesters – However, students may start classes on a monthly basis. Potential students may be admitted on a rolling-basis during the beginning of either Semester.
Our on-line students who intend to qualify to sit for the California Bar Examination, pursuant to Section 2, Rule VII of the California State Bar Rules Regulating Admission to Practice Law in California, entitled Legal Education, are - without exception required to and - MUST complete a total of 864 hours of preparation and study per year (i.e., between 48 and 52 weeks as regulated by the rules of the State Bar of California) for four (4) twelve month periods (4 years)(as regulated by the State Bar of California). Hours of preparation and study are strictly monitored and mandated, pursuant to California State Bar rules.
The pertinent Rules referred to above are as follows:
California State Bar Rules Regulating Admission to Practice Law in California
RULE VII. Educational Requirements
Section 2. Legal Education.
- Every general applicant has the burden of establishing that he or she has met the following legal education requirement:
(b). Studied law diligently and in good faith for at least four years in any of the following manners:
- In a law school that is authorized by the State of California to confer professional degrees; is registered with the Committee; and which requires classroom attendance of its students for a minimum of 270 hours a year; or
- In a law office in this State and under the personal supervision of a member of The State Bar of California who is, and who has been continuously, an active member of The State Bar of California for at least the last past five years; or
- In the chambers and under the personal supervision of a judge of a court of record of this State; or
- By instruction in law from a correspondence law school requiring 864 hours of preparation and study per year and which is registered with the Committee; or
- By any combination of the methods referred to in this subsection
Additionally, Section 4 of Rule VII holds as follows:
Section 4. Study by Correspondence.
- The correspondence law school must comply with the provisions of Rule XIX and XX of these rules and Rule 957 of the California Rules of Court and must require 864 hours of preparation and study each year for four years.
- To receive credit for one year of study by instruction in law from a correspondence law school, an applicant must have received passing grades in courses requiring not less than 864 hours of preparation and study during a period of not less than 48 weeks nor more than 52 consecutive weeks.
- To receive credit for one-half year of study by instruction in law from a correspondence law school, an applicant must have received passing grades in courses requiring not less than 432 hours of preparation and study during a period of not less than 24 nor more than 26 consecutive weeks. The transcript submitted to evidence correspondence study must indicate the date each course began and ended.
California Rules of Court, Rule 9.30 (Former Rule 957), referred to above, includes the following:
California Rules of Court, Rule 9.30
- a. A person who seeks to be certified to the Supreme Court for admission in and licensed to practice law in accordance with section 6060(e)(3) of the Business and Professions Code shall receive credit for
(2). instruction in law from a correspondence school only if the correspondence school requires 864 hours of preparation and study per year for four years and satisfies the requirements of paragraph (d) of this rule; or
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