ABA Proposal To Allow Accreditation Of Fully Online Law Schools Receives Overwhelming Support

Law.com, ABA Proposal Regarding Accreditation of Fully Online Law Schools Receives Overwhelming Support From Commenters:

The American Bar Association has garnered dozens of pages of comments, largely in support, regarding a proposal to allow fully online law schools to become eligible for provisional and full ABA approval.

The ABA opened the 60-day notice and comment period in January seeking feedback on the proposed changes to Standard 102 (Provisional Approval) and Standard 306 (Distance Education). With the comment period closing at midnight tonight, at least 38 pages of comments have been posted so far, with 11 of the 13 comments favoring it. ...

According to a January memo, as proposed, Standard 102 was revised to allow a fully online law school to seek ABA approval, with provisional approval, while Standard 306 would undergo a few revisions. Among the updates would be matching language in updated Standard 105 to allow a law school with a program of legal education that is delivered partially or wholly via distance education courses may seek provisional approval without the need for a substantive change application.

The Strategic Review Committee anticipates this proposal going through more than one round of notice and comment due to the significance of the change and potential disruption to existing schools, according to the memo.