preLaw magazine has recognized Southwestern Law School in its Spring 2025 issue as one of the nation’s top institutions for online legal education and hands-on training, citing its first-of-its-kind Online J.D. Program and one of the most extensive externship networks in the country. 

Southwestern’s Online J.D. Program, which launched in fall 2024, is the first in the nation to offer both full-time and part-time options in a fully online J.D. program at an ABA-accredited law school. Designed for students balancing careers and other commitments, the program offers asynchronous coursework with optional live sessions for direct engagement with faculty and peers. 

Beyond online innovation, Southwestern excels in real-world legal training. The school’s externship program is among the largest in the country, with more than 80% of students completing externships at courts, law firms, government agencies, and public interest organizations. Through its legal clinics, students handle live cases in entertainment law, immigration, and social justice, gaining practical experience while serving real clients. These programs provide students with an early foothold in the legal profession, particularly within Los Angeles, one of the country’s most dynamic legal markets. 

By expanding access to legal education and ensuring students graduate profession-ready on day one—online or in-person.  

For more information, contact: co-mark@swlaw.edu.