Create a Better World with Albany Law’s Social Justice and Public Interest Law Degree
Help fight injustice and inequity in your community—and use a sound legal prospective to do it.
At Albany Law School, our Flex Juris Doctor program—with a specialization in Social Justice and Public Interest—prepares aspiring lawyers to enact positive change and become leaders in advocating for consumer protections, criminal justice reform, racial, ethnic, and gender equality and equity, immigrants’ rights, mental health initiatives, and more. Gain real-world experience—all the while taking classes mostly online—as you learn how to practice law and address the needs of disadvantaged and underserved populations.
With a Juris Doctor from Albany Law, you’ll be prepared to tackle some of the greatest legal challenges and injustices facing the country and the world.
Why Albany Law?
Earn your Juris Doctor degree without having to move or disrupt your personal or professional life. Albany Law School's Flex JD is primarily online while offering the same benefits of our on-campus program.
Get your degree from a law school that is:
- The top-ranked independent law school in the U.S.
- In the top 20 for Most Innovative Law Schools, according to preLaw Magazine.
- Accredited by the American Bar Association
- Represented by successful alumni working in nearly every state in the country in small to large law firms and nearly every industry in organizations of all sizes.
“The Flex JD program specialty in social justice and public interest will ensure you are well-positioned for competitive leadership opportunities in the public and nonprofit sectors. At the heart of the state's government, Albany hosts many state-wide and national nonprofit entities including civil legal services providers, advocacy associations, and research centers. This specialization will help you start a career designing, implementing, or managing programs to bring about social change and equality for vulnerable and marginalized populations, and Albany Law School will help you find the perfect fit for your passion.”
Nic Rangel, Esq. ‘12
Executive Director at the Legal Aid Society of Northeastern New York
You want to do more than advance your career prospects. You want to use your legal skills to make the world a better, more equitable place.
At Albany Law, our Juris Doctor degree in Social Justice and Public Interest provides you with the tools and talents to thrive in both the public and private sectors. A total of 91% of our Class of 2022 Juris Doctor graduates were employed within 10 months of graduation, and individuals who want to pursue careers as a public interest lawyer can do so in areas such as:
Criminal defense
Diversity, equity, and inclusion
Government agencies
Legal aid
Nonprofits
Public office
At Albany Law, our social justice education and public interest law curriculum starts with 13 core courses in topics covering civil procedure, constitutional law, contracts, criminal law, legal methods, and more. From there, you’ll take advanced coursework in areas such as:
- Critical Race Theory
- Domestic Violence Seminar
- Employment Law
- Family Law
- Immigration Law
- Labor Law
- Landlord/Tenant Law
- Land Use and Racial Justice
- Law and Social Entrepreneurship
- Mental Health Law
- Poverty Law
You’ll also have ample opportunities to put your learning into action through the City Semester program, field placements, and a Semester-in-Practice program. No matter your interests in helping others, you’ll be prepared to thrive in your legal career.
Gain the legal skills and experience to advocate for and work in service to others. Albany Law’s Juris Doctor degree online—with a specialization in Social Justice and Public Interest stands out because we offer:
Hands-on learning throughout your studies
What sets our Juris Doctor program apart is our ability to harness several of our innovative experiential programs to ensure that you have real and meaningful internship opportunities. You’ll have multiple immersive experiential learning opportunities that you can pursue near you or on campus, including City Semester programs, field placements, Semester-in-Practice programs, and more.
Renowned experts in the field
Throughout your coursework, you’ll learn from faculty and legal leaders who teach both Juris Doctor degree online and on-campus courses. Because we’re located in Albany, New York state’s capital, we also bring in lawmakers, government officials, and nonprofit leaders—many whom have unique expertise in public interest law and social justice education—to enhance your learning.
Small, personalized coursework
At Albany Law School, our student-to-faculty ratio is 8-1. That means you’ll have even more access to your faculty members—and you’ll have more opportunities to connect and get to know your classmates.
A top-notch education that is also affordable
We’re known for being one of the more affordable private law schools in the U.S., and as a Flex Juris Doctor degree student, you’ll pay for the same tuition as our on-campus students. You’ll also be eligible for scholarships—helping make your advanced training even more accessible and affordable.
While you won’t spend much time on campus as a Juris Doctor degree online student, you will still have opportunities to get involved with a club or organization. For instance, you might consider joining the Albany Government Law Review or International Law Society—two groups that will help you connect and network with other aspiring government law and public service students.
Discover a Future in Social Justice and Public Interest at Albany Law
Take the next step in your legal career by choosing Albany Law’s Flex JD degree—a flexible and convenient public interest and social justice education for aspiring lawyers.
