How many semesters is the Flex JD program?
A Flex JD student will earn a JD over the course of three years and three months — an anticipated ten semesters. Semesters run year around in Fall, Spring, and Summer.
How many credits and courses will Flex JD students take each semester?
Semesters range from 2-4 courses, totaling 8-9 credits each semester.
What specializations are available to students in the Flex JD program?
Albany Law School’s Flex JD is unique in that it allows students to specialize their JD degree in one of our four specializations including:
What are the course requirements for the Flex JD?
Like the residential JD program, the Flex JD program requires 87 credits to graduate. The Flex JD curriculum sequences the core JD curriculum and Flex JD specialty courses. All specialties share core requirements with the residential JD program in that all students are required to complete 1L courses including Contracts, Property, Torts, Civil Procedure, Criminal Law, Constitutional Law (I and II), Social Justice Seminar, and Introduction to Lawyering, as well as upper level requirements, including Evidence, Legal Profession, an Administrative Law course, an International Law course, and an experiential learning opportunity geared toward their specialty. Each specialty will have additional requirements related to that specialty. Students will be eligible to take electives and specialty electives that are presently available and become available in online formats.
Can I finish the program early? Can I take a larger course load during a specific semester to graduate early?
The Flex JD program is designed with your success and well-being in mind. To support a strong academic foundation and a healthy balance between school, work, and life, each semester is capped at 9 credits. This structure helps ensure that students can fully engage with their coursework and thrive in the program.
Because of this intentional design and external approvals of this design, graduating early is unlikely. However, this approach reflects our commitment to creating a learning environment that prioritizes quality education and long-term success.
Can you share more about the experiential learning/field study requirements for Flex JD students?
Flex JD students must complete 6 credits of experiential learning, which is an essential part of preparing for legal practice. Most experiential learning opportunities will take place during the final four semesters of the program, allowing students to build on the knowledge and skills gained in earlier coursework.
Experiential learning is a collaborative process between the student and Albany Law School. Students are encouraged to seek opportunities in locations or practice areas that align with their interests and career goals. In some cases, students may be able to complete experiential work at their current place of employment, provided the work and employer meet the necessary requirements. Opportunities vary widely and may include placements in:
- Law offices
- Judicial chambers
- Federal or state agencies
- Executive departments
- Non-profit organizations
- Select private practice settings
- Government agencies
All placements must be approved in advance and require students to work under the supervision of an attorney or qualified mentor. This ensures that every experience meets professional standards and provides meaningful, hands-on learning.
Can you tell me more about the required in-person annual session?
As future lawyers, it is important to experience in-person interactions and conversations about the law. In addition, in-person meetings once a year allow you to meet and engage with your fellow students, faculty and other members of the Albany Law School community. The intensive, in-person meeting is once a year in the Fall, typically at the beginning of the semester. Meetings will usually begin in the evening on a Wednesday and conclude at about noon on Saturday. During these times, we will have a series of classes and events where you can meet your classmates, alumni, administrators, and professors. You will be given the schedule in advance of the meeting so that you can plan ahead.
When will the orientation and annual session take place?
The in-person orientation and annual sessions take place once per year, typically in late August. This joint event serves as the foundational introduction to a successful semester, and all students are required to attend in-person.
Orientation is tailored for our 1L students, and the annual session is tailored for our upper-level students. View photos from the 2024 and 2025 orientation sessions to get a closer look at our activities during this key event.
Can I apply to both the residential (in-person) program and the Flex JD program at Albany Law School?
An applicant must choose whether they are applying to the residential or the Flex JD program. Once an application is completed and pending review or in review, the applicant may not switch programs without withdrawing their original application and submitting a new application to the newly selected program.
When will classes meet?
Albany Law School’s Flex JD program is designed for the working professional. While many jobs have different schedules, we try to provide as much flexibility as possible. In that vein, most courses will be a combination of asynchronous and synchronous classes. The synchronous classes are typically scheduled for the shoulder times of the workday, beginning between 4-7PM, while the asynchronous classes allow you to complete the schoolwork when you are able. Most courses will not have a class component on the weekends as we believe it is important to recharge and catch up if need be. Finally, course schedules are provided to the students in advance of the semester so that they can make work adjustments if needed.
What information can you share on synchronous and asynchronous courses in the Flex JD program?
During the 1L year, required courses are a maximum of 33% asynchronous. Upper-level courses may be 100% asynchronous depending on the course and professor.
How many hours of schoolwork should students anticipate per week in the Flex JD program?
In addition to the 9 hours of estimated synchronous class time during 1L year, if you can carve out 20-28 hours a week for studying and still keep yourself smiling, you are ready. And remember: you do not have to do it alone—we built this program knowing life is messy. We have an incredible student support system comprised of faculty, staff, administrators, and students.
What existing student services will Flex JD students receive?
The intent of Albany Law School’s Flex JD is to make sure Flex JD students can participate in as many of the programs that residential JD students can participate. For example, Flex JD students will be offered opportunities to participate in school governance, through the Student Bar Association, as a senator for each JD class. In addition, Flex JD students may qualify to be on journals, where they can submit and write from remote locations. Further, most student organizations are looking forward to adding Flex JD members where possible. Of course, Flex JD students may be unable to attend some on-site student events. We expect to have Flex JD-only online events each semester.
Flex JD students may take advantage of our outstanding Career & Professional Development Center. Our career counselors provide significant guidance and outreach for our students seeking externships, city semester, and semester in practice as well as career positions. In addition, Flex JD students may take advantage of our alumni mentorship program where we work to connect Flex JD students to alumni in the students’ locations. Finally, Flex JD students will have access to the same writing assistance, peer writing assistance, and other individualized academic support presently provided albeit online.
Will Flex JD students have access to library sources?
Yes, the Albany Law School library has print as well as digital content. Our Flex JD students will have online access with some in-person access either during required in-person sessions or because they choose to come to Albany. We strive to provide Flex JD students with reasonably comparable access to the library as our residential JD students have. One limitation may be where students use inter-library loan (ILL) services. Because the ILL service is licensed to a physical library, materials borrowed are sent to that library. Library reference assistance is provided Mondays through Thursdays 8:30 am – 7:00 pm (EST); Fridays 8:30 am – 4:30 pm (EST), and not on the weekends.
Will Flex JD students be eligible for Work Study?
Albany Law School’s Flex JD students, like residential JD students, are eligible for work study, although the available work may be limited to remote work, research assistance, or potentially an approved off-campus site.
Can graduates of Albany Law School’s Flex JD program sit for the bar exam?
Graduates of Albany Law School’s Flex JD earn a Juris Doctor. While the program is designed to fulfill the academic eligibility requirements to sit for a state bar examination, each state sets its own criteria for admission to the bar and to sit for its bar examination. Graduates of our Flex JD will satisfy most jurisdictions’ current legal education requirements. That said, students applying to the Flex JD program should check with the jurisdictions in which they may seek admission to the bar to ensure that graduation from this program will make them eligible for taking the bar exam and being admitted to the bar in those jurisdictions.
Because of the limits New York places on the use of distance education, see Section 520.3 of [QR1] the Rules of the New York Court of Appeals, Flex JD students cannot currently sit for the bar exam in New York without acquiring a waiver from the New York Court of Appeals. Albany Law School will assist a Flex JD student wishing to take the bar exam in New York with the application for a waiver from the Court.
Can I sit for the bar in New York? How will Albany Law help with the bar waiver process?
New York limits the number of distance education credits a law student may take. As a result, graduates of the Flex JD program are not automatically eligible to sit for the New York bar exam. To do so, a Flex JD graduate must obtain a waiver from the New York Court of Appeals (see Section 520.3 of the Rules of the New York Court of Appeals).
Albany Law School is committed to supporting Flex JD students who wish to take the New York bar exam. We will assist with the waiver application process to the Court of Appeals.
Because the Flex JD program is relatively new, we have not yet had graduates seek admission to the New York bar, so we do not have data or outcomes to share at this time.
Is Financial Aid offered? What is the process for applying?
- Yes, Flex JD applicants are encouraged to complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) as soon as they apply.
- Flex JD accepted students with a completed FAFSA on file will receive a letter of estimated eligibility.
- For more information, visit our financial aid website.
Does Albany Law School award merit scholarships to Flex JD students?
Yes, Albany Law School awards merit scholarships at the time of acceptance to eligible students. We have both general scholarship and external scholarship opportunities.
- For general scholarships opportunities: Albany Law School offers a merit-based scholarship program for Juris Doctor candidates. Scholarships are offered by the Admissions Committee at the time of acceptance, based upon the strength of the admissions application. All admitted students are automatically considered. No separate scholarship application is required. Good standing, as specified in the specific scholarship offer, may be required for annual renewal.
- For external scholarship opportunities: The Financial Aid Office frequently receives information from various outside organizations that offer scholarships. This information is distributed to Albany Law School students and/or applicants for admission, usually via email, depending on the scholarship criteria.
- For additional details, visit the Albany Law School Scholarship website.
What is the tuition/cost for the Flex JD program?
- For more information on tuition and cost of attendance, visit the Cost of Attendance website.
Are the admissions requirements for Flex JD applicants the same as for residential JD applicants?
Yes. Applications to the Flex JD program will be evaluated on the same set of criteria as students who apply for the residential JD program.
What was the Flex JD acceptance rate for the class that started in fall 2025?
The acceptance rate was 18.13% for the class that started in fall 2025.
How is the GPA calculated on my Flex JD application? If I have a graduate degree, will my graduate GPA be calculated as well?
LSAC calculates a GPA for each year and a cumulative GPA for each undergraduate institution that issued a transcript for you. The cumulative GPA that includes all undergraduate work is also calculated and reported to Albany Law School. Your cumulative GPA will appear on your CAS Report.
Graduate school GPAs are not included in the cumulative GPA from LSAC.
What is the median LSAT score and GPA for the Flex JD class that started in fall 2025?
- The median LSAT was 159.
- The median GPA was 3.61.
- Note: GPA data is from Flex JD statistical report 8.12.25
Does the Flex JD program have information on median GRE scores?
At this time, there are no GRE median scores. However, applicants can check the converter tool to determine how their GRE compares to an LSAT score. Applicants can find more information on the ETS converter website.
Are Flex JD applications reviewed even if students have pending LSAT scores or other materials?
Flex JD applications are reviewed when all required materials are complete. Required materials include:
- Completed application
- Credential Assembly Service (CAS) Law School Report, including all transcripts and letters of recommendation
- LSAT score report (included with CAS) OR GRE score report directly from ETS
- Two letters of recommendation are required.
- Personal statement
- Resume
- Submit the application online through the Law School Admission Council (LSAC).
- This information is located on the Flex JD apply website
Note: If a student has a pending LSAT test, they can select in their LSAC dashboard to request that their CAS be held until their future test scores are ready. However, we will not review a file without all required application materials.
Does Albany Law School accept the JD-Next exam?
At this time, we are not accepting the JD-Next exam. However, we do accept the LSAT and GRE exams.
Are you accepting transfer students from other law schools into the Flex JD program?
At this time, we are not accepting transfer students into the Flex JD program.
Does the Flex JD program accept previous law school credits from another institution?
At this time, the Flex JD program does not accept previous law school credits.
Will my diploma say that I graduated from an online program?
Your diploma will not be different from those of students who graduate from our residential JD program.