Albany Law Honored by preLaw Magazine for Top Flex Program, Practical Training Offerings
Albany Law School’s Flex Juris Doctor program has been recognized by preLaw magazine as one of the top online J.D. programs in the country.
In the Spring 2025 issue, preLaw editors examined flexible J.D. offerings at several schools, highlighting their flexibility and ability to balance work and family and expand access to legal education.
“Online J.D. programs have grown significantly in recent years, bringing a solution for students facing barriers to traditional legal education,” preLaw editors said.
An additional focus was paid to Albany Law School’s program which is a majority online, synchronous coursework, but brings students to campus for an in-person Orientation. Second and third year students will return in late August to reconnect with colleagues, faculty, and staff before each new academic year begins.
“The program focuses on Albany Law’s historic strengths—government law, social justice, environmental law, and business law—areas where we already excel,” said Jonathan Rosenbloom, associate dean for online education, to preLaw magazine. “It’s a way to reach students we might not otherwise serve while staying true to our mission.”
The magazine also highlighted Albany Law’s commitment—which extends to the Flex J.D. program—to allowing each student the opportunity to build a strong network and expand their professional networks.
“Each student is paired with an alumni mentor, typically in their geographic area, and received guidance from a career development coach,” Rosenbloom told preLaw.
Related: In February, Albany Law’s Flex J.D. program Named Finalist for Bloomberg Innovation Program
Albany Law School is also among the top schools in the nation for practical training. The magazine released its rankings in the Spring 2025 issue and each is based on key practical training offerings such as clinics, externships, simulations courses, pro bono hours, and moot court programs.
preLaw determines a school’s rank based on how many students participate in activities and offerings focused on creating a practice-ready skillset including clinics, moot court, externships, and simulation courses.
Albany Law School’s practical training offerings are primarily available through The Edward P Swyer Justice Center, the Field Placement Program, and the Anthony V. Cardona ’70 Moot Court Program.
The Swyer Justice Center combines theory and practice through its in-house public interest law firm, providing free legal services to eligible clients in the Capital Region.
In a typical academic year, The Swyer Justice Center recruits more than 200 students for its five clinics to represent a diverse range of clients. The experiences working in the Community Economic Development Clinic, Domestic Violence Prosecution Hybrid Clinic, Family Violence Litigation Clinic, Health Law Clinic, or Immigration Law Clinic provide law students with opportunities to grow as skilled, compassionate, and employment-ready lawyers.
Albany Law School students also have access to more than 150 field placements in and beyond New York's capital, ranging from government agencies and advocacy groups to public interest law organizations, district attorneys' offices, and a variety of state and federal court systems.
The law school’s Pro Bono Program—housed within The Justice Center—supports students pursuing public interest and public sector careers through a deep commitment to pro bono legal work. Collectively, each graduating class provides more than 50,000 pro bono hours, on average.
