Understanding The Difference Between ABA & Cal Bar Law Schools

Explore the differences between ABA accredited law schools and Cal Bar law schools, and discover which choice is ideal for your legal education.

Updated September 27, 2023

While taking the bar exam is necessary for all aspiring lawyers, attending a law school accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA) is not required for everyone. There are many pathways to pursue a legal education, including enrolling in State Bar of California-accredited law schools. You want to choose the one that best suits you personally and financially.

Every state determines who can sit for the bar exam and become a licensed attorney. Some states’ rules explicitly say you must graduate from an ABA-approved law school. However, California is one of those states where non-ABA law schools offer an alternative pathway for people to enter the profession.

But what’s the difference between ABA-accredited law schools in California and Cal Bar law schools?one who wants to become a lawyer must take the bar exam, but not every aspiring lawyer must attend a law school accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA). There are many pathways to pursue a legal education and you want to find one that works for you, your family, and importantly, your wallet.

Every state determines who can sit for the bar exam and become a licensed attorney. Some states’ rules explicitly say that you must graduate from an ABA-approved law school. However, several states allow people to enter the profession through alternative pathways, either by attending a non-ABA law school or by “reading for the law” (essentially serving as an apprentice for a few years). California is one of those states.

But what’s the difference between ABA-accredited law schools and law schools accredited by the Cal Bar?

What Are The ABA And The Cal Bar?

The American Bar Association (ABA) is a private membership organization that identifies itself as “the national representative of the legal profession.” As a bar association, its main objective is to serve its members and the law community at large by doing the following:

• Creating programs, services, and benefits for members
• Accrediting quality legal education
• Promoting professionalism within the field of law
• Advancing the rule of law

The Department of Education has delegated authority to the ABA to regulate legal education throughout the nation, and the U.S. has approximately 200 ABA-accredited law schools.

In contrast, the State Bar of California (Cal Bar) is the largest bar association in California. Its mission is to serve the Californian public by:

• Licensing, regulating, and disciplining California’s lawyers
• Administering the California bar exam
• Advocating for diversity, inclusion, and access to justice for all

Although California is home to some ABA-accredited law schools, the State Bar’s Committee of Examiners may accredit law schools that haven’t received ABA accreditation. Graduates of California Accredited Law Schools (CALS) are eligible to sit for the bar exam in California and to become licensed attorneys in the state.

What are the differences in admissions?

ABA accredited law schools

The ABA requires law schools to use an entrance exam as part of the admission process, such as the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT) or the Graduate Records Examination (GRE).

In addition, all applicants must have completed a bachelor’s degree. Therefore, ABA-accredited law schools will place a significant emphasis on an applicant’s entrance exam score and undergraduate GPA when making admission decisions.

California Accredited Law Schools (CALS)

In contrast, State Bar of California-accredited law schools such as The Colleges of Law do not require law schools to use an entrance exam. At The Colleges of Law, we don’t require applicants to submit LSAT or GRE scores. We firmly believe that standardized tests are not a definitive measure of an individual’s potential to become a skilled, competent, and ethical attorney.

What are the differences in programs, class size, and faculty?

ABA accredited law schools

ABA-accredited law schools typically cater to applicants who can attend law school full-time, although there are a few programs with part-time options. In terms of the time it takes to earn their J.D., students will typically be able to complete their program in three years. As a result, the average student at ABA law schools tends to be in their mid-20s.

The class sizes at these law schools are usually quite large. For example, the University of California, Berkeley, School of Law boasts an entering class size of 330 students with an average age of 25.

As for faculty, an ABA-accredited law school’s faculty and staff tend to be full-time professors who teach, perform research, and write. Some faculty members may still be involved in law practice, but faculty don’t need a law license to teach.

California Accredited Law Schools (CALS)

The Colleges of Law, like most California Accredited Law Schools (CALS), was founded to serve working adults who couldn’t attend law school full time. Our schools have both a part-time J.D. program and an online hybrid J.D. program, the first of its kind to launch in the state of California. The program length varies from 32 to 40 months.

Our Class sizes tend to be small and intimate. In contrast to Berkeley, the Colleges of Law’s entering class size is between 30 to 40 students, with an average age of 37.

Local attorneys and judges also teach the courses here so that students gain insight into the profession and the local legal community as soon as they enter the classroom.

What are the differences in licensure opportunities?

Graduating from an ABA-accredited law school qualifies you to take the bar exam in any state.

If you graduate from a CALS, like the Colleges of Law, you’ll be eligible to sit for the California Bar Exam. Our school’s curriculum focuses on preparing you for this exam and to later practice law in California. After you practice in the state for a number of years, you may be eligible to become licensed in other states. Interestingly, more than a third of our new students seek a J.D. to advance in their current careers, not to obtain a license to practice law.

What are the differences in cost?

ABA accredited law schools

ABA-accredited law schools are expensive, even state schools with in-state tuition. For example, UCLA, a state law school, costs $52,094 a year plus an additional $18,612 for living expenses. Graduates from ABA-accredited law schools also have an average student debt of $145,500.

California Accredited Law Schools (CALS)

Fortunately, CALS aims to keep legal education accessible and affordable. At the Colleges of Law, you can earn your J.D. degree for around $70,000, comparable to just one year’s tuition at UCLA. Because many students are working adults, they’re able to pay some or all of their tuition out-of-pocket, avoiding or limiting student loans.

Join Our California-Accredited Juris Doctor Programs: In-Person or Hybrid

Whether it’s traditional ABA-accredited programs or Cal Bar law schools, you should choose a law school that will allow you to achieve your goals.

At The Santa Barbara and Ventura campuses of The Colleges of Law, we offer both in-person and hybrid Juris Doctor programs tailored to equip students with the skills and knowledge required to excel in their legal careers.

• In-Person Juris Doctor Program: This immersive, classroom-based program emphasizes discussion and debate. Students benefit from studying under working lawyers, judges, and elected officials, many of whom live and practice in the Santa Barbara and Ventura communities. The program culminates with a pro bono internship under a practicing attorney or judge, offering hands-on experience.

• Hybrid Juris Doctor Program: Ideal for those needing flexibility, our hybrid program combines the best of online learning with in-person interaction. The same high-quality education, cultural competence, and engagement with experienced legal professionals are assured, allowing students to balance their studies with other life commitments.

Both programs thoroughly prepare graduates to sit for the California Bar Exam, fostering a collaborative learning environment alongside a diverse cohort. The cultural competence developed through these programs helps students confidently advocate for clients from all walks of life, thereby strengthening the legal profession as a whole.

If you would like to learn about the Juris Doctor programs offered at both The Santa Barbara & Ventura Colleges of Law campuses, fill out the form below to request more information. Or you can apply today through our application portal.