A Law Degree That Fits Into Your Life: Santa Clara Law’s Flex JD

Earning a Juris Doctor (JD) degree through a traditional program is out of reach for many working professionals. Daytime classes and a lengthy commute may be tough if you need to continue working while pursuing legal studies.

Santa Clara University School of Law's hybrid, Flex JD caters to working individuals passionate about the legal field. With a combination of in-person and online coursework, you can pursue an ABA accredited JD, even if you have a full- or part-time job.

This post explores the Santa Clara Flex JD program, including its structure and benefits.

Hybrid Learning Format for Maximum Flexibility

Santa Clara Law's Flex JD is ideal for students balancing work and law school. Each semester begins with an immersion week, where you attend classes on-site. Afterward, you return for in-person classes one weekend each month.

For the remaining weeks of the semester, you complete online coursework and attend asynchronous online classes on your own schedule. The arrangement allows you to earn your JD without taking an extended break from your work responsibilities.

For example, assume you're a full-time employee at a Bay Area tech company. Your employer expects you to work Monday through Friday, from 8 AM to 5 PM. You could request vacation for immersion week courses each semester, plus one Friday a month for the residential in-person classes. Alternatively, you could make a special arrangement with your employer, so you don't miss valuable class time.

Students enrolled in the program typically complete the degree within four years.

Supportive Resources for Busy Students

As a student in our hybrid JD program, you can take advantage of the same benefits that our full-time attendees enjoy. Here's what you can look forward to.

Dedicated Academic Advising and Career Counseling

Santa Clara has four on-site career coaches with 64 combined years of experience in the legal field or counseling. We hold over 700 meetings with students enrolled in our JD program, helping them flesh out their career goals and secure a position in law when they graduate.

As a student, you can leverage our team and other resources to make your time with us successful. Additionally, we host several career-related events each year, which we encourage you to attend.

Online Library and Academic Resources

As a law student, you'll likely spend much of your time on research. Our Mabie Law Library is open to students 24/7, so you can visit it any time. It houses countless legal resources, plus study rooms and carrels if you need a quiet place for academic work.

Many of the materials required for your studies are available through our online library. As part of your enrollment in the Santa Clara Flex JD program, you'll receive access to Westlaw, Lexis, Bloomberg Law, and CEB Onlaw. These databases allow you to quickly navigate statutes and case law.

Interactive Community and Networking Events

Our hybrid JD program includes several ways to network with fellow students and professors. Each semester kicks off with a residential week on campus, with opportunities to connect with others in the program. Every month, you'll spend a weekend on our campus, so you can strengthen your ties.

We host in-person and online networking events throughout the year. In addition, you can join clinics and centers that interest you, whether you're focused on high-tech law, social justice, privacy law, or other legal matters.

Career Outcomes of the Flex JD Program

Santa Clara Law counts over 13,000 graduates in its alumni program. Many students land positions with Bay Area tech companies, including Salesforce, Oracle, and Google. Based on our survey of 2024 JD graduates, 172 of 202 (87%) secured a legal role within their first year of graduation.¹

Devika Sagar, a 2021 graduate of Santa Clara Law, credits the school for its mentorship opportunities. "Having two mentors from top Bay Area tech companies provided me with a unique perspective that other students may not have had access to," she says. "It helped me attain an in-house legal counsel role straight out of law school."²

Opportunities in the Legal Field Made Accessible by the Program

U.S. News & World Report recognizes the Flex JD program as the #18 Part-Time Law Program nationwide.³ Our faculty has deep experience in tech, public interest, and international law. In addition, our location in the Bay Area allows students to leverage our networking opportunities with companies in Silicon Valley.

Benefits of Obtaining a JD While Maintaining Professional Employment

Working full- or part-time while enrolled in a hybrid law degree program has several advantages. You won’t have to sacrifice your income, which can help support you financially during your studies and offset program costs. Furthermore, it allows you to gain valuable work experience that you can include on your resume. Some students transition into legal roles within the company they work for post-graduation, providing a seamless transition into their chosen legal field after completing their studies.

Commence Your Legal Studies with the Santa Clara Flex JD Program

The Santa Clara Flex JD is a great option for students eager to pursue a law degree without pausing their careers. It combines online and in-person learning opportunities, plus extensive networking options you can leverage to connect with peers, faculty, and employers. As a student, you'll benefit from our ABA-accredited hybrid JD program in the heart of the Silicon Valley legal community. Many of our alumni go on to work for major tech firms, including Facebook, Intuit Inc., and Adobe. Others pursue a legal career in social justice or with the government.

We're proud to be ranked among California's top part-time JD programs by U.S. News and World Report in 2025.³ Our students come from a wide array of backgrounds, and we're considered the 20th most diverse law school in the United States.⁴

If you want to further your legal studies while balancing work and law school, consider applying to Santa Clara's Flex JD program. Contact us to learn more about the admissions process, tuition costs, and financial aid opportunities.