How a Hybrid J.D. Program Prepares Lawyers for Modern Legal Practice

A hybrid J.D. program combines flexible online learning, hands-on legal training, and responsible AI use to prepare today’s law students.

Technology is changing how work gets done, and both clients and firms expect more efficiency. At the same time, the need for legal services continues to grow, especially in underserved communities.

Andrea Funk, J.D., dean of the Hybrid J.D. program at The Colleges of Law, has spent nearly 30 years in legal education. “One of the critiques of legal education has been that it’s very static,” she says. “You go to school, you spend the whole semester in a class, and you take a final exam. And nowhere along the way do you really find out if you know anything.”

To address that gap, The Colleges of Law designed a program that better serves students and the profession. Learn more about how its Hybrid J.D. program is preparing future law professionals to navigate evolving technologies, changing client expectations, and a shifting legal landscape.

How Legal Education Is Changing for Today’s Law Students

What Is Active Learning in Law School?

Across higher education, there is a growing need for more interactive and outcomes-based learning models.

For decades, law schools have relied on a consistent structure. Students attend lectures, read case law, and complete a final exam that determines their performance. While this approach builds foundational knowledge, it offers limited opportunities for feedback or improvement along the way.

“That’s just the way it’s always been done,” Funk says. “But it’s not set up to accurately assess student learning over the course of the semester.”

The American Bar Association has emphasized the importance of experiential learning and skills development in preparing law students for practice. The Colleges of Law has embraced this shift from the beginning.

“When I had the opportunity to build something from scratch that literally did not exist before, it was a legal educator’s dream come true,” Funk says.

What Makes a Hybrid J.D. Program Different From Online Law School?

Many programs describe themselves as hybrid but often rely on simply moving traditional lectures online. That’s because many of these courses were originally built to be taken in person, then were partially adapted for online learning as technology has evolved.

“We built these classes as hybrid courses from the beginning,” Funk says. “It’s not just putting classes on Zoom. There’s an infrastructure behind it.”

When courses are built to be hybrid from the beginning, they incorporate a mix of guided instruction, interactive discussions, and weekly practice assessments that require students to actively engage with the material. Whether they’re in a classroom or at home, students are applying what they learn, all while receiving regular feedback from faculty.

Hybrid learning is often assumed to create distance between students and faculty. In practice, the opposite can be true. “I thought I wouldn’t know my students as well,” Funk says. “The opposite is true. I know them so much better. There’s no hiding in the back of the classroom.”

That level of visibility allows faculty to provide timely support and ensures that students remain engaged throughout the program.

How Do Law Students Receive Feedback in a Hybrid J.D. Program?

One of the most significant differences in the program is how students are evaluated. Instead of relying on a single high-stakes exam, students receive ongoing opportunities to test their understanding.

“We provide students with formative assessments each week to help them track their understanding of the material,” Funk says. “And every week they get feedback from their professors.”

Students can identify challenges early, adjust their approach, and build confidence as they progress, with support from faculty along the way.

Why Hands-On Legal Training Is Essential in Law School

Law professionals must know how to apply their knowledge of law in real situations, often under pressure and with real consequences. At The Colleges of Law, practical experience is not treated as an add-on; it’s integrated into the core of the curriculum.

How Do Law Students Gain Real-World Experience?

“We focused not just on theory and doctrine,” Funk says. “We focused on lawyering skills so students could put them to use.”

This shift ensures that students actively apply information in ways that mirror professional practice. In addition to weekly coursework, students participate in in-person skills weekends designed to simulate real-world scenarios.

“These weekends are an opportunity for students to see what it’s like to practice,” Funk says.

What Skills Do Law Students Learn in a Hybrid J.D. Program?

Throughout the program, students develop competencies that are essential for success in the legal field, including:

• Legal writing and communication
• Client interaction
• Negotiation and mediation
• Litigation and transactional work
• Professional development and leadership

These skills are reinforced through consistent practice and feedback.

How Law Schools Prepare Students for the Future of Legal Practice

At The Colleges of Law, a forward-looking mindset is built into the curriculum. “We’re not preparing lawyers for today or six months from now,” Funk says. “We’re preparing them for the future.”

How Is AI Used in Legal Education?

One of the clearest examples of shifts in technologies is the growing role of artificial intelligence in legal practice. A Thomson Reuters Institute report shows 57% of corporate legal professionals believe generative AI should be applied to their work, signaling a growing shift toward adoption across the industry.

At The Colleges of Law, students are taught how to use these new systems responsibly within the ethical boundaries of legal practice.

“Students have to understand the appropriateness of using AI in legal practice,” Funk says. “What are the ethical rules? When can you use it for a client? When can’t you?”

Funk encourages students to think beyond efficiency and consider the broader impact of AI on the legal system.

Can Lawyers Work Across State Lines or Remotely?

At the same time, the structure of legal work itself is evolving. The rise of remote work has introduced new questions around jurisdiction, licensing, and ethical boundaries.

“Can you live in one state and practice in another?” Funk says. “Where does unauthorized practice of law come in?”

By exploring these questions before graduation, students develop a clearer understanding of the realities they will face in their careers.

How Hybrid Law Programs Expand Access to Legal Education

Who Is a Hybrid J.D. Program Designed For?

Many students in the hybrid J.D. program are balancing careers, family responsibilities, and other commitments.

“These are students who might not otherwise have had the opportunity to become lawyers,” Funk says.

Expanding access to legal education directly impacts representation within the profession. “It’s about who becomes a lawyer,” Funk says. “Our profession needs these voices.”

What the Future of Legal Education Looks Like

As the legal field continues to change, the need for innovation in education becomes more urgent. Institutions must decide whether to maintain the status quo or adapt to meet new realities.

“Too many people are invested in keeping it the way it is,” Funk says. The Colleges of Law approaches education as an evolving process. “We’re constantly reassessing,” Funk says. “What can we do better? What can we change? How can we help?”

Explore a Hybrid J.D. Program

Legal education is changing, and so are the expectations placed on new lawyers. The Colleges of Law’s Hybrid J.D. program is designed to meet those expectations through flexible learning, hands-on training, and a forward-looking approach to legal practice.

If you’re considering law school and want to understand how this approach aligns with your goals, the next step is to get more information.

Fill out the brief form below to request information about the Hybrid J.D. program, including admissions requirements, curriculum details, and how the program is structured for working professionals.