13/02: What is an EJD?

I recently became aware of the professional acronym, EJD. Since I am a lawyer, I was curious to learn about this new certification, which I deduced had something to do with legal education due to the familiar JD for Juris Doctor for law degree. The EJD is an academic degree that allows its holder to work in law and non-law related fields, but does not allow the practice of law as an attorney. It is offered by online / distance schools, Concord Law School of Kaplan University, Taft Law School, British-American University and Newport University. While these schools may be accredited by the Distance Education and Training Council, the EJD degree offered is not recognized by any bar association and graduates are not able to sit for a bar exam in any jurisdiction.

Concord Law claims the trademark "EJD". It's website provides:


"The Executive JD (EJDsm) is a unique degree program pioneered by Concord Law School. The Executive Juris Doctor program provides individuals with an interest in the law, or those whose career would benefit from advanced legal knowledge, the opportunity to participate in law school courses without the regulatory hurdles associated with becoming a member of the Bar.

The program attracts a wide range of professionals including business people, health care administrators, and teachers who appreciate the challenging curriculum and interaction found at Concord Law School. Through their studies, they gain a sophisticated knowledge of the law and sharpen their analytical reasoning and communication skills.

The Executive Juris Doctor program is a 72-unit, three-year, part-time program. After the first year, during which the EJD students take the same foundational courses required of the Juris Doctor student, there is a great deal of flexibility in course selection. In the second and third years, EJD students are encouraged to construct a curriculum plan centered on their interests and career needs. Enrollees also have somewhat more flexibility in their pace of study as they are not required to adhere to the strict guidelines of the State Bar of California."

There is nothing that matches the practice of law to provide a comprehensive understanding of it and how it is practically applied. Afterall, it is said that the law is an elephant and practitioners are blind men trying to define what the elephant is, each looking at different aspects of the elephant. Although each has an interpretation different from the other, none of them are wrong. It is not enough to merely study the law, but one must practice it in order to understand it and how it is interpreted.


Comments

Gary B. Jefferson, EJD wrote:

I have an EJD from Concord "Executive Juris Doctor in Health Law". Some of us are advocates and have been practicing law "in pro se" for over 20 years. I never wanted to be an attorney. The circumstances of life dictated the path that I followed. Simply, the opportunity to go to law school "online" presented itself and I took it. Furthermore, I hate attorneys "lol" ... I guess that's why I'm always fighting them. The EJD program is exactly the same as the CBA approved JD program. The difference as stated above, we can do it in 3-6 years. The JD program is 4 years--no exception.
People should not make assumptions, remember you're on the outside looking in. And like any degree, it helps and certainly the fact that it is a "professional degree" means it's as respectable as any other doctorate.

See what I have been able to accomplish without a law degree. I got mine in 2009.
http://legaldee.com

My latest action in the Central District of California is : Gary B. Jefferson v. Time Warner Cable ; damages $40 million and every dollar justified down to the cent.

Like me here for status updates:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Turning-Point-The-making-of-an-advocate/297867400259278

p.s. In case you didn't know it, Concord has some of the highest scores in the nation when it comes to passing the California Bar exam. Since it inception, 60% of the students pass the first time around. Concord is a Kaplan University entity--Kaplan-the test prep developers! Furthermore, the great thing about Concord, all of online lectures are from real live class instruction from professors from every Ivy league law school in the nation, including Harvard. We get to sample the best! The instructors are the best in their field including the famed Arthur Miller, whose class I took and who spoke at my graduation--what an honor!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arthur_R._Miller
And if you are an attorney, then you were required to read at least one of his books on evidence! lol He's the best.

Last but not least, the school is so successful that we EJD(s) are allowed to take the "bar" with extended study in certain states now...California not yet included. :)

Because you have a JD doesn't mean you will prevail against me! :)
17/01 11:52:49

Jonathan_ConcordEJD wrote:

I stumbled on this site and had to respond since I believe there is a lot of misinformation out there regarding the EJD program at Concord Law School.

I originally was on the JD track at Concord but life threw some curve balls at me and I decided that the EJD was better suited for me. I am currently a second year law student at Concord (EJD Technology Track).

Cedric posted some great points. Many people attend law school without any intention on practicing law but just for the legal education and the legal training. The EJD degree is designed for this purpose.

The JD program is much more rigorous and requires 8 more courses (and not 4 as Cedric has incorrectly posted). It also requires 2 additional state bars (the First Year Law School Exam or FYLSE or Baby Bar) and the California Bar. This JD also requires an additional year (4 years) since it is a part time program designed for working adults.

The EJD program is a 3 year program and does not require the bar exams. Also, for one who wants to study courses of interest and not the "boring" required courses of the JD, the EJD is better. Since one does not take the bar exames, who has the EJD degree cannot practice law but can consult and advise others in legal matters (ie. contract drafting, etc..).

Why one would chose the JD or EJD at Concord and not a regular ABA JD program is a personal decision and a choice one has to take seriously. Contrary to what many have believed, the online JD or EJD program at Concord is NOT easy. It requires diligence, discipline, and constant motivation. Many believe it is harder than the regular ABA brick-and-mortar law schools because no one is holding your hands. You and you alone are soley responsible for studying the material and passing. There is no social events, no extracurricular activities to distract you.

In my class, many students desire not to practice law (doctors, engineers, etc..) so the EJD is a better option. Also, some states have looser regulations than in California so an EJD degree is actually better and one may actually be able to practice law with this degree.

For those who are still interested in the EJD program at Concord, I invite you to check out the Concord website. If you have further questions, a Concord advisor will be more than happy to help.
02/10 16:30:24

John wrote:

I am a student at Concord Law School and will be finishing my EJD degree shortly. The difference for those getting this degree is that the average individual in the program is in their mid-forties and is employed full time. I am a COO of a large hospital. Balancing a 60-70 hour job with going to school has been a major challange and I am very proud of my accomplishment. I have found the education very rewarding and it has expanded my knowledge base. No, I will not have the ability to sit for the bar, and neither will I try to misrepresent the degree. The pursuit of knowledge is noble and none of us is trying to lessen the JD degree but expand our understanding of enviornment in which I work.
28/03 23:59:04

GuyFromVegas wrote:

Here is an equally misleading quote from a posting on "JurisPro" website: "Mr. Stocks has been an advanced practice Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist for over 18 years and holds an Executive Juris Doctor in Health Law."

----------------------------------------
what is misleading? He does hold a Executive Juris Doctor in Health Law.

Nowhere does it say that he is an attorney.

While it is nice to say to enroll in law school for three years. a) most of these professionals are working and cannot go to law school full time. b)they may not want to spend 70,000+ for a degree that is a graduate degree when it is not towards being a lawyer.

What is happening is that stuffy lawyers dont like the J and D in the degree. If the degree was called a Legal Doctoral Degree. Or a Legal PhD no one would bat an eye.

Actually Concord is hurting themselves by the trademark as it does not allow the degree to become more mainstream and spread out.
26/02 17:08:47

refadmin wrote:

Dear Mr. Bunton:

I have little practical experience on which to base an opinion of the EJD. My likely biased opinion is that having the qualifier on the degree diminishes the credibility of the degree holder. Furthermore, it would not take much longer to achieve an unequivocal JD. One may receive a JD and not practice law but have the dignity and respect of having accomplished the degree from an accredited school.
22/09 03:06:24

Joshua J. Bunton wrote:

What is the thinking of such a degree? I read your synopsis above but, it gives no opinion of the value of such a degree for a position of stature, for example, as an executive director - where one could benefit from the understanding of the law when writing policies or working with a corporate general counsel?

I'm interested as I'm finishing my Master of Management in twelve weeks and am exploring PhDs and EJDs for the long-term betterment of myself academically and professionally.

The jury seems to be out still on the EJD. I have no interest or desire to practice law but, as a pursuit of an HR manager would benefit greatly from it?

What would be your opinion on this EJD degree?

Kind regards,

Josh Bunton, IN
04/09 13:23:27

Ami wrote:

Concord is one the best option for people who cannot leave their job.
15/07 19:17:17

Cedric wrote:

As I read many such comments I am amazed at the perception that the letters JD after a name would lead one to believe that person is holding themselves out as lawyers, when the great majority of lawyers do not use the letters JD as part of their credential, instead list themselves as "Attorney at Law, or Esquire". There are many lawyers who do not practice, and many JD's who attended ABA\Nationally accredited law schools and never intended to take the bar. I would assume that the fact that they did not take the Bar is an indication that they are not lawyers. One note, a Doctor who completes medical school is considered an MD even if they never take or pass a board. And there are many such doctors working in research, who are recognized as medical doctors and yet have no license to practice, and yet no one complains. Note: the difference between the three year Executive JD and the four year JD are 20 hours which come out to four additional classes, and during those first three years there is little difference between the course work, i.e., same instructors and classes.
13/05 00:28:22

guyfrommichigan wrote:

Renee,

Thank you so much for defining EJD. I have noticed this recently in a few instances by "professionals" who, in my opinion, are holding themselves out as lawyers. An example is found on a website entitled for american "nurse lawyers", where you'll find many individuals using the title EJD. Given the name of the website--"The American Assn of Nurse Attorneys"-- this is deceptive and misleading to the public. Here is an equally misleading quote from a posting on "JurisPro" website: "Mr. Stocks has been an advanced practice Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist for over 18 years and holds an Executive Juris Doctor in Health Law." What I find troubling is, if the course for an EJD is 3 years, why wouldn't the person simply enroll in a law school (3 years)? Hmm. Anyway, you've done a great job here. (I'm from Michigan as well - grand blanc). In asia on business now. enjoy the snow!
11/03 06:48:21

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