The Santa Barbara & Ventura Colleges of Law

The Santa Barbara and Ventura Colleges of Law, a nonprofit law school accredited by the Committee of Bar Examiners of The State Bar of California, offers two exceptional pathways to a career in law or a law-related field. Our Juris Doctor (J.D.) and Master of Legal Studies (M.L.S.) programs deftly combine quality, convenience, affordability, and real-world practicality.

Students pursuing the J.D. are taught by some of the region's most accomplished attorneys and judges. Our classes are large enough to promote lively discussion but small enough to provide the personal attention students need to develop finely honed skills in legal analysis, writing, and oral advocacy.

Many of our graduates have distinguished themselves as judges, public officials, and attorneys working in private law firms, corporate law offices, and governmental entities. Others have used their legal knowledge to pursue successful careers in fields such as business, education, health care, and law enforcement.

 Our M.L.S. program, offered entirely online, is designed for those who work in law-related fields—such as business, education, health care, law enforcement and others. M.L.S students learn basic principles that define legal relationships, study the processes and procedures through which legal disputes are resolved, and learn practical skills needed to work effectively with counsel to manage legal problems. In elective and capstone courses, students pursue legal subjects related to their own professional interests. Upon graduation, students are well positioned to apply legal expertise as business managers, educators, law enforcement personnel, and more.

Founded more than 40 years ago to expand opportunities for legal education, today the Colleges of Law are widely recognized as being among the state's premier regional law schools. Our part-time, evening law program and online M.L.S. program allow students to prepare for rewarding professional careers without abandoning their job and family responsibilities—and to graduate without the debt they would accrue in more traditional law programs.