The Northern Illinois University College of Law has received approval from the American Bar Association to launch a new Part-Time Juris Doctor (J.D.) program at our NIU Naperville campus, expanding access to high-quality legal education for working professionals and students across the Chicago region. The program will enroll its first class in Fall 2027.
Designed to provide flexibility without compromising academic rigor, the Naperville-based program will allow students to earn a fully accredited J.D. in four years while continuing to meet professional and personal commitments. Students will attend classes two evenings per week, with limited weekend sessions in later semesters, across fall, spring, and summer terms. The program will incorporate a blend of in-person instruction and thoughtfully designed online coursework and will follow the same rigorous 90-credit curriculum as NIU Law’s full-time program in DeKalb, preparing graduates for the bar exam and a wide range of legal careers.
“Legal education must evolve to meet the realities of today’s students and the needs of the profession,” said Dean Cassandra L. Hill. “Our Naperville Part-Time J.D. program expands access for talented working professionals and caregivers while strengthening the pipeline of lawyers serving communities throughout Northern Illinois and the greater Chicago metropolitan region.”
NIU Law plans to enroll small, highly engaged cohorts to foster a collaborative learning environment characterized by individualized faculty mentorship, strong peer connections, and a supportive academic community. Students will learn from NIU Law’s distinguished faculty as well as experienced practitioners and adjunct instructors drawn from the legal community in the western suburbs and the broader Chicago metropolitan area.
A hallmark of the program is its emphasis on experiential learning. NIU Law plans to launch a criminal defense clinic in partnership with public defender offices in Kane and DuPage counties, offering students hands-on legal experience through evening and weekend court opportunities that align with the program’s schedule. Students will also benefit from externships, pro bono opportunities, academic success support, and comprehensive bar preparation support.
Located at NIU’s Naperville campus in the heart of the western suburbs, the program is designed to serve a diverse population of students—including professionals in business, government, healthcare, education, and nonprofit sectors—who seek to advance or transition their careers through legal education without leaving the workforce. By offering a high-quality, flexible law school option in a region with a large and diverse professional population, NIU Law’s part-time J.D. program reflects the College of Law’s longstanding mission to expand access, opportunity, and public service in legal education.
Applications for the inaugural class will open in September 2026. More information is available on the College of Law website.
