Southwestern Opens 1L Trial Run Applications
The online, non-credit course lets prospective students sample a first-year Criminal Law class before applying to law school.
Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Distance Learning
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Southwestern Law School has opened applications for its 1L Trial Run Program, an online offering that lets prospective students experience a first-year Criminal Law course. The inaugural cohort of 24 students begins in January 2027.
Why it matters
The program targets prospective law students who want to evaluate whether law school is worth the investment before committing. It is not eligible for federal financial aid and awards no J.D. credit.
The inaugural cohort is capped at 24 students in a 12-week, non-credit online course. Completers who finish with distinction receive accelerated J.D. application review and a three-unit summer tuition benefit.
The players
Southwestern Law School
A private law school in Los Angeles that offers a Juris Doctor program and is launching this online pre-law course as a way to recruit and orient prospective students.
The details
Participants complete weekly asynchronous modules, graded assignments, and a final examination in the Criminal Law course. Those who finish earn the Applied Legal Reasoning: Criminal Law certificate and a digital badge, and completers who enroll at Southwestern receive a tuition credit equal to what they paid for the course.
Timeline
November 10, 2026: Priority application deadline for the 1L Trial Run Program.
November 16, 2026, 4:30 p.m. Pacific: Live information session hosted by Southwestern.
Mid-January 2027: Inaugural 24-student cohort begins.
Roadmap
Programs like this one let applicants test a first-year course before committing to tuition that can run for three years. The approach offers a preview of legal training at a fraction of full J.D. cost.
Prospective students should note the November 10 priority deadline and that the course is not eligible for federal financial aid. Completers who enroll at Southwestern receive a tuition credit equal to their course fee.
The takeaway
Prospective law students can test a first-year course cheaply before deciding on a full J.D. program. Reviewing eligibility and fee-credit terms early helps avoid surprises at enrollment.
What happens next
The priority application deadline is November 10, 2026, and the live information session is November 16, 2026 at 4:30 p.m. Pacific.
Further reading
Explore more on Distance Learning options for prospective students across Los Angeles.
More information
Review 1L Trial Run eligibility, tuition, and application details on the Southwestern Law School site.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Elliotlakestandard.
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