Together, the cohort known as Section O is the inaugural group for the law school’s Online J.D. Program. When it launched in Fall 2022, it was the first fully online J.D. program accredited by the American Bar Association. Now, additional law schools have followed the St. Mary’s Law example with their own online programs. Created to give non-traditional students an opportunity to obtain a law degree outside a classroom setting in a part-time program, Section O was filled with myriad students, many of whom worked full time and had families.Now, the School of Law has three more cohorts, each starting in the fall, and capped at 25 students. “St. Mary’s made it possible for Section O to pursue a legal education without stepping away from service,” said Martinez, Texas state representative for District 39, representing Hidalgo County. “The program demanded discipline and focus and is a proud reminder that, with the right structure, working professionals can achieve excellence while continuing to serve their communities.”
