Kaplan Higher Education has announced it will merge with Concord Law School to create the first law school program that may be completed entirely online. The merger meshes one of the pioneers of online legal education with an industry leader in online programming to create the first online law school that is part of a regionally accredited academic institution.

The move will be a win-win for the students. The merger with Kaplan will enhance program options for students, enabling those in the legal field to also have access to courses in business, the health sciences and education. Law students now will have access to all of Kaplan's library resources and the chance to secure additional funding for coursework as well.

Concord Law, founded nine years ago, will be known as the Concord Law School of Kaplan University.The key to further growth will be to expand its accredited online legal program. Currently, Concord graduates may sit only for the bar exam in California.

Concord Law will remain based in Los Angeles. The 1,500 legal students from across the country will join the more than 27,000 Kaplan students.