Kim Kardashian has made headlines once again, but this time it’s not for fashion or reality television—it’s for a personal achievement that’s been years in the making. The SKIMS founder recently took to Instagram to announce a pivotal milestone in her long journey toward becoming a lawyer. As fans and celebrities alike flooded her post with congratulations, a parallel conversation emerged online about what her accomplishment truly means and how it’s being described.

In her heartfelt announcement, Kim wrote, “Six years ago, I embarked on an unconventional path to pursue my dream of becoming a lawyer. It wasn’t easy, and it took longer than planned, but I never gave up.” She went on to detail her journey, explaining that she enrolled in a specialized legal program registered with the California State Bar. Rather than attending a traditional law school, she followed an alternative route that’s available in only a few states—one that emphasizes real-world experience under the mentorship of licensed attorneys. Starting with 75 college credits, Kim committed herself to a four-year legal study program, which ultimately extended to six years. She emphasized, “The journey was real, and so is the accomplishment,” and expressed deep gratitude to those who stood by her, especially mentors Van Jones, Jessica Jackson, and Erin Haney.

Her sister Khloé Kardashian was one of the first to celebrate the milestone publicly, posting on Instagram, “Congratulations my baby Keeks!!! My sister is done with her law program!!” In the same message, Khloé praised Kim’s dedication and added a significant clarification: “The Law Office Study Program (LOSP) in California, where aspiring lawyers study under an attorney or judge instead of attending law school, is often considered just as rigorous or potentially more difficult than traditional law school.”

This clarification became the center of online discussions shortly after Kim’s announcement. While many applauded her tenacity and work ethic, some social media users took issue with her use of the term “graduated from law school.” As People magazine noted, Kim never attended a traditional college or law school. Instead, she took advantage of California’s rare apprenticeship program, which permits aspiring lawyers to “read the law” by studying under the supervision of practicing attorneys. She began her journey in 2018 with a San Francisco-based law firm and tackled one of the biggest hurdles early on: the First-Year Law Student’s Examination, commonly known as the “baby bar.” Kim passed the notoriously difficult exam on her fourth attempt in 2021, marking a major step forward in her legal journey.

At her recent graduation event, one of her mentors gave insight into the sheer magnitude of her commitment. According to him, Kim studied 18 hours a week, 48 weeks a year, over the span of six years. That’s a staggering total of 5,184 hours dedicated to legal studies—all while managing four children, running her multi-million-dollar business empire, filming her family’s reality shows, and actively participating in criminal justice reform cases. Her mentor praised her grit, stating, “Six years ago, Kim Kardashian walked into this program with nothing but a fierce desire to fight for justice. No law school lectures, no ivory tower shortcuts, just determination and a mountain of case law books to read.”

Still, that didn’t stop the internet from weighing in. One user on X (formerly Twitter) clarified, “Kim Kardashian did not ‘graduate from law school.’ She completed California’s Law Office Study Program, which allows people to skip law school entirely by studying under an attorney.” Another added more bluntly, “Kim Kardashian did NOT graduate law school.” Several users pointed out the distinction, noting that traditional law school requires a bachelor’s degree and completion of the LSAT, neither of which Kim pursued. Some even drew comparisons to similar scenarios, such as, “Reminds me of my boss who told everyone she graduated from Harvard Business School. She took a 2-week course and got a certificate.”

Despite the criticism, many supporters continue to defend Kim’s efforts, highlighting the difficulty and intensity of the LOSP. Though unconventional, it is legally recognized in California, Vermont, Virginia, and Washington as a valid path to becoming a lawyer. It demands not just time, but extraordinary discipline, as participants must study independently and pass the same exams as traditional law students. Kim’s ability to succeed in this environment while managing numerous high-profile responsibilities demonstrates a level of dedication that few would question. Whether or not one agrees with her choice of words, the underlying truth remains: she put in the work.

Kim’s journey also brings to light a broader discussion on educational equity and alternative pathways to professional careers. Her decision to follow a non-traditional route is not only rare but also challenging in ways that many don’t fully understand. For those without the means or time to attend law school full-time, programs like LOSP offer an opportunity—albeit a tough one—to achieve legal credentials through hard work and mentorship.

In the end, Kim’s announcement does more than just spotlight her individual achievement; it invites a reevaluation of how we define success, education, and professional legitimacy. While debates continue online about whether it’s accurate to say she “graduated from law school,” what’s undeniable is that Kim Kardashian has taken a serious step forward in a career dedicated to law and justice—one that many dismissed as impossible when she first began. Her perseverance through setbacks and public skepticism might not win over every critic, but it certainly commands respect from those who understand what it takes to walk an unpaved path and stay the course.