Transfer Applicants
Each year, depending upon availability, St. Thomas University School of Law accepts a limited number of students with advanced standing credits. If you’ve completed the first year of full-time legal study at an ABA-approved law school and have done well, we invite you to apply for transfer to the School of Law.
Admission by Transferring from Another Law School
Applications for transfer are considered from students who have attended another law school approved by the American Bar Association (hereinafter ABA) and are in good academic standing at that law school. To be eligible for consideration, transfer applicants must have a law school grade point average of 2.65 or above, or rank in the upper half of their class. Credits earned at the other school will transfer in any class in which the student earned a “C” or above. Credits earned under a Pass/Fail grading system at another law school will not transfer. Grades associated with the credits accepted for transfer do not transfer and are not used in computing the student’s grade point average. Applications for transfer are generally considered from students who have successfully completed at least two semesters (or 24 credits) worth of work at the other school. Generally no more than 30 credits will transfer from the other school. In some circumstances more than 30 credits may transfer, but in no event may more than 45 credits be accepted for transfer.
Admission After Completed Legal Studies in Another Country
Applications for admission are considered from students who have engaged in legal studies at an academic institution in a country other than the United States of America and obtained the terminal academic degree required to practice law in said country. Pursuant to the provisions of ABA Standards for Approval of Law Schools, Standard 507, the law school may accept up to 30 credits as “advanced standing credits” from any student who engaged in legal studies at an academic institution in another country and obtained the terminal academic degree required to practice law in said country. The official transcript of such an applicant must be translated and evaluated by an entity or organization that is qualified to provide such translations and evaluations. The student must also provide certified copies of a transcript from the foreign institution to the law school. To be considered for transfer credits the law school must find that the quality of the educational program at the foreign institution was at least equal to the quality of education at an ABA-accredited school, the student must have received the equivalent of a “C” or above in the course (courses graded on a Pass/Fail system are not considered) and the content of the course considered for the credits must be such that it is appropriate to grant transfer credits. Grades associated with the credits accepted for transfer do not transfer and are not used in computing the student’s grade point average. No more than 30 credits will transfer from the foreign school.
Admission After Completing St. Thomas University School of Law’s LL.M. Program
Applications for admission are considered from students who have previously successfully completed the LL.M. in Intercultural Human Rights Program at St. Thomas University School of Law (hereinafter the LL.M. Program). Pursuant to the provisions of ABA Standards for Approval of Law Schools, Standard 304 (Interpretation 304-7), the law school may accept up to 24 credits from students who previously successfully completed the LL.M. Program. The student must successfully have completed the LL.M. Program prior to admission to the law school program. Grades associated with the credits accepted for transfer do transfer and are used in computing the student’s grade point average. However, the credits and grades associated with the LL.M. program are not transferred until the last semester in which the student is otherwise completing the J.D. program. No more than 24 credits will transfer from the LL.M. program. No credits will be transferred unless the student successfully completed the LL.M. program and obtained the LL.M. degree.
Students Attending Study Abroad Programs or Visiting at Another Law School
Current law students may receive transfer credits for classes taken at another law school, either through a summer (or other semester) study abroad program or for classes taken when the student is authorized to visit at another school. In order for the student to receive credit, the student must receive prior authorization for attendance in the study abroad program or to be a visiting student at the other law school. If visiting, the other law school must be ABA-approved. If a study abroad program, the study abroad program must be ABA-approved. Students may only take elective courses for transfer credits. Credits earned at the other school will transfer in any class in which the student earned a “C” or above. Credits earned under a Pass/Fail grading system at the other law school will not transfer. Grades associated with the credits accepted for transfer do not transfer and are not used in computing the student’s grade point average. Students may take no more than 7 credits in any summer program (either as a visitor or a study abroad program) and no more than 18 credits in any fall or spring semester. Generally, students may not visit in any semester in which the student is a student at the law school. Students may not visit in either of their last two (fall or spring) semesters.
St. Thomas law school students attending St. Thomas’ study abroad program are not governed by this rule. Rather, the grades earned in St. Thomas’ study abroad program are treated as regular class credits and the grades earned are included in the calculation of the student’s grade point average.
Students Participating in Joint Degree Programs
Students may participate in one of the joint degree programs offered by St. Thomas University: J.D./M.B.A. (in Accounting, International Business or Sports Administration), J.D./M.S. (in Sports Administration or Marriage and Family Counseling), and receive 13 transfer credits for the master’s level work completed as part of the joint degree program in which the student is participating. The 13 credits are not applied until the student has otherwise successfully completed all of the requirements for the joint degree program. Credits are not designated from any specific master’s level course. Grades are not transferred, only the credits. No master’s level grades are used in calculating the student’s law school grade point average. No credit will otherwise be given for any master’s level courses, whether taken at St. Thomas University or any other institution.
Transfer Requirements
Transfer students must satisfy the School of Law’s graduation requirements, which may necessitate taking one or more of the School of Law’s first-year courses. In general, transfer applicants are judged on the basis of academic achievement at their current institution as well as their writing ability and other factors relevant to first-year admissions. Individuals that have been dismissed from another law school are not eligible to apply for transfer or first-year admission.
The following items are required to complete the transfer application:
- $60.00 non-refundable application processing fee (Applicant’s name and the last 4 digits of the SSN must be noted on the check or money order payable to St. Thomas University.)
- Letter of good standing from current law school
- Two (2) recommendation letters from law school professors
- Official transcripts reflecting ALL law school courses completed
- Official transcripts from the undergraduate college or university that awarded your bachelor’s degree, sent directly to St. Thomas Law School from the school’s registrar
As a transfer student, you will receive the numerous benefits of the excellent diverse academic environment of St. Thomas University School of Law. Our administration and staff work to integrate incoming transfer students into the life of the law school. From Law Review to the Student Bar Association, you will have every opportunity to enjoy and benefit from everything the school has to offer. You will also join a warm and welcoming law school community with ample opportunities to get to know classmates and professors who will become lifelong friends and mentors - all while enjoying a host of options that Miami has to offer for recreation, nightlife, and the arts.