Transfer Students   

Any student who is contemplating either transferring to another institution, visiting away, studying abroad with another institution, or taking a leave of absence must see the Dean of Students, Cara Foerst, before initiating any formal process relating to these changes.

Permission to visit away at another ABA-approved law school will be granted only in extraordinary circumstances. Specifically, permission will be granted to visit away during the spring or fall semester, or for a summer semester if residency credit is requested, only for reasons of unforeseen hardship, including but not limited to medical emergency, unexpected relocation of a family member or life partner, or financial catastrophe. If a student believes that extraordinary circumstances exist, as defined above, he or she can submit a written petition to the Dean of Students explaining why she should grant the student’s request to study abroad during the school year or during the summer for residency credit. The Dean of Students shall notify any student filing such a petition of her decision in writing.

Students who change division from part-time to full-time after completing their first year at Seton Hall may not receive credit for a summer semester in residence by visiting another school. This includes participating in another institution’s study abroad program. A student will only receive residency credit for summer study if they are completing summer school courses at Seton Hall Law School, or participating in one of Seton Hall Law School’s summer abroad programs. In rare circumstances, where a student cannot achieve a particular academic concentration at Seton Hall Law and where such a student has demonstrated a strong commitment to that area of the law, the Dean of Students may make an exception to this policy and permit summer study at another institution to count for residency purposes.

Any student wishing to participate in another institution’s summer/winter study abroad program or on-campus summer/winter session must receive prior approval from the Dean of Students. This application can be found on the Seton Hall Law School website under on-line forms for current students. Permission to participate in such a program will only be granted if the student is 1) in good standing; and 2) is not requesting residency credit for these courses, and 3) the program is approved by the ABA.

If a student is given permission to visit another institution or to participate in another institution’s study abroad program or summer/winter session, transfer credit will be given for pre-approved courses only. Courses are approved individually. Only academic credits earned at an ABA approved program or an ABA law school may be transferred. Transfer credit is not awarded for courses similar in content to those already completed. No required course may be taken at another institution. Credits will only be accepted if the grade is satisfactory under the grading scheme of the school offering the course. Credit for classes taken at another law school will be applied towards the student’s Seton Hall Law School degree, but grades received will not be reflected on the student’s Seton Hall transcript or factored into the student’s grade point average for any purpose.

Students seeking to change division must submit a written application to the Dean of Students no later than June 1st following the spring semester of their first year of law school. The decision granting or denying the request to change divisions will be based on the student’s academic record at the end of the spring semester. Students can access the “Application for Change of Division” on the Seton Hall Law School website under on-line forms for current students.

Students who transferred into Seton Hall Law School after their first year at another institution are not eligible to visit away during any part of their last two (or three) years of their law school program.

Law students may apply for a leave of absence for up to one year by making a written request stating the reason for such a leave and meeting with the Dean of Students. A leave entitles a student to continue his/her law studies within one year. Further leaves may be sought, but leaves for more than one year are very rarely granted. Students who suspend their legal studies for any reason should keep in mind that credits may be counted towards graduation requirements only if they are earned within six years from the date of graduation.