1.16 Transfer of Credit from Other Law Schools

Transfer credit for classes taken at other law schools will be given only under the circumstances described in this section. A student must obtain at least a “C+” or better in each course for the credit to count towards the CUNY School of Law degree. CUNY Law does not accept transfer credit for courses taken pass/fail. (If a student earns a grade of C or lower or has taken a course on a pass/fail basis, the student will not receive transfer credit for the class.) A student who takes a course which has been approved by the Academic Dean and who receives a grade of “C+” or better will not receive transfer credit until the Registrar’s Office receives an official transcript for that student from the other law school. All grades of “C+” or better in transfer credit courses will be entered as “Credit” on the student’s CUNY School of Law transcript and will not be calculated into a student’s GPA. 

a) Transfer Students 

To receive transfer credit for courses that were successfully completed at another law school prior to admission to CUNY School of Law, a student must request consideration for credit in his or her application for admission to the Law School. If a student requests such consideration, the Academic Dean will determine whether, or how many, credits will be granted. In compliance with Law School policy, no more than 30 credit hours may be transferred from other law schools consistent with ABA Standards. 

b) Currently Enrolled Students 

Requests for credit transfer should be directed to the Academic Dean, who must approve the course and the request to transfer credits before the student takes it. The Law School may accept credits from other law schools that are earned during the period of matriculation toward the CUNY Law School degree in three circumstances: 

1. With the advance permission of the Academic Dean, which may be granted only to accommodate exceptional circumstances, a student may earn up to 30 hours of credit towards the CUNY School of Law degree as a visiting student at another ABA-approved law school. 

2. With the advance permission of the Academic Dean, which may be granted to permit a student to take a course not offered at the Law School at all or, with respect to failed, required courses, not offered at the Law School in the student’s final semester or in other exceptional circumstances is approved by the Academic Dean. 

3. With the advance permission of Academic Affairs, which may be granted only if the courses are not offered at the Law School and are important to the student’s career goals, or if there are significant extenuating circumstances, a student may earn up to 7 hours of credit in a summer session and up to 14 hours of credit in two summer sessions at another ABA-accredited law school. 

Procedures for Approval and Transfer of Course Credit from Other Law Schools 
To receive credit for approved courses obtained as a visiting student at another ABA-approved law school, the student must complete a “Non-CUNY Permit” form and a “Request to Attend Classes at Other Law Schools” form. (These forms are available in Academic Affairs and the Registrar’s offices). Visiting credits will be transferred only for courses previously approved by the Academic Dean and in which a student receives a “C+” or better grade. Courses that are graded Pass/Fail will not be accepted. 

Procedures for Obtaining Permission and Transferring Credit from Summer Classes at Other Schools 

4. A student must complete the summer school permission form and attach the non-CUNY permit form. (These forms are available in Academic Affairs.) 

5. The student must attach a copy of the summer school brochure and indicate the course(s) they want to take. 

6. The summer school courses must be part of an ABA-approved summer program. 

7. If the request is approved, the student will be contacted to pick up a letter of good standing to send with the application to the other school. 

8. When the student enrolls in the summer school course, the student should obtain and complete the summer school’s form, which will authorize the summer school to transmit the student’s grade(s) to the Registrar. 

9. When the official transcript from the other school arrives in the Registrar, CUNY School of Law will then compare the course taken to the one originally approved. Transfer credits will be accepted only for those courses which were approved by the Academic Dean and in which the student has received a “C+” or better. (Note: No transfer credit will be given for a grade of “C” or lower.) 

10. Pass/Fail from summer school courses at other schools will not result in credit transfer, unless special permission is obtained from the Academic Dean before enrollment.