Transfer, Visiting, Guest, and Foreign-trained Applicants
Transfer Applicants | Visiting Applicants | Guest Applicants | Foreign-trained Guest Applicants
Transfer Applicants
Eligibility
Students who have completed at least one year (two semesters) at another ABA approved law school are eligible for transfer. Only in extreme cases will transfer applicants with just one semester of study at another ABA approved law school be eligible for transfer.
Applicants who have completed at least one year at another law school may be admitted in either the fall or spring semester.
Transferable Credits
In order to earn a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Maryland School of Law, students must obtain 53 of the 85 credits required for graduation in courses or other credit programs offered by the School of Law. Therefore, no more than 32 credits may be transferred. Grades will not transfer.
Transfer Application Checklist
For a transfer application to be considered complete, it must contain the following:
- University of Maryland School of Law Application
- $65.00 application fee (make check or money order payable to University of Maryland)
- Complete LSDAS Report (including transcripts from all undergraduate
and graduate schools attended). LSDAS reports can be submitted
via two methods:
- Directly from LSAC, or
- Photocopy of LSDAS report mailed to us directly from your current law school
- Transcripts covering all courses taken in any law school
- Statement of good standing and class rank
- Statement of the reasons for requesting transfer
- Personal Statement. The admissions committee selects applicants with the greatest potential for law school study and whose background and experience will contribute to the diversity we believe is important to the study of law and whose presence will benefit the community. All applicants are strongly encouraged to discuss their background, experience, and special circumstances in the personal statement.
- Two letters of recommendation from law school professors. Do not use the LSDAS service to submit your letters of recommendation. Please have your recommenders submit your letters directly to the Admissions Office.
Deadlines
Transfer applications must be complete by the following dates:
- Fall admission: July 1st
- Spring admission: December 1st
Visiting Applicants
Students in good standing at another ABA accredited law school who wish to attend classes at the University of Maryland School of Law with the intention of applying those credits towards degree requirements at their home law school may apply as visiting applicants.
In addition to the requirements for transfer applicants, visiting applicants must submit a letter from the dean of their home law school stating that the credits they earned at Maryland will be accepted towards degree requirements at their home law school and if applicable, any other conditions. Please review the application requirements and deadlines for visiting and guest applicants.
Guest Applicants
Guest applicant status is available to members of the bar or others who may need to take a course or two to supplement previous studies or for professional reasons.
Guest students may take no more than eight credits total at the School of Law. Guest students are subject to the same academic regulations and procedures as regular students. Credits earned while a guest student will NOT be applied to degree requirements should the student be later admitted to the J.D. program.
Not all offerings and programs are open to guest students, and enrollment is contingent on the availability of space and administrative approval.
Application Requirements for Visiting and Guest Applicants:
- University of Maryland School of Law Application
- $65.00 application fee
- Transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate work
- Statement naming the course(s) in which the applicant would like to enroll and the reasons for the request
Deadlines
- Fall enrollment: August 1st
- Spring enrollment: December 1st
- Summer enrollment: May 1st
Foreign-trained Attorneys Applying as Guest Applicants
Individuals who received their legal education and training outside of the United States may take courses at the School of Law as a visiting student or a guest student, depending on the nature of their needs. Required courses, Cardin Program courses, all Moot Court courses, Independent Study, Asper Fellowships and Externships and similar offerings are not open to foreign-trained attorneys, except those who become JD degree candidates.
For more information on bar admission requirements for foreign-trained attorneys throughout the United States, please visit http://www.ncbex.org/comprehensive-guide-to-bar-admissions/.
Foreign-trained attorneys applying for admission as visiting or guest students must submit the following:
- University of Maryland School of Law Application
- $65.00 application fee (make check or money order payable to University of Maryland)
- Official records of previous academic training, including law school work. Please have your schools send these directly to University of Maryland School of Law
- A course-by course evaluation of all foreign transcripts by the LSAC or a member organization of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (http://www.naces.org).
- Personal statement
- Two letters of recommendation. If English is not your first language, please submit letters of recommendation from individuals who are able to comment on, among other things, your ability to write and speak English.
- Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Foreign trained attorneys who claim English as their second language must take the TOEFL. TOEFL scores are only valid for two years, and we will not accept outdated scores. We will only accept TOEFL scores sent to us directly from Educational Testing Services (ETS). PHOTOCOPIES OF TOEFL REPORTS ARE NOT ACCEPTABLE.
For more information on the TOEFL, please visit http://www.toefl.org. Our TOEFL code is 5814 03.
A foreign-trained who wishes to apply directly for our Juris Doctor program must meet the requirements of first-year applicants and international students.
A foreign-trained attorney admitted as a visitor or guest who later wishes to become a candidate for the JD program must apply again for admission (and will be required to take the LSAT). All information regarding foreign-trained attorneys should be sent directly to the law school, not through LSDAS.
