Transfer / Foreign-Education Students

St. Francis accepts a limited number of transfer students each year, and the competition for these slots is strong.

Please refer to the General Catalog for more information about our transfer policies.

In addition to our standard admission requirements, St. Francis also requires the following of transfer applicants:

Official Law School Transcripts are Required

Transfer applicants are required to disclose, and to submit, official transcripts from, all prior law schools attended. In order for a transcript to be deemed official, it must be sent directly to St. Francis by the other institution, either electronically or by postal mail:

Admissions Office
St. Francis School of Law
895 Dove Street, Third Floor
Newport Beach, CA  92660
admissions@stfrancislaw.com

Transfer Credit for Prior Law Studies Limited

Students enrolled in the J.D. program must complete at least one-half of the program requirements at St. Francis to qualify for the J.D. (i.e., 66 units and 2 years of study). Transfer credit will only be considered for courses taken in a J.D. program at a law school that is (i) ABA-approved; (ii) registered with the State Bar of California; or (iii) accredited by the State Bar of California.  Only classes with a B (3.0) or higher will be eligible for transfer credit consideration. Coursework may be transferred only if completed within 27 months prior to a student’s enrollment.

All credit transfers must be made in compliance with the rules, guidelines, and requirements promulgated by the State Bar of California. Recognition of transfer credit may be subject to the completion of a Credential Evaluation by the California State Bar Committee of Bar Examiners, Office of Admissions.

Transfer of Credit to Other Schools is the Student’s Responsibility

It is the responsibility of each student to review the transferability of credits earned at St. Francis. Students should not assume that credits earned at St. Francis will be accepted by other institutions.  Students should check with the institution to which they intend to transfer for information on that institution’s transfer credit policy.

Starting Law School Over May Be Required

If an applicant has previously attended law school but does not wish to receive any transfer credit, St. Francis must still receive an official transcript from the prior law school(s). Further, the applicant will need to complete a Starting First-Year Law Studies Over Certification form and submit it to the State Bar of California Committee of Bar Examiners/Office of Admissions for approval.

Pursuant to applicable State Bar of California rules and guidelines, foreign-educated students must:

• Submit previous coursework from a foreign institution to a Credential Evaluation service approved by the State Bar of California Committee of Bar Examiners.
• Have a Social Security number or obtain a waiver from the State Bar of California.
• Be fluent in English.

Before you begin the application process, please contact the Admissions Office, so that we can assist you in navigating the process and obtaining the necessary paperwork.

English Language Requirements

All St. Francis courses are conducted in English and no English language services are available or provided.

Competence in both written and oral English is required for effective participation in the St. Francis J.D. program. A student whose native language is not English and who has not earned a degree from an appropriately accredited institution where English is the principal language of instruction must demonstrate college-level proficiency in English through the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). A minimum score of 575 TOEFL PBT/ 90 TOEFL iBT or higher is required prior to admission.

Foreign-Educated Students

St. Francis requires that students educated in a foreign country submit their transcripts for a course-by-course evaluation through a Credential Evaluation Service approved by the Committee of Bar Examiners.

Applicants who have completed any post-secondary work outside of the U.S. must use an approved Credential Evaluation Service for the evaluation of foreign transcripts. Review a list of Approved Credential Evaluation Services to select a service provider.

All documents must be in English, or include an English translation.

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