University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law

The urban public law school with a small liberal arts feel

A Guide For Students Attempting to Transfer, Visit, or Study Abroad While most law students complete their law school career at one institution, many do not. The need to move to another locale after completing one or two years of coursework may arise for any number of reasons ranging from family emergencies to job transfers to curricular needs. Occasionally a student will find herself in the position of having to move to another community -- and law school -- after beginning her second year of law school. In that situation the student is faced with two choices: continue at UMKC until 61 credit hours have been completed, then visit at another school for the final 30 credits; or, transfer as soon as possible with the understanding that, in all probability, no more than 30 UMKC hours will be credited towards the degree requirements at the second institution. The information that follows is intended to outline the rules governing moves from one law school to another, the procedure for accomplishing the move, and the implications of transferring or visiting. Terminology Students frequently are confused by the distinction between "transferring [1] to" and "visiting [2] at" another school. If a student begins her law school career at UMKC, but moves to another law school after completing her first year with the intention of receiving her degree from that institution, the student is a "transfer" student. If the student simply takes classes at that second school with the intention of obtaining credit towards her degree at UMKC, the student is a "visiting" student. Under no circumstances may a UMKC student visit at, or transfer to, another institution until the entire first year curriculum (29 hours) has been completed. Likewise, students from another institution interested in transferring to UMKC ordinarily must have completed their entire first year of law school curriculum. A maximum of 30 hours of credit earned at another law school may be applied toward obtaining a J.D. Degree from the UMKC School of Law. Transferring to UMKC Transferring from UMKC Visiting at UMKC Visit at Another School Study Abroad A Guide for Transfer Students Campus Map Student Health and Wellness Center