Registrar Q & A
JOIN US FOR AN INFORMATIONAL CHAT AT http://law.fordham.edu/registrar/2771.htm
How many credits do I need to graduate with a JD degree?
Eighty three (83) credit units are required for the degree of doctor of Law (J.D.). The program in the day division extends over three academic years and in the evening division over four academic years.
What is the required number of credits that I must take each semester?
No student in the day division may take fewer than twelve (12) hours or more than sixteen (16) hours per semester without special permission. No student in the part-time/evening division may take fewer than eight (8) or more than twelve (12) hours per semester.
Can I take more than the maximum credits?
Yes, but only in unusual and exceptional circumstances and only with the approval of the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs. Please note that if you take more than the maximum allowed credits, you will be charged for each additional credit.
How do I register for classes on my.fordham.edu?
Click here for further detail instructions
Are there a minimum number of days over which I must schedule classes?
Yes. The New York State Court of Appeals requires that all students must schedule classes over minimum of three days. Under no circumstances shall a day or evening/part-time student take classes fewer than three (3) days per calendar week. In addition, the New York State Court of Appeals requires that all full time students must schedule their classes a minimum of four (4) days per calendar week during one of the upper-class semesters.
What is the residency requirement?
To graduate, all students must receive residence credit for six (6) full time semesters or eight (8) part time semesters, or the equivalent. To receive residence credit for a semester, full time students must pass at least ten (10) credit hours of coursework per semester; part time students must pass at least eight (8) credit hours of coursework per semester. Additional credits earned in one academic year or summer session will not permit a student to take fewer than the minimum credit hours per semester thereafter.
Can I earn residency credits during the summer?
Yes. Each summer session in which a student completes five (5) class credits, over at least 35 days, is the equivalent of one half of a residency credit (a full-time fall or spring semester is the equivalent of one residency credit). Combining two summer sessions, therefore, would be the equivalent of one full-time semester.
What courses count toward residency?
All first year courses, upper level electives, in-house clinics & associated fieldworks/casework, and externship seminars count towards residency credit. Journals and moot court activities (even where academic credit is given), independent studies, and externship fieldwork do NOT count toward residency.
Is it possible to obtain a waiver of these residency rules if I can demonstrate special circumstances?
No. Our requirements are designed to meet or exceed the requirements of the New York Court of Appeals, the American Bar Association, and the Association of American Law Schools. Thus any student seeking a waiver of the Law School's requirements should realize that such a waiver might violate one or more of the accreditors' rules. This could mean that the student would not be eligible for admission to practice. Students are responsible for a thorough knowledge of the requirements for eligibility for practice in each jurisdiction in which they plan to apply for admission.
May I expedite my graduation?
Yes. Students may expedite their graduation date to finish one semester early. In order to finish early, students can combine summer sessions to satisfy the residency requirement (see above).
Beyond the first year, are there additional course requirements?
Yes. In addition to the required first year curriculum, you students must also take Corporations and Professional Responsibility, a Professional Skills course as well as completion of the upper level writing requirement.
How do I satisfy the writing requirement?
The requirement can be completed thru a two credit independent study or designated seminar in which a paper is required that satisfies the requirement. If completed with a two (2) credit seminar, student may receive a one (1) credit independent study for the additional work required to satisfy the writing requirement, over and above what the student would receive for the seminar paper. To fulfill the writing requirement you will need to complete the online form on the registrar webpage and have your supervising professor sign it. The writing requirement MUST be completed prior to last semester of graduating year.
Can I take more than one 2 credit independent study?
Yes, but we would not advise that you do so in a single semester.
Can I drop a course after I have registered for it?
Yes. You may drop and add courses during the add/drop period at the beginning of each semester. If you would like to drop or add a course beyond the add/drop period you will need the approval of the Associate Dean for Academics. Once you have received this approval, your transcript will reflect “w” (withdraw) for the dropped course.
May I visit abroad or at another US law school?
Yes. To visit at a foreign university or law school, you will need the approval of the Assistant Dean for International Programs. To visit or take classes at a U.S. law school, you will need the approval of the Registrar. You must obtain this approval prior to registration for any courses.
Do all grades automatically transfer back from other approved programs or other schools?
No. Only credits transfer back where a minimum grade of “C” is required. Official transcripts must be submitted to Fordham Registrar and/or to the International Program office.
What do registration messages mean?
- Hold – You cannot register or receive transcripts
- Financial – You must contact the Bursar’s Office
- Health – You must contact the Health Services http://www.fordham.edu/campus_resources/student_services/student_health_servi/
- Academic – You must contact the Registrar office
- Closed course – The course is registered at its maximum capacity
- Closed with restriction – The course has limited seats reserved for certain students. For example, some courses have seats held for LLM students. If a course has seats held, the seats will be released in mid-July for Fall registration and in early January for Spring registration.
- Waitlist – Some limited enrollment classes offer waitlists
How do I get into a wait-list course?
After some courses reach capacity, and close to new registrants, students may have an option to place themselves on a wait-list. The waitlist is an automated process with random selection based on seniority—e.g. third year day and fourth year evening students are given priority. The wait-list ends the last day of add/drop.
How many drafting classes may I take?
You may take a maximum of one per semester. See http://law.fordham.edu/registrar/10878.htm
How do I find out about schedule changes?
The Registrar posts any changes to the class schedule on its webpage. Closely monitor this page before and during Registration for any changes to the schedule.
May I take Business courses at the Fordham Graduate School?
Yes. You must, however, seek permission from Registrar to register for a graduate business course.
Do the credits transfer back?
Yes, but only partially. For instance, a 3 credit Business course will transfer back as 2 credits to the Law School.
Does Fordham Law offer joint degree programs?
Yes. We offer joint degree programs with the graduate schools of business administration, social services, and arts and sciences. For information about our J.D./M.A., J.D./M.S.W. and J.D./M.B.A. programs please go to: http://law.fordham.edu/admissions/600.htm
Who may I contact for advisement of the Joint Degree Programs?
For further information and advisement regarding the following joint degree programs, students should contact:
Professor Clare Huntington (CHUNTINGTON@law.fordham.edu) for the JD/MSW joint degree program;
Professor Tom Lee (THLEE@law.fordham.edu). for the JD/MA in the IPED program;
Professor Richard Squire (RSQUIRE@law.fordham.edu) for the JD/MBA program.
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