Spring 2026 Cohort – Frequently Asked Questions
Question 1: What is the anticipated size of the Spring Cohort?
Answer: The Spring Cohort will be approximately 30 students.
Question 2: If I retake the LSAT, will my new score be considered for scholarship awarding?
Answer: Yes. If you retake the LSAT prior to January and earn a higher score, the Committee will review your new LSAT score for possible scholarship reconsideration.
Question 3: What is the financial aid benefit to starting in January?
Answer: Beginning July 1st, 2026, significant changes to federal aid as outlined in the One Big Beautiful Bill will take effect. These changes will include new repayment plans, altered loan limits, the elimination of the Grad PLUS loan program, and changes to borrower benefits. Students who enroll in law school prior to July 1st, 2026, can take advantage of existing federal aid guidelines and programs, including Grad PLUS Loans, public service loan forgiveness and better loan repayment options.
Question 4: If students start in the Spring 2026 Cohort and intend to graduate in three years, will they finish in December 2028?
Answer: Yes, a student who starts in spring 2026 and intends to graduate in 3 years will finish in December 2028, unless they accelerate to 2 ½ years and graduate in May 2028.
Question 5: Can students in the Spring Cohort catch up with the Fall 2025 incoming class by the second year?
Answer: Students who enroll in the Spring Cohort can potentially catch up at the beginning of the third year if they take a full load of classes in their second spring and second fall (16-17 credits) and in their second summer (8 credits). At the start of the third year, if students do the above, they will have 55-56 credits and will need 32-33 credits (16-17 each semester) in their third year to graduate in 2 ½ years (May 2028).
Question 6: How does starting in the spring affect the typical 1L summer? Can students take classes in the summer or are internships/externships available at that point?
Answer: Students who enroll in the Spring Cohort will take prescribed classes during their first summer term; however, they will not be eligible to participate in internships or externships during Summer 2026.
Question 7: Will Spring Cohort students participate in New Student Orientation?
Answer: Yes. Students who enroll in the Spring Cohort will participate in New Student Orientation. Tentative dates are January 12-15, 2026. Once confirmed, full orientation details will be announced.
Question 8: Will students who enroll in the Spring Cohort take traditional courses and follow the standard first year curriculum?
Answer: Yes. Students who enroll in the Spring Cohort will take the following courses in Spring 2026: Research and Writing I, Civil Procedure, Criminal Law, and Contracts.
Question 9: Can students who enroll in the Spring Cohort receive transfer credits if they attended another law school prior to enrollment?
Answer: No. The Spring Cohort is for first-year incoming students only. Students who enroll in the Spring Cohort are not eligible to receive transfer credits for prior attendance at other law schools. If students attended another law school prior to enrolling in the Spring Cohort, they will not receive transfer credits, and they will be required to take all first-year required curriculum.
Question 10: Are housing options available to students who begin in the Spring Cohort?
Answer: Yes. Students should contact our Office of Residential Life to explore on-campus and off-campus resources. Contact information is as follows: housing@law.stetson.edu or (727) 562-7886.
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A national powerhouse in this area, Stetson Law is ranked #1 in Trial Advocacy by U.S. News & World Report (2024).
This concentration is designed to assist students in mastering the fundamental skills required to be competent and ethical litigators through dynamic and innovative courses taught by faculty with diverse and comprehensive experience.
Students pursuing careers in litigation can receive a Certificate of Concentration in Advocacy by completing at least 21 credits of approved advocacy-related courses, fulfilling the advocacy pro bono hours and mentoring requirements, and successfully completing an upper-level writing requirement in an advocacy-related topic.
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This concentration is designed to hone skills and knowledge for those interested in pursuing careers in business law, including courses in subjects such as commercial law, taxation, and international business.
Intense experiential curriculum includes opportunities in bankruptcy, in-house practice, intellectual property, documenting deals, and much more to develop real-world skills.
Students will receive close mentoring from members of the faculty with experience in business law and can utilize Stetson Law’s partnerships with various financial, cybersecurity, and other companies to further sharpen proficiencies and build relationships.
Stetson Business Law Review is the newest addition to our exclusive and highly coveted periodicals where associates and the editorial board work as a team to deliver sustained excellence in publishing noteworthy articles in the area of business law. Concentrating on this topic allows members the unique opportunity to present their work to business law interested peers.
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The Center for Elder Justice is an internationally recognized hub of ideas and information in this growing area of practice.
Select students attend the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys National Conference.
Students participate in the nation’s largest Special Needs Trust Conference, sponsored by Stetson College of Law annually.
Students can become editors for The Journal of Aging Law & Policy, an international journal that addresses global issues associated with aging populations.
Students may obtain a concentration in Elder Law by completing 21 hours of electives in the area of Elder Law or Estate Planning.
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The Jacobs Law Clinic provides a much-needed public service of pro bono legal aid while affording Stetson’s law students opportunities to help represent clients with hands-on case management and the development of the advocacy skills necessary to be successful attorneys.
Students have access to distinguished environmental professionals who visit campus to participate in the Edward and Bonnie Foreman Biodiversity Lecture Series, the Stetson International Environmental Moot Court Competition, and other events relating to environmental policy.
Students may have the opportunity to participate in the Environmental Law—Student Teaching Program, in which they teach as adjunct professors at the undergraduate level.
Externship opportunities with environmental agencies and organizations are available throughout the year, with the Jacobs Environmental Law Externship Fund providing financial support for concentration students for summer placements.
Students may work with the Institute for Biodiversity Law and Policy on projects such as amicus briefs on behalf of scientific organizations and research for the Inter-American Convention for the Protection and Conservation of Sea Turtles.
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Designed for students who want to advance their studies in either private or public international law, this program gives students the opportunity to learn from highly respected faculty specializing in international human rights, international arbitration, and international business.
This competitive program is designed to admit no more than five students per year.
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Stetson Law leverages its strong advocacy core to prepare students to serve the causes that matter to them.
Through deliberate coursework, students choose elective courses with a career path in mind.
Each student works closely with a faculty mentor who has experience in the field of social justice advocacy.
Learning opportunities include the popular Constitutional Law and the Civil Rights Movement Travel Course, which takes students to six cities associated with the Civil Rights Movement.