FIU Law emphasizes a comparative law and international curriculum in courses offered at the College of Law, and also seeks to provide appropriate, rigorous study-abroad opportunities, such as our summer program in Seville.
On occasion, our students petition to visit foreign law schools for the fall or spring semester. FIU Law enthusiastically supports semesters abroad, provided that the foreign school meets our standards for academic integrity and rigor. We seek to support the thoughtful educational goals of our current students, and we are aware that individual cross-border, cross-cultural exchanges often ripen into greater inter-institutional alliances.
Indeed, these programs help us better integrate international perspectives into our curriculum. At the core of this goal is our vision of community: We have adopted a broader appreciation of who the community is we seek to serve – not only the local, regional or national communities, but the international community as well.
An international semester abroad provides one of the best opportunities for in-depth, intensive study to each student participate, and FIU Law is eager to pursue cross-border exchanges. We anticipate that the individual study program will allow members of our faculty to interact with the faculty at a foreign law school, and we encourage our students to act as emissary for future institutional interactions. These goals are consistent with our mission and the individual semester abroad serves to enhance our academic program.
Semester or Year-Long Study Abroad Program
Credits for semester abroad programs are governed by FIU Law’s Academic Policies & Regulations, as well as by the American Bar Association (“ABA”). FIU Law will assist you in developing a viable plan.
Requirements
- Students who have completed their first-year or equivalent, if part-time, may submit applications for semester abroad programs. Generally, students should complete all of their required courses at FIU Law before seeking to study abroad.
- Credit is given for grades earned of “C” or better, “Pass,” or equivalent. Grades that satisfy criteria set forth in the section on Transfer Credits in the Student Handbook may be transferred to FIU College of Law.
- Students must be fluent in the language of instruction at the foreign institution and may be tested by FIU for language proficiency prior to their departure.
- Students must receive pre-approval from the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs at FIU Law before beginning any semester study abroad program. Courses taken or completed before approval is granted will not be transferred to FIU Law.
- For your information the ABA Criteria for Approval of Individual Student Study Abroad for Academic Creditcan be found here.
ABA Criteria for Student Study at a Foreign Institution:
Download and review a copy of the criteria for student study here.
ABA approved Foreign Semester Programs:
Your first option is to visit:
http://www.abanet.org/legaled/studyabroad/semester.html. These programs are approved by the ABA.
- You can find ABA approved programs here.
- Your second option is to review the list of schools that FIU has collaborated with.
- Your third option is to submit your preference to Julie Beineke, Coordinator of International & Graduate Studies at the College of Law, for review.
Application Process
- Students must apply no later than October 1 for the spring semester and March 1 for fall semester.
- Students must submit a proposal for their course of study to Julie Beineke, Coordinator for International & Graduate Studies Programs, with a $250.00 check.
- Students will pay the tuition and fees applicable to the foreign institution and will not pay tuition or fees at FIU Law for the credits earned abroad, unless, there is a specific exchange agreement between the two universities.
- Download Application (PDF)
Academic Advising
- The ABA Criteria for Approval of Individual Student Study Abroad for Academic Credit requires a full-time faculty member from FIU College of Law and one professor from the foreign institution to supervise the student’s course of study.
- Students are strongly encouraged to fulfill all of FIU College of Law’s required courses before studying abroad. This includes requirements for a long-paper, two skills course credits, and at least two statutory courses.
Financial Aid
- Students may receive financial aid only for credits transferred back to FIU Law.
- Students may apply for student loans to cover fees, transportation, and the cost of living expenses while at the foreign institution. Many foreign universities, especially in Europe, have been assigned a Federal Loan Identification Number, which allows the WMCL Financial Aid Office to administer federal loans as if the student were studying in the US.
- Students may also be eligible for scholarships awarded specifically for study abroad. Check the following web site for information: Fastweb. It lists over 180,000 scholarships and loans.
- For more information regarding financial aid, please contact the Office of Admissions and Financial Aid.
Passports and other Information
- Passports are required for entry into or for extended stays in most foreign countries. For extended stays, (the duration varies from country to country), most foreign countries also require visas. For the most recent travel information, including information regarding passports, visas, foreign consulates in the U.S., and travel warnings see www.state.gov/travel/.
- Most countries require proof of your ability to cover your living expenses while living in their country. Proof often may be satisfied by obtaining a certified letter from your bank or from the financial aid office at FIU Law or the host foreign school.
Other Important Considerations and Helpful Hints
- Students are strongly advised to begin the application process as early as possible, as it requires approval from several parties. This task is a lengthy and time consuming.
- You need to develop a reliable contact and gain permission from a full-time professor at the host foreign law school. It is wise to develop a specific contact, who you can call at the foreign university, and who can answer questions regarding your intended course of study.
Access for Persons with Disabilities
Students with documented disabilities who may require specific accommodations while studying abroad should consult with the Program Director at the time of application.