Students at the University of Wisconsin Law School may earn up to 30 credits toward a University of Wisconsin Law School J.D. by studying law abroad. Students may:
- participate in one of our international exchange programs;
- attend other law school programs; or
- create their own independent foreign study programs.
Credits earned abroad may be used to meet graduation requirements. With the exception of the UW Law School's Summer Session in International and Comparative Law in Giessen, Germany, credits earned abroad are entered as "satisfactory/unsatisfactory". Students must earn at least a C or its equivalent in the study abroad program to receive credit.
Outgoing students
UW Law School Exchange Programs (includes the application form)
Summer Program in Giessen, Germany
Handbook for outgoing exchange students
Information session on Study Abroad
We will have an information session on Study Abroad on Tuesday, February 12, 2013 from Noon-1pm in Lubar Commons (7200 Law), to explain the application and selection process. All interested law students are welcome. Questions? contact Sumudu Atapattu
Programs offered by other US Law Schools
Our students also may participate in law programs offered by other American
Bar Association-approved law schools around the world. Students must be admitted
by the programs and pay tuition and fees as charged by the programs.
ABA-approved semester-abroad programs
ABA-approved summer study abroad programs
Creating your own independent study abroad program
The American Bar Association permits law students to earn credits toward the
J.D. through independent study programs abroad. Students may create a program
at one foreign law school or several. See ABA criteria for such foreign independent
study.
The UW Law School will help you if you wish to construct your own individual
study abroad plan, but most of the responsibility will be yours. UW Law students
interested in pursuing this option should start by reviewing on their own the
ABA criteria, researching the admissions process (as a non-permanent student)
at the foreign school(s), as well as any applicable deadlines and the potential
law courses available.
Please contact Sumudu Atapattu, Associate Director, GLS, to discuss your options. Course plans will be reviewed by Assistant Dean Kevin Kelly. Please note that you need to obtain prior approval for all the courses you intend to take in order to ensure that the foreign law credits can be transferred.
Independent Study Abroad Notification Form
Note: This form must be completed by those students who are planning to design their own program abroad and are not participating in a regular law school exchange program
Checklist for Students Preparing to Study Abroad
Students who are studying abroad should check out our Checklist for Students Preparing to Study Abroad for a list of things that need to be done before leaving the U.S.
Further Questions?
For answers to general questions about study abroad opportunities, contact Sumudu Atapattu, Associate Director, GLS. For questions about how financial aid is impacted by study abroad, contact Rebecca Scheller, Assistant Dean for Admissions & Financial Aid.
Incoming exchange students
Law students from our partner institutions who are interested in coming to UW Madison should contact the exchange coordinator at their home institution and follow the application procedure of the home institution.
UW Law School Application form
Handbook for incoming exchange students
Online tutorial for new international students
