Study Abroad

Lewis & Clark Law School has partnerships with the summer study abroad program at the University of San Diego and Santa Clara University.

In addition to these programs, you can earn transferable credit through any ABA-accredited study abroad program. The ABA allows transfer of up to 12 study abroad credits towards a JD at a US law school. 

Finally, students may participate in our student exchange program and study abroad at one of the premier institutions around the world with which we have Memoranda of Understanding.

Should I consider a study abroad program?

Study abroad programs can provide an excellent opportunity to:

• Spend time in a foreign country you might not otherwise have the opportunity to visit
• Learn about a foreign legal system
• Intensively study a particular field of law while immersing yourself in a foreign culture
• Meet and study with students from other law schools
• Enhance your future career by taking a class not otherwise available through your law school

What program should I choose?

Once you get past the fancy webpages with pictures of exotic locales, think about where you want to study and why.  How does a particular study abroad program fit your long term career goals? Do you want to visit a particular country or place because it is relevant to your long term goals?  How will you present this experience to a future employer?

What are other things I should consider before deciding to study abroad?

Do you speak the language of the country?

How fluent are you in the language of the country you want to visit?  Is fluency necessary for this particular program?  How easily will you be able to interact or function when not in class?

How much time can you afford to spend abroad?

Study abroad programs vary in length.  Will you have time for extra travel, before or after your course of study ends?

How much will the program cost?

Are transportation, housing and food costs included in the cost of the program or will you need to budget those items separately?  What incidental costs will you need to factor in?  Should you purchase travel insurance?  If a program is ABA accredited, Financial Aid may be available - check with Student Financial Services.

Is the program ABA accredited?  Will the credits transfer and count toward your degree?

Be sure to check with the Law School Registrar’s Office once you have decided on a program, to make sure the credits from this particular program will transfer.

How can I find study abroad programs?

Many summer programs advertise with brochures and posters on campus, and many schools list abroad programs on their websites.  The American Bar Association Section on Legal Education has a list of ABA accredited summer foreign study programs. listing sponsoring school and geographic location of program.

Does Lewis & Clark Law School offer any semester exchange programs?

The Law School holds Memoranda of Understanding (MOU) that support the exchange of enrolled law students with several premier institutions around the world. Exchanges can be one semester or one year in length.  For information on these programs, visit the International Student Exchange webpage.