Study Abroad
Colorado Law sponsors study abroad programs for our law students to help them understand the international community and to prepare them for an increasingly global legal market. These programs seek to provide students with greater understanding of international and comparative law; to offer exposure to the legal, social, political, and cultural environments of the relevant countries; and to enable students to help clients and communities address the increasingly complicated legal demands of our global community and its multiple legal systems.
The current offerings are:
- Bucerius Law School Semester Exchange Program in Hamburg, Germany
- Universidad Pontificia Comillas (ICADE) Semester Exchange Program in Madrid, Spain
- Melbourne Law School Semester Exchange Program in Melbourne, Australia
- University of Alberta Dual Degree Program (Inactive) - this program is currently on hold and not accepting applications
In addition, Colorado Law students may apply to attend any ABA-accredited study abroad program or may work with the Dean's Office to design a custom study abroad program tailored to their specific interests. For further information regarding credit transfers and other curricular concerns, please contact Colorado Law's Director of International Programs, Mr. Jimmy Ilseng, at: jimmy.ilseng@colorado.edu.
For more general information about study abroad at CU-Boulder, please visit the .
Colorado Law Semester Exchange Programs
Bucerius Law School Exchange Program in Hamburg, Germany
The is a fall-semester program available to law students from nearly 30 countries worldwide who have completed two years of law school and wish to broaden and extend their understanding of the forces shaping international, comparative, and domestic law. Program participants work closely with academics and experienced practitioners to gain insight into legal practice and explore current topics within German, European and transnational frameworks.
Courses: are taught in English, and students with proficient German-language skills are welcome to sit in on regular classes taught to Bucerius students in the German LLB program. The program is divided into two sessions, each session extending over six weeks, followed by an exam week. Some courses are offered for the duration of the session or term; others are offered as three- or four-week compact courses. Most courses are worth 2 credits. In these courses, experienced Bucerius and international professors, as well as legal practitioners, bring the world of German, European, and international law and legal practice to international students.
Generally, Colorado Law exchange students can anticipate the completion of 14-15 Colorado Law credits at Bucerius, as Bucerius' course credit system is based on ABA guideline. Students may select as many courses as they want but should consult with Colorado Law regarding the transfer of credits and any additional course load requirements. The acceptance of credit for any course in the program is subject to determination by Colorado Law.
To Apply: For application deadlines and to apply, click . For questions, please contact our Director of International Programs, Mr. Jimmy Ilseng.
Universidad Pontificia Comillas (ICADE) Exchange Program in Madrid, Spain
The is a fall-semester program available to law students from approximately 50 countries worldwide who wish to broaden and extend their understanding of the forces shaping international, comparative, and domestic law. Program participants work closely with academics and experienced practitioners to gain insight into legal practice and explore current topics within Spanish, European and transnational frameworks.
Courses: Colorado Law students have the option of enrolling in regularly offered , which include a mix of courses taught either in Spanish or English, in addition to potentially enrolling in courses in the LLM in International and European Business Law program. Program participants can exclusively enroll in courses taught in English, and Colorado Law students proficient in academic Spanish may also enroll in law courses taught using Spanish as the language of instruction.
The normative semesterly workload at Comillas is 30 ECTS credits, which usually amounts to 14-15 Colorado Law credits. The acceptance of credit for any course in the program is subject to determination by Colorado Law, and students participating in this exchange program will consult with Colorado Law's Director of International Programs regarding the transfer of credits.
To Apply: For application deadlines and to apply, click . For questions, please contact our Director of International Programs, Mr. Jimmy Ilseng.
Melbourne Law School (MLS) Exchange Program in Melbourne, Australia
The Melbourne Law School exchange program is unique in that it offers a true JD-to-JD exchange opportunity in a common law jurisdiction and at a . To date, MLS has just 4 exchange partners in the US and this is a rare opportunity to study at a leading global law school. Program participants can gain comparative common law perpsectives in a variety of areas, including constitutional law, contracts, IP/tech law, indigenous peoples law, energy and environmental law, and more.
NOTE: The Australian academic calendar is different than the typical US academic calendar due to its location in the Southern Hemisphere. Colorado Law students planning to participate in this "fall" program must plan to begin fall semester courses in mid-July and to complete the exchange program in mid-November.
Courses: Colorado Law students have the option of enrolling in regularly offered MLS courses including .
The normative semesterly workload at MLS is 50 Australian credits, which usually amounts to 14 Colorado Law credits. The acceptance of credit for any course in the program is subject to determination by Colorado Law, and students participating in this exchange program will consult with Colorado Law's Director of International Programs regarding anticipated credit conversions.
To Apply: For application deadlines and to apply, click . For questions, please contact our Director of International Programs, Mr. Jimmy Ilseng.
JD/LLB with the University of Alberta Faculty of Law in Edmonton, Canada
This program is currently on hold and not accepting applications
The four-year Juris Doctor/Bachelor of Laws (JD/LLB) offered in cooperation with the , Canada, prepares graduates with the credentials needed to practice law in both Canada and the United States. Colorado Law students study for two years at Colorado Law and two years at the University of Alberta (U of A). The 90-year-old U of A has areas of strength in natural resources law, energy law, constitutional law, health law, business law, jurisprudence, and the law of indigenous peoples. It boasts a collegial atmosphere amongst the 525 students and the faculty of 40-plus professors. In addition, the admission standards for the two law schools are identical.
In North America, foreign trade has become more common for even the smallest business, and a need for lawyers versed in multiple legal systems has emerged. According to the Office of the United States Trade Representative, from 1993 to 2007, trade among the NAFTA nations more than tripled, from $297 billion to $930 billion. Additionally, business investment in the United States has risen by 117 percent since 1993. Law degrees from both countries allow graduates to serve law firm clients conducting transnational business in North America and beyond, offering them a distinct advantage in this job market. National law firms are becoming global firms, representing international securities firms, investment management companies, and other financial institutions on transnational regulatory issues. A lawyer with this dual degree has expertise in cross-border securities, transactional law, commercial law, insurance litigation, subrogation, recovery, immigration law, real estate law, or energy and natural resources law.
Requirements: 89 credit hours are required for the Colorado Law JD degree, with at least 32 credit hours taken in residence at Colorado Law; 92 credit hours are required for the University of Alberta Law LLB degree, with at least 60 credit hours taken in residence at University of Alberta Law. Students must earn a C or better in each course for the course to be acceptable for credit at each school.
To Register: Colorado Law students must apply separately to the LLB Program through its Admissions Office. The application deadline is November 1, and the LSAT is accepted. Students should contact the CU Law Dean's Office to begin the application process.
