The aim of Cardozo's study abroad programs is to offer law students and future lawyers a large variety of international elective courses in their fields of interest, in-depth acquaintance with the intricacies of other legal systems around the world and a new perspective on current global legal issues. Through these programs students learn not only the law, but also new methodological techniques and immerse in new cultures, which will help them prepare as better lawyers in today’s global economy.
Pamela Serota, Senior Director of Graduate and International Programs
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Eligibility and Application
Students may apply to spend a semester abroad during their fourth, fifth or sixth semesters of law school. Students should make every effort to have completed distribution requirements prior to the semester abroad. Before submitting the application for study abroad, students must schedule a meeting with the Dean of Students for verification that all graduation requirements will be met.
Students must have a minimum of a 3.0 GPA in order to be eligible to study abroad.
3Ls planning to study abroad during their final semester of law school are advised to verify that their proposed program will ensure return home in time for graduation and bar certification, which is generally on or around June 1.
The application for study abroad for both the semester exchange programs and for independent study abroad should be completed through the Graduate and International Programs Office.
For exchange programs, the application must be accompanied by a statement of purpose, a current resume or CV, and a letter of recommendation from a Cardozo professor.
For independent study abroad, the application must be accompanied by the Independent Study Abroad Addendum, a current resume or CV, and a letter of recommendation from a Cardozo professor.
Applications to study abroad during a fall semester are due by March 1st; for a spring semester, applications are due by October 15th.
Students should submit complete application materials to the Senior Program Director, Pamela Serota via e-mail pamela.serota@yu.edu. Students are notified if they are approved for study abroad approximately one month later.
Step Four: Returning to Cardozo
Once students return from studying abroad, whether from an exchange program or an independent study abroad, they need to make sure that the foreign program sends an official transcript to Cardozo's Office of the Registrar so their credits can be transferred over from all classes they earned an equivalent of a "C" or better. These study abroad credits come over to their Cardozo transcript as Pass/Fail and do not factor into their Cardozo GPA.
In addition, students returning from study abroad must complete an evaluation form and submit to the Office of Graduate and International Programs and they must meet with the Senior Director of this office to review their educational objectives and whether these were attained.
Independent Study Abroad
In some cases, students may receive permission to study abroad at other institutions through an individual study abroad program. Students must make a compelling case that their educational objectives may be met at the other institution but not at Cardozo.
Students interested in studying abroad in a program not covered by a Cardozo exchange have two options:
- Direct enrollment into the foreign university law school: Students selecting this option must provide certification that the foreign law school is officially recognized in that country as legal education and must seek admission into the foreign law school. Students are responsible for ensuring that the classes will be available and that the foreign calendar works with the Cardozo system. Those interested in this option may begin research into foreign law schools through the Internet Legal Research Group's Guide to Study Abroad by clicking on the region of interest under "Index of All Foreign Law Schools."
- Through an ABA approved semester abroad program coordinated by an American law school: Please note that these programs will be largely composed of other American students and will not be direct enrollment in a foreign law school. Please see the ABA foreign study website for more information.
In the past few years, Cardozo students have arranged independent study abroad programs at the following institutions:
- Fudan University, Shanghai
- Kyiv-Mohyla University, Ukraine
- National University of Singapore
- Tsinghua University, Beijing
- Universidad de Chile, Santiago
- University of Copenhagen, Denmark
- The American University of Cairo
Cardozo students have also studied abroad in ABA-approved programs through:
Students interested in pursuing an independent study abroad opportunity must complete the Independent Study Abroad Addendum (found above) along with the application form, and should make an appointment to see the Office of Graduate and International Programs to discuss their options.
Cardozo Exchange Program Information Sheets
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Cardozo-Amsterdam Program information
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Cardozo-Bar-Ilan Program Information
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Cardozo-Bucerius Program information
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Cardozo CUHK Program Information
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Cardozo-Esade Program information
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Cardozo - Freie University Program Information
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Cardozo-Hebrew University Program Information
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Cardozo-Humboldt University Program Information
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Cardozo Nanterre Program Information
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Cardozo Oxford Program Information
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Cardozo-Palermo Program Information
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Cardozo Peking Exchange Information
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Cardozo - Reichman University Program Information
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Cardozo Rome Program Information
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Cardozo Sydney Program Information
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Cardozo Tel Aviv Program information