Students interested in a semester abroad should begin planning with CGLP during their rising 2L summer.  Students travel on a semester abroad during their 3L fall.

Law Students can do two different experiences to complete a semester abroad: semester long exchange (studying Law at a University Abroad) or semester long externships (these can be as long as 6 months, if combined with summer). 

The application process varies depending on which type of semester abroad you are seeking to complete.

Semester Externship

You can complete a semester long externship almost anywhere in the world!  Find your own international externship opportunity, work with CGLP to identify a faculty member with connections in your field of interest, or extend an externship found by CGLP during one of our summer abroad programs into a full semester length stay.

Semester Exchange

Applying for Semester Exchange is a 4-step process.

1. Summer Before 2L - Meet with CGLP
2. 2L Fall - Complete online application when includes meeting with on-campus offices to finalize application and confirming academic readiness
3. 3L Spring - Complete partner institution's application
4. 3L Spring / Summer - Complete visa application and other administrative processes for travel including a mandatory orientation session

Participation in a semester-long study abroad program as a J.D. student requires a significant level of academic planning, navigational capital, and professional discernment. Semester Abroad programs are distinct from both summer abroad offerings and undergraduate study abroad experiences in their academic rigor, curricular integration, and implications for degree progress and bar eligibility. Accordingly, semester abroad study is generally appropriate for students who anticipate a sustained professional trajectory abroad or who seek a deep comparative legal education experience.

The purpose of the requirements set forth below is to ensure that participating students remain on track for timely graduation and bar passage while engaging in academic study outside the United States. As part of the planning and application process, the Center for Global Law and Policy (CGLP) requires students to consult with designated university offices, including the Office of Academic and Bar Success (OABS), and strongly encourages students to engage in careful consideration of additional logistical, academic, and professional factors associated with spending a semester abroad.

Additionally, there are requirements for eligibility to study abroad.  At the start of your Semester Abroad, you must:

• Be a matriculated, degree-seeking J.D. students at Santa Clara University
• Be an upper division student in good standing
• Have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0* and no grade lower than a “C+” in any course.
• Meet the cumulative GPA requirement of your specific program, if higher than Santa Clara University’s cumulative GPA requirement.
• Have completed the mandatory pre-departure orientation.

In addition to the eligibility requirements:

Students who earn a grade of D or F in any course in the term preceding their program may become ineligible for their program.  

* In exceptional circumstances, students may request an exception to Santa Clara Law’s 3.0 cumulative GPA requirement. Examples of circumstances that may be considered include, but are not limited to: an otherwise strong academic record with a single outlier course grade in a particularly challenging doctrinal course, extensive prior experience living abroad before enrollment at Santa Clara Law coupled with clear post-graduation plans to work or reside abroad, or other compelling and exceptional factors.

Requests for exceptions must be submitted in writing to cglp@scu.edu  and will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Approval of an exception is not guaranteed.

Semester Exchange Partners

Explore the Universities that you can experience for a semester.