Study Abroad Academic Information
Eligibility
Students who have satisfactorily completed one year of full-time or part-time study at an ABA and AALS accredited U.S. or Canadian law school are eligible to enroll for credit. Students of the host institution and members of the bar, may be admitted or may audit classes by permission of the director.
Credits and Grades
The summer law programs are offered as part of the fully accredited curriculum of the University of San Francisco School of Law. Grades for courses will be given on the traditional A–F 4.3 scale. Participating students are responsible for securing approval from their own law school to transfer credit, as acceptance of any credit or grade for any course taken in the program is subject to determination by the student's home school. All courses comply with ABA and AALS requirements and are taught in English.
It is unlikely that participation in a foreign summer program may be used to accelerate graduation, and students interested in acceleration should consult their own law school on this issue. USF full-time students may not graduate earlier by attending the summer program nor may switch to the part-time division in their final year.
Final Examinations
All courses will have final examinations administered at the end of the course; typically there is one reading day at the end of the course; with the examination administered the following day. All final examinations will be graded anonymously and will be conducted as in-class examinations. Students must take their exams at the designated times. There is no laptop option for examinees; tests must be handwritten. (See possible exceptions for ADA in Computer Use). Faculty must turn in grades three weeks after the completion of the examination.
Computer Use
We do not encourage or discourage bringing laptops abroad; however we do highly recommend that students purchase travel insurance. Due to administrative limitations at foreign sites, students are not permitted to use computers/laptops for examinations. Exceptions may be made for students whose ADA accommodation requires the use of a laptop. A computer lab is available at each program site but may have restricted hours. Dorms do not necessarily have wireless capabilities.
Students with Disabilities
None of the foreign locations provides amenities (curb cuts, ramps, etc.) for physically handicapped persons. Applicants who are physically handicapped should contact the summer abroad coordinator at (415) 422-6280 to discuss specific accommodations. Students who require a classroom or exam accommodation must contact the summer abroad coordinator promptly. Notice of an accomodation and proper documentation must be received by USF Summer Abroad Program as soon as possible but no later than April 16, 2012.
How to Apply
The application form is available on this website /law/docs/abroad. Please download and submit by mail to the address below.
University of San Francisco School of Law
Summer Law Programs Abroad
2130 Fulton Street
San Francisco, CA 94117-1080
Upon acceptance into the program, each applicant must submit a letter of good standing from his or her current law school and execute a liability release (the letter of good standing and the liability release must be returned within a week after the student has been accepted into the program). Applicants are responsible for informing USF of changes in mailing address, telephone number, or email address. After acceptance into the program, a USF email account and a USF ID number will be issued. You must activate your USF email promptly, as it will be the method of communication between you and USF. The student ID number will be used to identify all submitted exams. If you forget your USF ID number, please contact Marie Melvin at lawsummerabroad@usfca.edu to get your number.