Semester Abroad

Southwestern believes in providing a quality legal education by participating in and promoting exchange programs with schools outside of the United States. The law school also understands the importance of the Canada-U.S.-Mexico relationship in this world of globalization and encourages its students to do the same.

As a member of the North American Consortium on Legal Education (NACLE), Southwestern students have the opportunity to study abroad for a semester in Mexico or Canada at a member school for the same cost as tuition they would pay for classes on campus.

In 2014-2015, Southwestern hosted one exchange student from The University of Ottawa. No Southwestern students participated in the exchange this year.

Canada

• McGill University (Montreal, Quebec)
  • ABA Disclosures (PDF)
• The University of Dalhousie (Halifax, Nova Scotia)
  • ABA Disclosures (PDF)
• The University of British Columbia (Vancouver, British Columbia)
  • ABA Disclosures (PDF)
• The University of Ottawa (Ottawa, Ontario)
  • ABA Disclosures (PDF)

Mexico

• ITESM, Monterrey Tech (Monterrey, Nuevo Leon)
  • ABA Disclosures (PDF)
• Universidad Panamericana (Mexico City)
  • ABA Disclosures (PDF)
• The Instituto de Investigaciones Juridicas, UNAM (Mexico City)
  • ABA Disclosures (PDF)
• Centro de Investigación y Docencia Económicas (CIDE) (Mexico City)
  • ABA Disclosures (PDF)

For information about traveling to and within Canada, visit the United States Department of State website.

For information about traveling to and within Mexico visit the United States Department of State website.

If, prior to the commencement of the program, a U.S. State Department Travel Warning or Alert is issued for Canada or Mexico, all registrants will be notified promptly of the warning and be given an opportunity to withdraw from the program. If, during the course of the program, a U.S. State Department Travel Warning or Alert is issued for Canada or Mexico, students will be notified promptly of the warning and given an opportunity to withdraw from the program. In the event that students withdraw from the program as permitted in these criteria during the course of the program, or if the program is terminated, students will be refunded fees paid except for room and board payments utilized prior to the date of withdrawal or termination.

For more information, visit the NACLE.org or contact Southwestern's Student Exchange Program.

Southwestern has formally established an exchange program with The Hague University of Applied Sciences. This program allows two Southwestern students to attend The Hague Law School for up to one year of study, with credits earned there counting toward completion of their J.D. degree from Southwestern.

The Hague Law School is part of The Hague University, located in perhaps the most important center for international law in the world. The Hague is home to 150 international organizations, including the International Criminal Court, the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia, the Iran-United States Claims Tribunal, the Hague Conference on Private International Law, the Permanent Court of Arbitration (the oldest institution for international dispute resolution), and the International Court of Justice, among many others. The Hague Law School features many courses that capitalize on their unique location, including courses such as: Crimes of an International Character, Crimes Against Humanity and Genocide, International Humanitarian Law, The International Criminal Tribunals for the former Yugoslavia and for Rwanda, Introduction to European Union Law, European Private Law, European Union Immigration Law, and many others. In 2014-2015, Southwestern hosted 3 exchange students from The Hague. No Southwestern students participated in the exchange this year.

• ABA Required Disclosures (PDF)
• Fact Sheet (PDF)
• Accessibility for Disabled (PDF)

The Hague Law School is on a calendar that is different from that typical of US law schools. The Fall Semester begins in late July and ends in mid-January. The Spring Semester begins in early February and ends in mid-July. Due to the nature of the academic calendar at The Hague, most Southwestern students find that studying during the Spring Semester best fits their academic schedule. All courses are taught in English.

Tuition for the program is paid to Southwestern. Students who anticipate a need for financial aid while in the Netherlands should contact Southwestern's Financial Aid Office.

For information about traveling to and within the Netherlands, visit the United States Department of State website . If, prior to the commencement of the program, a U.S. State Department Travel Warning or Alert is issued for the Netherlands, all registrants will be notified promptly of the warning and be given an opportunity to withdraw from the program. If, during the course of the program, a U.S. State Department Travel Warning or Alert is issued for the Netherlands, students will be notified promptly of the warning and given an opportunity to withdraw from the program. In the event that students withdraw from the program as permitted in these criteria during the course of the program, or if the program is terminated, students will be refunded fees paid except for room and board payments utilized prior to the date of withdrawal or termination.