5
Special Interest Areas
International Law Programs
The SCU international law curriculum is rich in public, private, and comparative law offerings. The School of Law faculty includes some of the best international law scholars in the field.
Center for Global Law and Policy
The Center for Global Law and Policy (CGLP) provides the direction for international and comparative law study and scholarship at SCU. CGLP administers the LL.M. in United States Law degree program that is open to non-U.S. lawyers, the LL.M. in International and Comparative Law degree program, and the semester- and summer-abroad programs that enable students to study international law under world-renowned scholars, side by side with students from around the world. Details on these and other CGLP resources follow.
Summer Abroad program
This program allows law students to spend all or a portion of a summer session studying law abroad, with opportunities to work as interns in many countries. All programs are taught in English and approved by the American Bar Association (ABA).
Overseas summer courses are open to students who have completed one year of full- or part-time study at the School of Law and whose cumulative grade point average (GPA) at the end of the immediately preceding academic period is at least 2.33. Students seeking placement in internship programs must also have a letter of recommendation from their law instructor. For more details, see www.scu.edu/law/international/summer_abroad.html.
Semester Abroad program
This program enables a limited number of qualifying students to take a semester of law studies abroad at one of the selected universities with which the School of Law has a reciprocal agreement. The following rules govern the student-exchange programs available worldwide. For more details, see www.scu.edu/law/international/semester_abroad.html.
1. Eligibility of SCU law students
Subject to the application and approval process described below, students who have successfully completed three semesters of full-time law studies (or the equivalent amount and type of part-time law studies), with a cumulative GPA of at least 3.30 and no grade lower than a C+ in any course, are eligible to earn academic credit toward the J.D. degree for approved studies at a foreign law school participating in the exchange program. Before applying to attend a designated foreign school, students enrolled in or contemplating enrollment in the SCU joint J.D./MBA degree program should consult with the relevant faculty advisor to determine whether or to what extent credit earned at a foreign school would count toward the joint degree
2. Application by SCU law students
Eligible students who wish to earn academic credit for studies at a designated foreign law school shall formulate a plan of foreign study that
a. Identifies the foreign school and either the specific courses or the general type of courses in which the student wishes to enroll
b. Reflects consultation with the administrator and with a representative of the foreign school concerning the school's requirements and enrollment timetable
c. Reflects consultation with the senior assistant dean for student services concerning the satisfaction of residency requirements, the possibility of obtaining honors at graduation, or other matters that the assistant dean believes appropriate
d. Reflects consultation with appropriate persons concerning the scope and availability of any financial aid that may be necessary to fund the studies abroad
e. Reflects consultation with appropriate faculty concerning the extent to which foreign study may be counted toward the requirements of any specialty certificate the student wishes to obtain
The student shall then complete an application form available from the Law Records Office that
a. Describes the student's plan
b. Identifies the student's relevant foreign-language proficiency, if required
c. Describes the relationship between the program of foreign study and the student's academic interests or career objectives
d. Discusses any other matters bearing on the educational value of the foreign study for the student
Thereafter, the administrator shall review the application, together with the student's law school transcript, and determine whether to approve the application. Timely consideration of and action on an application is not guaranteed unless the application is submitted by September 1 for proposed foreign study during the ensuing spring semester, or by April 1 for proposed foreign study during the ensuing fall semester.
The administrator shall base approval or disapproval of the application on assessment of
a. The student's law school academic record and co-curricular activities
b. The SCU law classes, if any, in which the student intends to enroll upon return
c. The nature and number of the classes at the foreign law school in which the student intends to enroll
d. The relationship between the classes at the foreign school and the student's demonstrated interests or career objectives
e. Any other factors the administrator deems reasonably appropriate in evaluating the suitability of the foreign study
The administrator may place appropriate conditions on the foreign study, such as requiring or precluding enrollment in particular classes at the foreign law school or thereafter at SCU.
Because approval by the administrator is not automatic, students should not make binding financial or other commitments (e.g., purchase of non-refundable airline tickets) prior to approval by the administrator.
3. Approval of law students from foreign law schools
Students from foreign law schools shall secure prior approval from the administrator before enrolling in SCU law classes. This approval shall be in lieu of admission through the normal admissions process. The administrator shall approve admission of a student from a foreign school if (a) the student has a satisfactory score on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) exam, and (b) the student's proposed course of study is not likely to impair the ability of the SCU School of Law to satisfy the enrollment desires of its J.D. or LL.M students. Timely consideration of and action on a foreign student's application is not guaranteed unless the application is submitted by September 1 for proposed study during the ensuing spring semester, or by April 1 for proposed study during the ensuing fall semester.
4. Length of study
Except in cases approved by the administrator for good cause shown, SCU law students may attend a foreign law school for only one semester or for a roughly comparable academic period, and students from foreign law schools may attend the SCU law school for only one semester.
5. Credit and grades
An SCU law student shall earn up to 12 units of academic credit, with the grade of CR upon successful completion of all classes in a program of study at a foreign law school that has been approved by the administrator. Successful completion shall be (a) measured by the standards generally applied by the foreign school to its own students and (b) verified through appropriate documents transmitted directly to the SCU Law Records Office by the appropriate officials of the foreign school. If the SCU law student does not successfully complete the entire program of study, the grade of NC will be entered for 12 units of academic credit, unless the administrator determines upon appropriate student petition to award a grade of CR for at least some units.
The foreign law school shall determine the amount and nature of academic credit for classes taken at the SCU law school by students from the foreign school. Foreign law students shall be evaluated by the SCU law school faculty through the same mechanisms as used for other students enrolled in the same class (e.g., exam, paper, participation); however, faculty shall evaluate and grade the foreign student's work separately from the work of other students, taking appropriate account of the foreign student's language ability and educational background. Grades received by foreign law students in a course subject to the mandatory grade curve shall not be counted in any part of the curve.
6. Tuition and other expenses
For approved studies at a foreign law school, SCU law students shall pay tuition to SCU for 12 units, in accordance with the per-unit tuition charges of the SCU School of Law, for the period of their attendance at the foreign school. Students are not charged tuition for their work abroad by the receiving institution, but they are responsible for all other costs associated with study abroad, including books and supplies, room and board, transportation, and incidental expenses.
Students from collaborating foreign law schools shall be admitted to the SCU School of Law and enrolled in classes without payment of tuition to SCU or the School of Law, but, likewise, they do not receive subsidy for other costs associated with their studies.
Faculty exchange
CGLP has both formal and informal arrangements for faculty exchange with universities in Asia, Europe, and South America. Although these arrangements do not directly affect law students, they do have a profound effect on the international perspectives offered to law students. Most every semester, the SCU School of Law hosts at least one foreign faculty member to teach a substantive law course.
Visiting scholars
CGLP has programs for visiting judges, academics, and practitioners from around the world to come to the SCU School of Law to conduct legal research. Such visiting scholars typically audit SCU law courses, bringing a unique international perspective on the differences in the practice and study of law outside the U.S. Visiting scholars provide a tremendous resource for students interested in foreign laws.
International Law Certificate
The International Law Certificate (ILC) is intended for law students interested in pursuing careers in the growing practice area of international law. Businesses increasingly compete in global markets, and investment opportunities have opened in many previously closed countries. Even areas of law traditionally local or regional have taken on an international dimension. The ILC course of study prepares students to address these complex legal issues.
The ILC is available only to matriculated SCU J.D. students. Courses taken at other universities or institutions do not count toward the ILC. Students who successfully complete each of the following requirements will qualify for an ILC.
1. Core course requirements
Students must successfully complete a minimum of 12 units total, including International Law (215) and at least one of the following courses:
- 216. International Business Transactions
- 217. Regulation of International Business Transactions
The remaining required 6 units must be taken from the list of Approved International Law Certificate Courses (see www.scu.edu/law/international/international_certificate.html) and successfully completed.
2. Minimum GPA and mandatory grades
Students must achieve a minimum grade of a B- for any course counting toward the ILC. In addition, the overall GPA in courses and Summer Abroad counting toward the ILC must be a B or higher. All work must be taken for a grade.
3. Writing requirement
Students must complete a substantive research paper that identifies and analyzes a relevant issue or cutting-edge problem related to international law. The purpose of the paper is to demonstrate the student’s ability to identify, thoroughly analyze, and write about a relevant substantive legal issue or problem. The topic should be sufficiently broad in scope, contain a thorough analysis and/or critique of the subject, and propose a practical and/or theoretical resolution of the issue. Students may meet the writing requirement in one of three ways:
a. Complete an original piece of writing on a current topic approved by and under the supervision of a full-time faculty member. Students may have adjunct faculty supervisors only with prior approval of the assistant dean for international and comparative law. Students may use a comment or article written for one of Santa Clara’s Legal Journals, but the paper must independently be reviewed and signed off by a full-time faculty member. Submission to or acceptance of a comment or article to or by any SCU journal does not automatically satisfy the writing requirement for the ILC.
b. Complete a brief for the Jessup International Law Moot Court competition. The brief must be approved by the faculty advisor to the competition.
c. Receive a grade of B- or higher (or equivalent) for a substantive paper that has been or will be used as a method of evaluation in an ILC-approved course. Students who seek to satisfy the writing requirement in this manner must obtain the approval and signature of the course professor on the ILC application form. In special circumstances, papers written for classes that are not ILC-approved may be considered provided that the overall content of the paper is grounded in international law, meets all other substantive requirements, and is approved by both the course professor and the assistant dean for international and comparative law.
All papers submitted for the ILC must be a minimum of 20 pages in length and must consist of substantive legal analysis. Papers that will not qualify include outlines, agreements, memoranda, and letters. A brief or motion may qualify only if it (a) is entirely original to the student (i.e., no sections were written or significantly edited by any other person), (b) was drafted specifically for a course at the SCU School of Law or for a national or regional moot court or trial competition, and (c) it otherwise satisfies the requirements for the ILC paper. Edits made under the direction or suggestion of an SCU professor during the paper review process are acceptable and do not conflict with the originality requirement. Students who have questions regarding whether a paper will qualify for the ILC should contact the assistant dean for international and comparative law.
All papers submitted for the ILC must conform to the following formatting. Any paper not in compliance, even if signed off by faculty, will be returned to the student, and issuance of the ILC will be delayed until the formatting requirements are satisfied.
- Single-sided print on white paper
- Standard 1-inch margins
- Standard 10- to 12-point font
- Table of contents
- Footnotes (preferred)
- Title page containing:
1. Title of the paper
2. Full legal name of author
3. Date of submission
4. Course name (if applicable)
5. Name of approving professor
Prior to graduation, students must submit to the CGLP one clean (unmarked) hard copy and one electronic (Word) copy of the approved paper, an original library release form (completed and signed), and an original certificate of originality (completed and signed).
Heafey Law Library maintains a collection of the writing projects. To review ILC research papers from previous years, visit the library and request reserve materials.
4. Summer Abroad requirement
Students desiring an ILC must complete one of the Summer Abroad programs administered by SCU School of Law. Summer Abroad programs administrated by any school other than SCU School of Law will not satisfy this requirement. If International Law, International Business Transactions, or Regulation of International Business Transactions is offered for three semester units or more of credit at a SCU School of Law study abroad program, the course(s) will satisfy the core course requirement. The units, however, do not count toward the 12 units required for the ILC. In such case, all 12 required units must be taken from the list of approved ILC courses. For example, if a student were to take International Law (3-units) on the Oxford program, the student need not take International Law again; however, the student must still take 12 units from the approved ILC courses, including either International Business Transactions or Regulation of International Business Transactions. Specific questions regarding the SCU study abroad programs should be directed to the CGLP.
5. Transfer units
All academic work must be taken at the SCU School of Law, including at a School of Law administered Summer Abroad session, unless prior approval is granted by the assistant dean for international and comparative law. Approved credit from other institutions may be applied toward the ILC only if the student earned a grade of B- or higher, and those credits applied from other institutions will be transferred only as credit for purposes of calculating the ILC GPA.
6. Applications
To be eligible for the ILC, students must submit an Application for Award to the CGLP. Applications are available at the CGLP or at http://www.scu.edu/law/international/international_certificate.html.
CGLP will not accept applications until a student’s last semester, when the requirements for the ILC essentially are completed. Typically, applications are due two months prior to the end of the fall or spring semester, as applicable. Students graduating in July must comply with the deadlines applicable to spring graduates unless alternate arrangements have been made with the assistant dean for international and comparative law. See http://www.scu.edu/law/international/international_certificate.html for application deadlines.
It is expected that ILC applications will be incomplete when submitted, pending receipt and confirmation of final grades. The writing requirement, along with all approvals and other requirements must be satisfied and submitted prior to graduation.
Applications submitted to the CGLP after the stated deadlines will be accepted only upon written petition to and approval from the center director or the assistant dean for international and comparative law. Students who submit late applications will not be listed as qualifying for the ILC on graduation materials. Students are solely responsible for meeting these deadlines.
It is the responsibility of the student to see that all requirements are satisfied and all approval signatures are obtained to receive the ILC. Additionally, there is no "candidacy" for this Certificate. Therefore, it is not acceptable to indicate candidacy for a Certificate on a resume. However, students may indicate that they are pursuing a Certificate or intending to complete the requirements for a Certificate.
Students may only obtain one of the following certificates. Students must elect whether to obtain the:
- International Law Certificate
- High Tech Law Certificate
- International High Tech Law Certificate
- Public Interest and Social Justice Law Certificate
International Law Moot Court competitions
CGLP administers and supports students who choose to participate in one of several international moot court competitions. Competitions in which students have participated include:
- Philip C. Jessup International Moot Court
- Niagara Cup International Law Moot Court
- Manfred Lachs Space Law Moot Court
- Concours Jean-Pictet
- Gray’s Inn
LL.M. degree programs
In addition to administering J.D. curriculum and programs, CGLP administers master’s degree programs in international law, including the LL.M. in International and Comparative Law for U.S. attorneys, and the LL.M. degree in United States Law for foreign attorneys. For more information, see Chapter 3.
For more information
- School of Law, Center for Global Law and Policy: www.scu.edu/law/international
- Loyola Hall, Room 106
- cglp@scu.edu or 408-551-1955
- Director: Professor Mack Player
- Executive director: Assistant Dean Elizabeth Powers
- Program manager: Elizabeth Barrón Silva
- Events planner: Galina Pappu
