University of Houston Law Center
Learning Abroad

The University of Houston Law Center (“UHLC”) is pleased to offer five learning abroad options to JD students. Learning abroad is an incredible opportunity to expand your global awareness and enhance your educational experiences. Students who are interested in participating in a learning abroad opportunity should closely review the information provided on this website and in the Student Handbook.

Students who rank in the top 50% of the class and have completed the first full year of their law studies (31 semester credits), are eligible to participate in a learning abroad program. All required courses (i.e., all first-year courses, Professional Responsibility, experiential course credit hours, and the upper-level writing requirement) must be taken in residence at UHLC.

Credits earned abroad may be used to meet the 90 credit-hour and the 64 graded credit-hour requirements for the JD degree, so long as the student earns at least a “C” grade or its equivalent in each course taken in the learning abroad program. Grades earned at another institution will not be calculated into the UHLC cumulative grade point average. Students can transfer up to 30 credits obtained in a learning abroad program. At the completion of the learning abroad program, the student must submit an official transcript to the Office of Student Affairs (OSA). OSA will complete a credit evaluation and have the eligible credits applied to the student’s UHLC transcript.

Participation in a learning abroad program requires approval from the Assistant Dean for Student Affairs. Students interested in participating in a learning abroad program must complete the following steps:

Gather all pertinent documentation and details related to the study abroad program, including the program description, course information, grading structure, etc.
Complete the Study Abroad petition. The documentation and details obtained vis a vis action item (1) immediately above, should be included with the petition as an addendum.
Submit the petition and relevant documentation to OSA (lawOSA@uh.edu ) for approval.
Once approved, meet with the UHLC’s Financial Aid Office to assess your financial aid needs. Adjustments to financial aid to cover expenses that extend beyond the cost of tuition, fees and other related costs, including travel and living expenses, may be necessary.
Once approved, visit the UH Learning Abroad Office website here and schedule an appointment with a Learning Abroad Academic Advisor. The Learning Abroad Academic Advisor will guide you through completing the advising forms and provide support during your time abroad.

There are five learning abroad options available to UHLC students:

Participate in one of the schools with the North American Consortium on Legal Education - NACLE .
Participate in an ABA-approved Law School Foreign program available through other US law schools.
Create your own independent foreign learn programs in almost any country by working with the UH Learning Abroad Office and then requesting final approval from OSA.
Participate in the International Energy Lawyers Program (IELP) dual degree program in partnership with the University of Calgary Faculty of Law. Students spend two years at each school and take courses that will enable them to apply for admission to bars in the United States and Canada.
Upcoming learning abroad opportunities will feature the latest summer programs available.

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Preparing To Learn Abroad

Here are some considerations when preparing for a semester abroad. This list is intended only as a “starting point” for a process that is necessarily tailored to each individual student.

Personal Checklist

Obtain U.S. Passport – Ensure your passport is valid for at least 6 months after your planned return. Required for all students traveling abroad.

With the Passport for Coogs initiative, current UH students may be eligible to have the cost of their U.S. Passport application reimbursed when they apply for their passport in the Learning Abroad Office.

Obtain visa, if required – Research if a visa is required for the country you will be studying in and apply well in advance of the program start date. The host institution may be able to assist with this step.
Check on any required vaccinations – Countries may require proof of certain vaccinations or health status before permitting entry. Get any required vaccinations or medical clearances in advance. Visit https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel for more information.
Update health information – Collect a complete list of allergies or special health conditions and stock up on prescriptions before travel can prevent unnecessary medical emergencies abroad.
Locate list of English-speaking doctors abroad –Information is available from the International Association for Medical Assistance to Travelers directory at www.iamat.org.
Set up Finances – Set up an international bank account or ensure your current account works abroad. Arrange for credit cards with no foreign transaction fees and alert your current credit cards to the countries you are traveling to and the duration of your stay.
Purchase airline tickets –Plan early by purchasing airline tickets and making hotel reservations (if applicable) can reduce costs.
Consider obtaining an international student ID card – Good for securing discounts on travel, museum or other out-of-pocket costs.
Make list of emergency contacts –Keep on you at all times and provide to people in the United States and at your host institution.
Make photocopies of important documents – Extra copies of the passport, visa, other forms of identification, and important phone numbers and e-mail addresses can be very helpful in emergencies.
Learn about the electrical voltage system for the host country – This determines whether adapters are needed for small electrical appliances.
Understanding Cultural Norms – Research the culture and local customs of the country you are studying in to understand common practices and etiquette; familiarize yourself with basic language phrases.
Current living arrangements – Contact your leasing management at your apartment or consult with the UH Housing Department (if you live on-campus).
Living arrangements abroad – Research accommodations both on and off campus housing options that work best with your budget. The host institution may have on-campus options available to you, or they can recommend budget-friendly off-campus accommodations.
Locate the US Embassy – it is a good idea to find the nearest US Embassy office of the country you will study in and register through the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive safety updates and facilitate contact in case of emergencies.

University of Houston Law Center Learning Abroad

Preparing To Learn Abroad

University of Houston Law Center
Learning Abroad