Consistent with the law school’s long-standing commitment to international and comparative law and its unique foundation in both civil and common law traditions, the Tulane Law not only permits but actively encourages J.D. students to engage in academic study at foreign institutions, either through exchange programs or summer abroad programs, or both.
The educational objective of granting credit for such study is to provide students with first-hand exposure to foreign legal systems, practices, and cultures. The law school recognizes that immersive, direct experience with international legal frameworks enhances students’ analytical abilities, cultural competence, and professional identity formation—qualities essential for effective lawyering in an increasingly globalized legal environment. By cultivating lawyers trained to navigate multiple legal systems, The law school advances its mission of producing graduates prepared to meet the growing demand for globally educated attorneys.
Tulane Study Abroad
Tulane Law School's summer abroad programs underscore Tulane's commitment to international and comparative law. Over the past 20 years, Tulane's international summer programs have brought Tulane students and those from more than 150 other law schools together with professors from Tulane and dozens of other law schools from the United States and abroad. Faculty in our summer programs also include prominent state and federal court judges. U.S. Supreme Court members have over the years participated in our program, including former Justices William Rehnquist, Harry Blackmun, Antonin Scalia, Stephen Breyer and Ruth Bader Ginsburg. In 2016, Tulane hosted Justice Samuel Alito at both the Paris and Berlin summer programs.
Our summer programs consist of sessions that range from two weeks to one month in length. You can find more information about this year's summer programs on the Tulane Summer Abroad Program page.
International Exchange Programs
Tulane Law maintains international exchange programs with universities around the world to develop firsthand experience with foreign procedures, laws, practice, education and culture.
In most cases, Tulane students spend one semester at the international exchange partner university, receiving 12 to 14 credits toward the Tulane J.D. for successful completion of the semester's work. Law students from the exchange-partner universities also have the opportunity to spend one or two semesters at Tulane Law School. Please also see our Exchange Programs page for detailed information on our various exchange partners and more in-depth descriptions of what the programs entail.
You can find more information on the International Exchange Programs page.
