Student Initiated Programs for Law Students
Student-Initiated Programs (SIPs) allow KU students to study abroad for a winter break, summer, or semester, and earn KU credit for programs that are not administered by KU Study Abroad & Global Engagement. SIPs expand the types of programs and locations in which Jayhawks can study, intern, or research abroad.
Law students participating in a SIP remain enrolled at KU during the term of their study abroad program and receive KU resident credit for the coursework that they complete abroad. The credits are applied toward the 35-credit elective requirement but grades earned during study abroad will be credit/no credit instead of a letter grade, thus the credits earned abroad do not factor into the KU law GPA or ranking. Continuous enrollment allows for access to state and federal financial aid as well as deferment of loan repayments. Students will work with both KU Study Abroad and their host university or program provider to complete all required paperwork.
Many Jayhawks choose SIP programs and receive application and advising assistance from KU Study Abroad & Global Engagement. SIP students will also receive supports both pre-departure and while abroad, including pre-departure orientation to receive academic, cultural, and safety information, 24-hour emergency assistance with KU Study Abroad, and emergency medical evacuation and repatriation coverage for the study period.
Program Selection
Many law schools have ABA approved study abroad programs in which KU Law students can participate. You can find a list of these programs here.
Students may also explore opportunities outside of an ABA-approved program, however to do so requires special permission from the KU School of Law. This is because law programs in many countries are offered as undergraduate degrees and in some cases exchanges are limited to undergraduate coursework. The KU Law School must evaluate the applicability of any such courses toward the Law degree and approve all courses through the Academic Affairs Committee.
The ABA has criteria for accepting credit for student study at a foreign institution. In sum, the ABA requires that the law school ensure that the content of the foreign studies is such that credit would have been granted toward satisfaction of graduation requirements of the law school. Each student, under the guidance of a faculty advisor, is required to develop a written plan to define the educational objectives the student seeks to achieve during a period of study abroad. The plan shall specify the methods to be used in evaluating the student’s attainment of those objectives. If changes occur, such as a course change or cancellation, the student and the academic advisor shall reexamine the written plan to determine whether the approved foreign study continues to satisfy the stated educational objectives.
Application
Once students have selected a program, they will complete an application through their chosen program provider AND a KU SIP application. It is the student's responsibility to monitor application procedures and deadlines for their chosen program provider, which may differ from KU’s deadlines. The KU SIP application deadlines are as follows:
- Winter Break or Spring Semester programs: October 1
- Summer programs: February 15
- Fall and Academic Year programs: March 15
Post-Acceptance
Students will complete post-acceptance requirements for Study Abroad & Global Engagement and their host organization. Post-acceptance requirements include paperwork for international travel, submission of travel information, and participation in the Study Abroad & Global Engagement mandatory pre-departure orientation, which provides important academic, cultural, and safety information.
Students can study in a wide variety of locations around the world; however, out of concern for student safety and well-being, KU does not sponsor study abroad in locations where a U.S. Department of State Travel Advisory Level 3 or Level 4 has been issued. The classification level applied to each country can be accessed via the U.S. Department of State Website. Information on Level 3 or Level 4 regional designations within a country is available by reading the country-specific advisory. Exceptions to this policy will be considered by petition to the International Travel Review Committee (ITRC). For information on travel to high-risk locations see KU International Travel Policies.
The Law School will determine the credits awarded for all courses completed by students at approved foreign institutions.
Law students studying for the semester may earn up to 15 hours of transfer credit, which are applied toward the 35-credit elective requirement. Courses and grades will be posted as transfer credit on a student's academic transcript and grades earned abroad will not figure into the KU Law GPA. Faculty advisors will assist students in determining how foreign credits “translate” to law school credits. Online resources under Study Abroad also help to explain how the credits translate and offer examples.
Upon completion of the semester abroad, the Law School will review the academic records from the foreign institution and will make the final decision regarding posting of credits and the application of credits earned toward graduation requirements.
Each program provider or host institution will provide students information about housing options for their program. Options typically include residence halls and student apartments. Host families may be an option in select locations.
Students can learn from the program provider or host institution about any cultural activities and/or excursions that might be included or offered to them.
SAGE is dedicated to creating international engagement opportunities that meet the needs of all our students and providing resources to support you through the process of studying abroad. Study abroad is achievable for students of all identities including our BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ students, students with disabilities, and students with religious/non-religious viewpoints. Before selecting a program, consider how your identities may impact your experience abroad in unique ways and talk with your Program Coordinator about any program-specific concerns. Students with documented disabilities should discuss any accommodation needs with their Program Coordinator early in the planning process.
Check our Identity Abroad page and resources listed below for information specific to you and other students who may be on your program.
Students will work with their KU program coordinator to develop a comprehensive budget for their selected program that includes tuition and fees, housing and meals, travel expenses, passport and visa fees, health insurance, a KU SIP fee and other costs associated with participating in the selected program.
The KU SIP fee includes an administrative fee, KU enrollment, KU resident credit and grade posting, access to federal and state financial aid, eligibility for study abroad scholarships, pre-departure orientation, 24-hour emergency contact services, access to the AlertTraveler safety app, and medical insurance and emergency medical evacuation and repatriation services. The KU SIP fee is billed through the KU Enroll & Pay system.
The KU program fee for participation in a Student-Initiated Program is as follows:
- Summer/Short-Term: $580
- Semester: $1,050
- Academic Year: $1,330
All other program related expenses such as host organization fees, tuition, room and board, etc. will be paid directly to the host organization, not through KU.
KU students who qualify for federal financial aid in the form of loans, Pell Grant, and/or SEOG Grants or scholarships may apply the aid to the cost of a SIP.
KU Study Abroad offers individualized financial aid planning and advising and limited KU Study Abroad supplemental scholarships for KU degree-seeking students. Additionally, there are scholarship opportunities through KU departments and others outside KU. For those students who qualify, there are also passport grants and airfare assistance. Read more about these opportunities and schedule a financial aid and scholarship advising appointment on the Costs and Funding page.
Some program providers offer scholarships to students participating on their programs. Information about these scholarships can be found on the program provider’s website.
Passport and Student Visa information
Students who do not have a passport should view the processing times and apply for one immediately. Students with a passport should verify that it is an adult passport (valid for ten years), not a child's passport (valid for five years). Students with a child's passport should either apply for an adult passport or consult with the program coordinator about the expiration date.
KU Study Abroad & Global Engagement has a Passport Center where students can apply for a U.S. passport. Some countries require students to obtain student visas which can take several months to process, depending on the host country.