As a complement to the existing M.C.L./LL.M. Program for foreign lawyers, California Western offers a Certificate Program in Comparative and International Law for lawyers, judges, and legal academics and scholars who are available to visit the U.S. for only one semester.

Requirements to qualify for a Certificate in International and Comparative Law:
1. One (1) required 2-credit course, Introduction to U.S. Law (which includes the legal research and legal writing component)

2. Up to eight (8) additional credit hours (for a total of 10 credits maximum) in qualifying elective courses and seminars (based upon availability) which may include a faculty-supervised scholarly writing/independent study project (up to 3 credit hours) with the program director’s permission

General Requirements and Information:
– Certificate applicants must meet the same general requirements as those applying for the M.C.L./LL.M. program (including a minimum TOEFL of 550/213, application, personal statement, law degree, reference letters, financial support verification, transcripts)

– Students must attend the trimester-long program as full time students (at least 8 credits) in order to be eligible for an F-1 student visa

– Students in the certificate program will receive a Certificate, not a degree

– The certificate program is strictly an on-campus program

– Certificate students may attend either the fall trimester or the spring trimester (not summer)

– Certificate students will be graded on the same scale (and with the same rigorous standards) as those students in the M.C.L./LL.M. program