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Embark on a global legal journey

Washburn Law's international and comparative law program prepares you for a dynamic legal career in an increasingly globalized world. Whether you envision yourself advocating for human rights, navigating international business transactions or shaping public policy on a global stage, our program offers a comprehensive and immersive educational experience to ensure you are practice-ready. Join a diverse and inclusive community where you can expand your understanding of international and foreign legal systems while deepening your grasp of domestic law.

Why choose Washburn Law's international and comparative law program?

A group of law students chat.

At Washburn Law, our International & Comparative Law program stands out for its rigorous curriculum, experienced faculty, and exceptional opportunities for global engagement. Advantages of our program include:

  • Comprehensive curriculum: We offer a diverse range of courses covering key areas such as international business transactions, human rights and public international law. Our curriculum is designed to provide both breadth and depth in international legal education.
  • Expert faculty: Learn from nationally and internationally recognized faculty members who bring practical experience and academic expertise to the classroom. Our professors are dedicated to mentoring students and providing insights into global legal issues.
  • Global opportunities: Engage in study abroad programs, international moot court competitions and externships that provide hands-on experience and a global perspective on legal practice.
  • Inclusive community: Benefit from an inclusive and supportive community committed to your academic and professional growth. We understand the unique challenges faced by  law students and offer resources to help you succeed.
  • Professional network: Connect with accomplished alumni, international legal practitioners and scholars who can provide valuable networking opportunities and career guidance.
A curriculum designed for global legal leaders

Our International & Comparative Law curriculum covers a wide range of subjects, preparing you for various aspects of international legal practice. From public international law to comparative constitutional law, our courses provide you with the knowledge and skills needed to excel in a global legal environment.

After your first year of law school, you can tailor your education to focus on international and comparative law. This focus can be achieved by pursuing a certificate in international and comparative law or by creating a personalized course of study with guidance from our expert faculty.

Earning a certificate in international and comparative law demonstrates your commitment to this focused area of study and equips you with specialized knowledge that enhances your career prospects. The certificate program requires the completion of specific courses, participation in extracurricular events and fulfillment of a writing requirement.

Course of study

Required credit-hour minimum: Students must successfully complete at least 15 credit hours selected from the courses listed below.

Core Courses: Select at least 2 of the following: 
  • Climate Change Crisis and the Law
  • Comparative Constitutional Law OR Comparative Constitutional Law: Rights*
  • International Business Transactions
  • International Human Rights 
  • Law of Armed Conflict 
  • Public International Law
  • Study Abroad: Semester Exchange Program at University of Maastricht, The Netherlands**
  • Study Abroad: Summer Law Program in Barbados**
  • Study Abroad: Summer Law Program in Osaka**

* Students taking both may count one as a Core Course and the other as a Curriculum Course

** Students taking more than one may count one as a Core Course and the other as a Curriculum Course

Core Courses: Select at least 2 of the following:
  • Arbitration 
  • Artificial Intelligence and Law 
  • Climate Change Crisis and the Law
  • Comparative Constitutional Law 
  • Comparative Constitutional Law: Rights 
  • Directed Research 
  • Externship I 
  • Federal Indian Law 
  • Global Intellectual Property Enforcement Law 
  • Immigration Law
  • International Business Transactions 
  • International Civil Litigation in the United States 
  • International Human Rights
  • International Human Rights and Indigenous Peoples 
  • International Intellectual Property Law
  • International Petroleum Transactions
  • Jessup International Moot Court Competition
  • Law of Armed Conflict
  • Mining Law
  • Principles of International and Comparative Taxation 
  • Public International Law 
  • Specialized Legal Research: Foreign and International Law 
  • Study Abroad: Semester Exchange Program at University of Maastricht,
  • The Netherlands 
  • Study Abroad: Summer Law Program in Barbados 
  • Study Abroad: Summer Law Program in Osaka 
  • Tribal Law and Government

Writing requirement

Students complete the upper level writing requirement (or equivalent writing project) on a pre-approved Comparative or International Law topic.

International and comparative law courses fall within three general categories:

  • Core courses
  • Focused and applied courses
  • Courses with elements of international and comparative law

These courses span a wide array of topics, allowing you to delve into specific areas of interest. Detailed descriptions of each of these courses, can be found in the academic catalog.  

Core Courses in International and Comparative Law

  • Public International Law
  • Conflict of Laws
  • Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition
  • Comparative Law: Methods and Theory

Focused and Applied Courses in International and Comparative Law

  • Comparative Constitutional Law
  • Comparative Family Law
  • Global Intellectual Property Enforcement Law
  • International Business Transactions
  • International Intellectual Property
  • International Law of Indigenous Peoples
  • International Taxation
  • Law of Armed Conflict
  • Law and Human Rights
  • Law and Religion
  • Directed Research (if international law focused)
  • Specialized Legal Research: Foreign, Comparative and International Law
  • Study Abroad at Maastricht and/or University of the West Indies, Barbados

Courses with Elements of International Law or Comparative Law

  • Admiralty and Maritime Law
  • Federal Indian Law
  • Immigration Law

Expand your horizons

Study abroad programs at Washburn Law

Participating in study abroad programs offers unparalleled benefits, enhancing your legal education with a global perspective. Our programs in the Caribbean, Asia and the Europe provide immersive experiences in diverse legal systems and cultures. These opportunities not only broaden your understanding of international law but also develop your cultural competency and global network. Studying abroad is a transformative experience that enriches your legal education and prepares you for a career in the global legal landscape.
Support your legal education with extracurricular opportunities

Student organizations

Collaborating with peers and gaining leadership experience are key to your legal education. In the International Law Society, you'll engage in discussions, network with professionals, and build leadership skills in international and comparative law.

Competition teams

The Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition is the world's premier moot court event. Each year, five upper-level Washburn Law students tackle complex international legal issues, competing in regional rounds with the goal of advancing to the international competition in Washington, D.C.

Externships

Gain hands-on experience through externships with organizations focused on international and comparative law. Past placements include:
  • Immigration and Customs Enforcement
  • Collective Brands (Payless and related entities)

International & Comparative Law Center

The International & Comparative Law Center at Washburn Law prepares students for global legal careers through specialized programs, workshops, and lectures with leading experts. It fosters excellence in international law, connects students with professionals, and supports faculty research and interdisciplinary collaboration on global legal challenges.

Learn more about our J.D. program

Apply to Washburn Law's J.D. degree program today and transform your passion for law into a rewarding career.