The ABA Accreditation Committee's interest in reviewing foreign summer programs has been reiterated by other accrediting bodies. The Commission on Higher Education of the Middle State Association of Colleges and Schools has evaluated foreign study programs of its accredited institutions since 1981. In 1985, the Executive Committee of the Council on Postsecondary Accreditation asked the COPA staff to study the status of, and issues involved in, the accreditation of institutions and programs outside the United States. Students currently enrolled at an ABA approved law school who desire to receive credit toward their J.D. degree for studies in a foreign program should read carefully the applicable criteria for their course of study. Typically, these programs are only open to students who have successfully completed their first year of study and are enrolled in an ABA approved law school.
Students have four options to earn credit for foreign study.
In 1979, only 18 ABA approved law schools offered a total of 28 summer programs for credit outside the United States. By contrast, in 1997, there were 136 approved foreign summer programs, of which 120 operated, with students studying in 39 countries. A total of 67 ABA approved law schools were represented.