Summer Study Abroad Program in the Alps
In 2023, St. Mary’s University and its European partner, the University of Innsbruck, will mark the 36th year of the St. Mary’s Institute on World Legal Problems in Innsbruck, Austria. The dates for 2023 are July 3 – Aug.4.
Since 1986, students from more than 130 American law schools and several European and Asian law schools have participated in the Institute, whose courses are conducted in English. One of the longest continuously operated summer law study programs offered by any American law school, the Institute continues in its commitment to offer a First-Class International Law Education in a World-Class Location.

Students in good standing at any ABA- or state-approved law school are eligible to enroll.

Studying Law Abroad
Students have the opportunity to converse with foreign scholars and Austrian lawyers on several occasions. Austrian students will participate in classes, off-campus visits, and social events, along with their American colleagues.
Browse through photos and videos of places Innsbruck students have visited on day trips, find updated information, and learn more:
ABA ACCREDITATION
SIZE OF ENROLLMENT
FOREIGN STUDENTS
PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES
FACILITIES AND CONTACT
FACULTY AND ADMINISTRATION
Summer Program Tuition and Costs
The tuition in Innsbruck is the same as at the home campus of St. Mary’s University, which currently is $1428. per credit. There are no special fees, but students must purchase any books required for their courses.
In addition to tuition, students must pay for transportation, housing, and living expenses. Last summer most students found that a round-trip flight from the United States to a major European city cost about $1,200 to $1,800. Many students purchase a Eurail pass to enable them to travel by train. Some persons spend considerably less for rail travel, and others more.
SUMMER STUDY ABROAD SCHOLARSHIP
MORE DETAILS
Course Information
The American Bar Association requires every law school to state that “it is unlikely that participation in foreign summer programs may be used to accelerate graduation.” Students interested in acceleration must explore that issue with their home institutions in light of ABA Standard 304.
Classes meet Monday through midday Thursday. This schedule allows students time to travel on weekends to such destinations as Rome, Paris, the French Riviera, Venice, Vienna, Zurich, Munich, Prague, and Budapest.
Class Times
FIRST SESSION
SECOND SESSION
Class List
ART AND ANTIQUITIES LAW
INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS TRANSACTIONS
INTERNATIONAL CHILD ABDUCTION LAW
INTERNATIONAL REFUGEE LAW
LAWYERING ABROAD
Student Performance
Regular class attendance is required. A student who misses more than one-fourth of the scheduled class meetings is automatically withdrawn from the course, and grades may be reduced for excessive absences. The grade in each course is based upon a final examination or paper. A portion of the final grade (not exceeding more than one-third of a letter-grade level) may be based on class participation, if the professor indicated on the syllabus. The grading scale is: A, A-, B+, B, B-, C+, C, C-, D, and F. Academic regulations are set forth in the Law School’s Student Handbook.
Request Information
Please fill out this form to request more information about studying law in Europe this summer.
Apply to the Innsbruck Program
The recommended application deadline for 2023 is TBD.