The Foundations of U.S. Law & Practice
Create your comparative advantage with our 3-week Certificate Summer Program (June 21, 2027 - July 9, 2027)
The Foundations of U.S. Law & Practice program is designed to enhance your profile by advancing your legal English skills and gaining comprehensive knowledge of the U.S. legal systems, dispute resolution, business, and corporate law. You'll build confidence and lawyering skills sought after by employers while learning from Moritz College of Law’s esteemed faculty experts, alongside judges and practitioners from federal courts and law firms in Columbus, Ohio.
This is a non-degree, non-credit-bearing program; participants do not receive course credit or a degree. There is no final exam; participants will receive a Certificate of Completion for any or all of the weeks in which they participate.
We reserve the right to cancel this program in compelling circumstances that prevent the program from being held (such as low enrollment, health and safety emergencies, and other intervening events). All fees will be immediately returned in the event of cancellation.
What will you learn?
During 3 weeks, you will learn:
- Foundation of U.S legal systems, legal research and writing, and English for lawyers.
- Key legal concepts in the fields of dispute resolution, business law, and corporate law.
- Practical skills such as issue spotting, negotiation, client advice, legal document drafting, and dispute resolution skills.
Who should attend?
- International or domestic students at the undergraduate and graduate level: gain first-hand experience with U.S. law school teaching style and culture; and earn a certificate.
- LLM prospective students: experience Master-style classes, and gain advanced preparation for your LLM studies in the future
- International lawyers, judges, and legal practitioners: deepen your expertise; expand your network; and earn a certificate.
Where will the program take place?
The program is held at the Moritz College of Law located in Columbus, the state capital of Ohio. The city boasts a vibrant city life and is home to the Ohio Supreme Court, Government, and Legislature. Explore Columbus here.
Who will you interact with?
- Full-time and adjunct faculty members at the Moritz College of Law, including leading experts in the area of their teaching, federal judges, and attorneys from Columbus law firms.
- From pre‑law students to international law students, law graduates, and legal professionals.
What out-of-class activities does the program offer?
Besides classroom hours between 9:00am - 3:15pm each day, the program also creates fun activities for you, including networking events, courthouse and law firm visits, tours of the Ohio State campus, and a certificate ceremony.
Contact Us
Student Experience
Kerly Cristina Nave dos Santos is a labor judge from Brazil who participated in the Moritz College of Law Foundations of U.S. Law & Practice Summer Program.
"I waited for three long years during the pandemic before coming to Moritz College of Law. But this year, I finally got to come. For three weeks, I lived at this magical university, and I got a taste of American law from incredible professors. I am a labor judge in Brazil, and my focus is alternative dispute resolution. The class about this was incredible; the professors were all highly educated with a practical and theoretical method that made the classes extremely entrancing. We visited some state and federal courts, watched trials and were welcomed by the judges."
Program Dates, Costs, and Payment
Summer 2027 program dates will be releases on August 1, 2026.
- Week 1: (Foundations of U.S. Law)
- Week 2: (Business and Corporate Law)
- Week 3: (Dispute Resolution)
The program fee is $1,000 for one week, $2,000 for two weeks, or $2,600 for all three weeks.
The program fees include site visits, outings and transportation to these events as noted on the agenda. The program fees DO NOT include:
- Transportation (to and from Columbus; to and from airports; and transportation within the city with exception of program outings)
- Lodging and most meals
- Personal expenses
- Optional social activities recommended by International & Graduate Affairs staff
- Optional guest pass to use the recreational facilities at Ohio State
Additional Information
Registrations are accepted and considered on a rolling basis. Registration is closed for summer 2026.
We reserve the right to cancel this program in compelling circumstances that prevent the program from being held. All fees will be immediately returned in the event of cancellation.
Registration Process:
- Complete online registration form.
- A $150 deposit by credit card is required at the time of registration. The deposit will be applied towards the total program fee. Upload to the online registration form the following documents:
- a Resume/CV (required)
- For international law students and international law graduates: English scores are NOT required; however please upload to the online registration form any English scores you have.
- If you do not have an English score, we will interview you to determine your English level.
- U.S permanent residents and citizens, or applicants whose first law degree or any other post-secondary degree was or is in English, are deemed to have sufficient level of English to participate in this program.
- Gain broad exposure to the basic legal principles of U.S. law, international law and transnational law, as well as to the U.S. legal profession within just 3 weeks.
- Earn a certificate: You will receive a certificate of completion for each week you attend to share with prospective employers and your professional network.
- Flexibility: You can choose to study for 1 week, 2 weeks, or all 3 weeks. In offering a flexible program, we cater to your interest in focusing on a specialized topic or in gaining knowledge in various topics at the same time.
- Set yourself up for success: With the knowledge and lawyering skills you gain from this program, you will be able to demonstrate to employers that you’re growth-driven, hardworking, and have valuable skills to offer.
- Gain hands-on experience: Throughout the program, you will develop insights into how to think and work like an American lawyer, by directly learning from and interacting with Moritz faculty experts, federal and state judges, and practicing attorneys at law firms in Columbus.
- Broaden your networks: you will interact with participants who are lawyers and legal professionals from different parts of the world. You will belong to a close-knit group of different backgrounds and legal cultures. These networks will give you exposure to potential clients, business partners, mentors, and more.
The Program is taught by Moritz College of Law’s leading law professors, federal and state judges, and law firm practitioners. All sessions are delivered in the U.S. law school-style lectures, simulations, and interactive workshops. The sessions, including site visits, will be held between 9 a.m.-3:00 p.m. each day. Outings and social gatherings may take place in the evening.
Through approximately 22 hours of instruction each week, participants are enriched academically and culturally through three distinctive modules: Introduction to U.S. Legal Systems; Dispute Resolution; and Corporate and Business Law, supplemented with teaching Legal English each week.
- Cericola, Kessia: U.S./Brazil Business Attorney
- Expertise: Business transactions, entity formation, contract negotiation, licenses & regulation.
- Chow, Daniel: Frank E. and Virginia H. Bazler Chair in Business Law
- Expertise: International trade law, international business transactions, international intellectual property, and Chinese law.
- Cole, Sarah: Professor of Law, Michael E. Moritz Chair in Alternative Dispute Resolution, Moritz College of Law
- Expertise: Alternative dispute resolution, arbitration, clinical education, labor and employment, mediation
- Froehlich, William: Langdon Fellow in Dispute Resolution
- Expertise: Nonprofit law, business responsibility, dispute resolution
- Garvin, Larry: Lawrence D. Stanley Professor of Law
- Expertise: commercial law, contracts, law & economics, small business finance.
- Geigel, Henrique: Associate, Vorys, Columbus office
- Expertise: Commercial litigation; general business and product liability litigation.
- O’Connell, Caroline, Adjunct Professor; Moritz College of Law
- Quigley, John: President’s Club Professor Emeritus of Law
- Expertise: International public law; human rights; international dispute resolution
- Schmitz, Amy: Professor, John Deaver Drinko-Baker & Hostetler Chair in Law
- Expertise: AI/Data analytics and the law, alternative dispute resolution, arbitration, consumer law, contracts, legal tech, online dispute resolution
- Settineri, Colleen: Assistant Clinical Professor
- Expertise: Legal writing & research
- The Honorable Judge Edmund A. Sargus: U.S. District Court of the Southern District of Ohio
Visa Information
he Moritz College of Law Summer Program can provide the participants with an enrollment letter for the purpose of applying for a visitor visa (B1 or/and B-2 visas) to enter the U.S. to attend this summer program. The B-2 visa category allows individuals coming to the U.S. for tourism to also temporarily enroll in a short course of study during their visit, not for credit toward a degree. Individuals traveling to attend professional education, seminars, or conferences that do not result in academic credit may qualify for a B-1 visa. Please review more information about the B-1 and B-2 visas on the U.S. Department of State's website.
Housing Information
1. On-campus housing options for summer program participants:
- $294 per week for a single room, $200 per week for a double room. (Shared bathroom).
- Link to book on-campus housing will be made available early May.
2. Recommended off-campus lodging near campus
- Fairfield Inn & Suites Columbus OSU
- Hyatt House Columbus OSU
- You may also consider Airbnb or the Wayfaring Buckeye Hostel.
Health Insurance
It is recommended that all Foundations participants purchase international travel/health insurance to cover any possible medical expenses they may incur while there are in the U.S. Incoming Fall semester LLM students at Moritz College of Law who arrive in the U.S. early to participate in Foundations are eligible to purchase OSU Student Insurance to cover them during the program (Note: OSU Student Insurance normally begins coverage in mid-August). More information can be found on the OSU Student Insurance page (contact information is at the bottom of the page).
Non-OSU participants in Foundations are not eligible to purchase OSU Student Insurance.
Guest Pass for Recreational Facilities
The Ohio State University is home to one of the nation's largest campus recreational facilities, the Recreation and Physical Activities Center (RPAC) as well nine other recreational facilities. The RPAC is a multi-purpose facility complex that combines innovative fitness spaces, versatile event areas and an active atmosphere, located in the heart of campus, southeast of Ohio Stadium. Foundations program participants have the option of purchasing a guest pass that allows access to all OSU recreational facilities at the following rates:
- 7 days - $35 1
- 4 days - $50
- 30 days - $65
The in-person Foundations program takes place at The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law located on the campus of The Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio – the nation’s 14th largest city and 3rd largest capital city. Drinko Hall houses a three-floor law library that provides ample room for individual and group study. The entire campus of The Ohio State University is fully equipped with wireless internet access and is conveniently located near many of Columbus’ key attractions including the Ohio Statehouse, the Short North Arts District, the Arena District, Huntington Park, and the Franklin Park Conservatory. Being the 3rd largest university in the United States, Ohio State boasts state-of-the-art facilities and outstanding resources that make the institution stand out from its national peers.
The LLM program at Ohio State Moritz College of Law draws upon the excellence in teaching and research at the best law school in Ohio and one of the best public law schools in the U.S. The LLM program is designed for foreign law graduates and foreign lawyers who wish to advance their legal education and careers in a stimulating academic environment.
The LLM program features a career-oriented curriculum with offerings of doctrinal courses in major legal practice areas and experiential learning courses. The program equips LLM candidates with essential lawyering skills and real-life work experience to meet the demand of the global legal market. LLM students also have the opportunity to sharpen their legal analysis, research, and writing skills through a broad array of seminar courses and participation in a number of journals.
A flexible degree, the LLM program allows students to design their curriculum that best suits their career goals. Students may select from over 100 courses in different areas of U.S., transnational and international law, and pursue a general curriculum or a specialized curriculum in six academic concentrations. The LLM program also offers courses that foreign-trained lawyers are required to take to qualify to sit for the bar exams in the U.S., such as Ohio, New York, California, and Washington D.C.
We invite you to explore the LLM experience at Moritz and the excellence of our faculty.
The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law is an integral part of one of the world’s great educational institutions. Founded in 1891 and consistently the top-ranked law school in the State of Ohio, the Moritz College of Law has grown into one of the nation’s pre-eminent public law schools and one of the most respected law schools in the world. The Moritz College of Law is also home to one of the nation's best Alternative Dispute Resolution programs (currently ranked #1 in the U.S.), and offers many opportunities for students to learn and practice ADR techniques while in law school, culminating in the Certificate in Dispute Resolution.
A collegial community of approximately 570 students and more than 50 faculty members, Moritz is known for its rigorous academic program, the pioneering research of its world-class faculty, a deep commitment to teaching and professional training, and the development of future leaders.
The college’s more than 11,000 alumni are central to its national reputation. Graduates include justices of the Supreme Court of Ohio, federal appeals and district court judges, U.S. senators, U.S. representatives, governors, managing partners in law firms of all sizes, chief executive officers of Fortune 500 corporations, professors at law schools across the country, and prominent attorneys in private practice, government service, and public interest law firms.
One of the largest universities in the U.S., Ohio State is ranked as one of the top 20 public universities by U.S. News & World Report. It has 13 graduate and professional programs ranked in the top 10. The Ohio State University is also ranked among the top 100+ universities by the QS World University Rankings and listed in the Shanghai Academic Ranking of World Universities.
The international student population at Ohio State has grown steadily since 2009 from 4,238 students to 7,000 students and ranks 14th in the nation. The campus hosts nearly 1700 visiting scholars each year.
Ohio State's Global Gateways give the university a physical presence in essential parts of the world. Gateway offices in Shanghai, China; Sao Paulo, Brazil; and Mumbai, India enable the university to forge new partnerships, recruit international students, facilitate faculty research, provide new ways to partner with Ohio-based businesses, and reconnect with a growing international alumni base. Other offices plan for Istanbul, Turkey, and Warsaw, Poland.
The Ohio State University received NAFSA's Senator Paul Simon Award for Comprehensive Internationalization in 2014, recognizing institutions for overall excellence in internationalization efforts as evidenced by best practices in engagement, programming, curriculum/faculty development, and outreach. The Simon Award is universally considered the most prestigious award for comprehensive internationalization in the U.S.
When you become an Ohio State student, you become connected to 64,000 students and over 500,000 living alumni. Around the world, we are known as Buckeyes. We know each other as friends.
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