The program

For more than fifty years Columbia Law School has offered this Summer Program in American Law in collaboration with the University of Amsterdam and Leiden University law faculties. The Program is held every summer, for the whole month of July, and alternates each year between Amsterdam and Leiden.

Recent students - and students from many years past - have given overwhelmingly enthusiastic evaluations of the Program. Former students - who are now distinguished judges, political leaders, senior attorneys, business executives, and law professors - participate in great numbers in formal Program reunions and in smaller informal reunions in many countries.

At the end of the Program, students are awarded a Certificate of Participation. If they wish to take a final examination, they may obtain 5 EC (European credits, ECTS) toward degrees at their home universities. For Dutch lawyers, participating in the Program, it is possible to obtain NOvA credits accredited by the Dutch Bar Association. For more information please check the website of the Bar Association: regelgeving.advocatenorde.nl.

The Program is entirely taught by Columbia professors, and is designed to provide a general introduction to the American legal system for lawyers and other (legal) professionals, or (graduate) students interested in the Program.

Besides the excellent educational aspects, the Columbia Summer Program is also known for its exceptional fine atmosphere amongst participants and professors from Columbia University. The bonds summer students form with professors are strengthened outside the classroom, through daily lunches at the university and social activities. Hans Smit established the Program with this collegial atmosphere in mind.