October 12, 2011

Cooley Law School Enters Into Student Exchange Program with Germany's Largest Law School

Thomas M. Cooley Law School and the University of Münster's law school, which is the largest law school in Germany, have entered into an agreement to allow students and faculty the opportunity to learn and teach as part of a student exchange program. The initial agreement between the two schools is for three years. The University of Münster, in Münster, Germany, is located in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia.

"The agreement enhances each institution's teaching, learning and international objectives," said Don LeDuc, president and dean of Cooley Law School. "Cooley’s teaming up with a German law school gives our students an opportunity to immerse themselves in international law."

University of Münster Dean Hans Michael Wolffgang said, "This agreement between the largest law schools in Germany and the United States helps us both and offers unique foreign study opportunities to all our students."

Each school will be allowed to have up to four students in the exchange program in any one-year period. The exchange agreement allows for Münster’s undergraduate and postgraduate law students and Cooley's Juris Doctor and LL.M. students to study for one semester abroad at the home school's tuition rate. Students must complete one year of law school before being accepted into the program.

"Münster is historically important and dynamic, and Cooley students will have a unique opportunity to study law there, in English, and to transfer their credits back home.  Plus, we hope to attract a few German students to study with us," said Bill Weiner, Cooley’s associate dean for international programs.

"We are proud of our common law program and pleased to offer our courses to Cooley Law School students," said Professor Dr. Thomas Lundmark, academic advisor to the common law, French Law, and Spanish law programs at the University of Münster. "The ability to study at Cooley will benefit our students as well."

The two schools are also working on details that would extend the exchange program for faculty members and other research personnel. The maximum duration of stay for faculty members participating in the exchange program would be up to one academic year.

About Thomas M. Cooley Law School:
Thomas M. Cooley Law School is the largest law school in the nation.  Founded in 1972, the private, non-profit law school operates its Juris Doctor program, Joint Degree programs, and Master of Laws programs across Michigan in Lansing, Auburn Hills, Grand Rapids and Ann Arbor. Cooley recently announced a new Tampa Bay, Florida-area campus, with courses beginning in May 2012.  Cooley has more than 15,000 graduates across the nation and worldwide and offers enrollment three times a year in January, May and September. Cooley is an independent law school, accredited by the American Bar Association and the Higher Learning Commission. Additional information can be found at cooley.edu.