A unique and impressive year-long Master’s program has been created in Paris through a joint effort by two of France’s most highly regarded universities—the Institut d'Études Politique de Paris (Sciences Po) and University Paris I Pantheon – Sorbonne Law School (Sorbonne).  Georgetown has partnered with Sciences Po and Paris I to offer this program to up to five Georgetown Law students per year. 

The program awards a Master’s in Global Economic Law from Paris I and a Master's degree from Sciences Po.  In addition, Georgetown students receive a total of 14 Georgetown credits toward their J.D. degree.  This program requires that the students take an additional semester at Georgetown (though without any additional tuition requirement).  

The aim of this highly selective, multi-disciplinary, and international program is to provide in-depth analysis of issues involved in the global market, with a European perspective.  The program is specially designed for a small group of students of law and political science from Europe and the United States.  Taught by experts from Sciences Po, the Sorbonne Law School, and occasional American experts, the program involves interactive, bi-lingual discussion in small groups in which American students, who will be offered linguistic support, will mingle with their European counterparts.  Some of the courses will be taught in French and some in English.  In addition to two semesters of course work, students can also complete an internship.  Sciences Po and the Sorbonne will provide assistance to students in finding internships with law firms, businesses, and governments. 

With the successful completion of all course work, American students will obtain a French national law degree, entitling them to sit for the French bar exam.

Only about 30 students—about 10 from Sciences Po, 10 from the Sorbonne, and 10 from U.S. law schools—will participate in this program each year.  The small number of students ensures close attention and assistance. 

Sciences Po facilities are not necessarily accessible to students with disabilities.  Students with disabilities should contact the Office of Transnational Programs.

COURSES and FACULTY

The courses include, among others, international business transactions and contracts, the World Trade Organization, international finance, international arbitration, intellectual property, and the fundamentals of the French legal system.  For further information on courses, see the course list.  

Courses are assessed by a variety of methods, including written exams, oral presentations, and papers. 

2009-2010 Teaching Faculty

Students generally register for classes either online or in person the first week of September. 

Sciences Po uses a 20 point grading system.  A passing grade is 10 points or better.

ACADEMIC CALENDAR – Autumn Semester 2009-2010

 

Sept. 2	Course Registration
TBD	Orientation Program
Sept. 21	Classes Begin
Nov. 7-11	Break
Dec. 5	Last Day of Classes
Dec. 14 - 19	Final Exam Period
Dec. 19 - Jan. 3	Winter Break

 

ACADEMIC CALENDAR – Spring Semester 2009-2010

 

Jan. 11	Classes Begin
Feb. 27 - March 7	Winter Break
April 2	Last Day of Classes

 

HOUSING

Sciences Po does not directly arrange housing, but offers a special service that assists and advises students with finding accommodation. It also provides a list of contact to make housing-seeking easier. For more information

Housing information for the area is found at: http://www.sciences-po.fr/formation/inscriptions/logement/index.html

and http://www.sciences-po.fr/admissions/logement/.

LANGUAGE

Georgetown students accepted into the Global Business Law program are expected to have fluency or near-fluency in French.  Students will be asked to take an online language proficiency test provided by Sciences Po.  The test will determine whether or not additional language training is necessary.

APPLICATION TIME LINE

Deadline to submit the Georgetown Law Center Semester Abroad Application to the Office Transnational Programs (OTP).	March 18
Deadline for OTP to notify applicants if their Sciences Po applications have been approved.	March 25
Deadline for approved students to upload the following information to the Sciences Po application website (scroll to the bottom of the page to create an account and upload your materials): * Current CV/Resume * All higher education transcripts (unofficial copies are acceptable) * Personal Statement (maximum of 1000 words) * French language test results (optional)	April 1
Deadline for Sciences Po to notify approved students if they have been admitted to the Master’s in Global Economic Law program.	April 22

FINANCIAL AID INFORMATION

While studying in France through this program, students are eligible to receive the following funding during that year: Federal Stafford loans, commercial or Grad Plus Loans, as well as any Law Center grant or scholarship awards for which they have qualified. The same deadlines and application procedures for renewal of aid funds should be followed as if the student were attending at the Law Center. Note that students who have a final semester to complete their J.D. degree after the year-long program in France attend their final semester at the Law Center tuition free.  Should the student need loans to meet their living expenses during the last semester, students are limited to non-federal, commercial loans only.

Additionally, students should be aware that, pursuant to federal regulations, lenders may not disburse federal financial aid more than 10 calendar days prior to the actual start date of classes. Therefore, if classes at the foreign institution do not start until September 29, financial aid funds will post to the borrower’s student account no sooner than September 19.  Please note that the regulations require the timing limitations be based on the start of classes, not orientation programs or other pre-class activities, even if required by the institution.  Students should plan accordingly.  See the Financial Aid section on the main semester abroad web page for additional information. 

Students participating in this program must purchase the French state insurance, in compliance with the national social security law.  The cost of this insurance is €195 (about $254) .  This fee will be factored into the student's financial aid.

Georgetown University health insurance requirements still apply to these students. Information about the Georgetown study abroad plan, including cost and coverage, is available at http://www12.georgetown.edu/student-affairs/insurance/studyabroad.html.

Estimated Expenses 2009-2010

BUDGET
Tuition	$43,750
Health Insurance	$1,795
Student Visa	$200
Rent	$8,208
Living/ Food Expense	$3,960
Airfare (2 RT tickets)	$2,800
Local Transportation	$752
Miscellaneous	$1,864
French Health Insurance	$261
Abroad Insurance	$210
TOTAL	$63,800

 

SCIENCES PO CONTACT PERSON FOR ADMITTTED STUDENTS

Elodie Luquet
elodie.luquet@sciences-po.fr

CAMPUS FRANCE

Students who are admitted to the program will need to apply for a visa.  Before doing so, they must register with Campus France.  The registration process can take some time and must be completed before a visa application can be completed.  See http://usa.campusfrance.org/en/1.html for more information. 

After considering the material here and on the websites, a student who plans to apply for this Sciences Po-Sorbonne program might seek the advice of Professor Barry Carter, Faculty Advisor to the program.  Prof. Carter’s telephone number is 202-662-9322 and his e-mail is carter@law.georgetown.edu.  Students who are admitted to the Sciences Po program should consult with Prof. Carter regarding course selection.

Click here to read reports from past participants.

Revised June 1, 2009 (CM)