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Is this program right for you?

If you have a keen interest in exploring human rights and public policy issues related to gender, minorities, and other social issues in Spain and the European Union—and a strong desire to attend law school in the future—consider the CIEE Legal Studies program in Madrid. The only program taught in Spanish in the Spanish-speaking world for U.S. students,  you’ll immerse yourself even further in Spanish culture by studying alongside local students and by living with legal practitioners or scholars.

Program Snapshot

  • Advanced Spanish language courses with a focus on legal terminology
  • CIEE core course focusing on the Spanish legal system; regular University courses in law and political science; law related internship
  • Group housing with other Legal Studies students and a CIEE Resident Fellow affiliated with the Universidad Carlos III
  • Educational activities, such as visits to Congress, Parliament, and guided tours of the historical district; excursions to sites of cultural importance

Subject Areas

  • Criminal Law
  • European Law
  • European Union Studies
  • Family Law
  • History of Law
  • International Law
  • Internship
  • Labor Union Law
  • Philosophy of Law
  • Political Economy
  • Political Science
  • Public Government Law
  • Public Policy
  • Religion and Law
  • Roman Law
  • Spanish Law
  • Spanish Legal Language

About Madrid

Madrid, the capital of Spain, is located in the geographic center of the Iberian Peninsula. Points of interest include the historic center dating back to the Hapsburg Empire and world-renowned art museums, including the Prado, Reina Sofia, and Thyssen-Bornemisza. In addition to being a rich cultural heritage site, Madrid is a lively, artistic metropolis that can be experienced through its variety of food, tapas bars, dance shows, opera house, music concerts, outdoor parks, jazz clubs, soccer matches, ethnic neighborhoods, and contemporary theater and cinema.

Where You'll Study

Universidad Carlos III de Madrid

Established in 1989, the Universidad Carlos III de Madrid is one of Europe’s preeminent public universities and Spain''s first and only public university to have adopted a U.S.-style academic calendar. It has one of the highest percentages (42%) of full-time and tenured women faculty in Spain. The University admits nearly 4,000 students at the Getafe campus, located in the southern metropolitan area. CIEE students take classes in three schools: humanities, social sciences, and engineering. Easily accessible by public transportation, the Getafe campus is approximately 30 minutes by bus and 15 minutes by train from the Atocha train station.

Thoughts From Abroad

Preparing for law school admission is a challenging task. Madrid, the country’s capital and seat of Spanish government, offers an exceptional opportunity to explore the relationship between law and human behavior. Here the highest court, the Audiencia Nacional, tests out the Spanish constitution and other binding laws enacted for corporate governance, gender equality, labor unions, child protection, penal codes, and property disputes. Through site visits and an internship opportunity, you’ll experience how madrileños adapt to European Union regulations and its conflicts, such as required access for the physically disabled, new environmental codes, and human rights. In addition to taking regular University courses in law with Spanish students, you’ll gain analytic thought and problem-solving skills, as well as critical reading abilities that can assist in selective entrance to graduate programs in the United States. I look forward to welcoming you to Madrid!

— Senzeni Steingruber, Resident Director

Staff Bios

Senzeni Steingruber, Resident Director, has a Bachelor’s degree from Harvard University and earned her Master’s in European Cultural Planning from De Montfort University (UK) where she focused on cultural diversity in the ethnic neighborhood of Lavapíes, Madrid. Senzeni has studied in Lausanne, Switzerland and Waterloo, Canada where she completed degrees in Architecture and Environmental Studies. She has lived in Berlin, Montreal, Rome, and Helsinki before settling in Madrid, where she has worked with the CIEE Study Center in Madrid since 2005. Senzeni speaks English, German, French, and Spanish.

Dr. Helena Soleto, a law professor at Universidad Carlos III de Madrid, is the Academic Advisor for the program and also teaches the core course.

Recommended Credit

semester: 12-15 semester/18-22.5 quarter hours
academic year: 24-30 semester/36-45 quarter hours

Eligibility Requirements

  • Overall 3.0 GPA 
  • 6 semesters of college-level Spanish or equivalent
  • Junior standing or above

Program Dates

Fall 20098/27/2009 - 12/19/2009
Academic Year 2009-108/27/2009 - 5/31/2010
Spring 20101/14/2010 - 5/31/2010

Application Deadlines

Fall 20094/1/2009
Academic Year 2009-104/1/2009
Spring 201010/15/2009

Click here to check for deadline extensions.

Duration

Fall 200920 weeks
late August/early September - mid-December
Academic Year 2009-1040 weeks
late August/early September - late May
Spring 201018 or 24 weeks
late January - late May or early June

CIEE Costs

CIEE program fees, inclusions, and estimated additional costs, are outlined below. Please note that CIEE reserves the right to adjust its fees in the event of significant change in exchange rates or other factors beyond its control. The actual cost of the programs may vary slightly for students from different institutions.

For comprehensive fee breakdowns and estimated additional costs, click the costs below:

  • Fall 2009 $15,100
    The CIEE fee includes an optional on-site airport meet and greet, full-time leadership and support, tuition, housing, all meals, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, field trips, pre-departure advising, and a CIEE iNext travel card which provides insurance and other travel benefits.

    Program Fees

    This breakdown has been prepared from the program budget for the purpose of calculating eligibility for financial aid. During the course of program operations, actual figures may vary. It should not, therefore, be used as a basis for calculation of refunds. CIEE reserves the right to adjust fees at any time.

    Students required to study on CIEE programs through a School of Record will be charged a $340 administrative fee in addition to the Program Fees listed below.

    Educational Costs (direct cost of education charged uniformly to all students; including $300 non-refundable Participation Confirmation Fee)$8,526
    Housing and Meals$6,500
    Medical Insurance$74
    Total$15,100

    The CIEE fee includes an optional on-site airport meet and greet, full-time leadership and support, tuition, housing, all meals, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, field trips, pre-departure advising, and a CIEE iNext travel card which provides insurance and other travel benefits.



    Estimated Additional Costs

    The estimated additional costs indicated below are intended to assist students and parents in budgeting for those additional living and discretionary expenses not included in the program fee. Actual expenses will vary according to student interests and spending habits.

    Transportation (round-trip based on U.S. East Coast departure)$1,350
    Personal Expenses$2,800
    Books and Supplies$300
    Local Transportation$600
    Visa Fee$100
    Potential Travel to Consulate for visa$400
    Total$5,550


  • Academic Year 2009-10 $27,200
    The CIEE fee includes an optional on-site airport meet and greet, full-time leadership and support, tuition, housing, all meals, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, field trips, pre-departure advising, and a CIEE iNext travel card which provides insurance and other travel benefits.

    Program Fees

    This breakdown has been prepared from the program budget for the purpose of calculating eligibility for financial aid. During the course of program operations, actual figures may vary. It should not, therefore, be used as a basis for calculation of refunds. CIEE reserves the right to adjust fees at any time.

    Students required to study on CIEE programs through a School of Record will be charged a $340 administrative fee in addition to the Program Fees listed below.

    Housing and Meals$13,000
    Medical Insurance$74
    Educational Costs (direct cost of education charged uniformly to all students; including $300 non-refundable Participation Confirmation Fee)$14,126
    Total$27,200

    The CIEE fee includes an optional on-site airport meet and greet, full-time leadership and support, tuition, housing, all meals, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, field trips, pre-departure advising, and a CIEE iNext travel card which provides insurance and other travel benefits.



    Estimated Additional Costs

    The estimated additional costs indicated below are intended to assist students and parents in budgeting for those additional living and discretionary expenses not included in the program fee. Actual expenses will vary according to student interests and spending habits.

    Potential Travel to Consulate for visa$400
    Visa Fee$100
    Books and Supplies$600
    Local Transportation$1,200
    Personal Expenses$5,600
    Transportation (round-trip based on U.S. East Coast departure)$1,350
    Total$9,250


  • Spring 2010 $15,300
    The CIEE fee includes an optional on-site airport meet and greet, full-time leadership and support, tuition, housing, all meals, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, field trips, pre-departure advising, and a CIEE iNext travel card which provides insurance and other travel benefits.

    Program Fees

    This breakdown has been prepared from the program budget for the purpose of calculating eligibility for financial aid. During the course of program operations, actual figures may vary. It should not, therefore, be used as a basis for calculation of refunds. CIEE reserves the right to adjust fees at any time.

    Students required to study on CIEE programs through a School of Record will be charged a $340 administrative fee in addition to the Program Fees listed below.

    Educational Costs (direct cost of education charged uniformly to all students; including $300 non-refundable Participation Confirmation Fee)$9,626
    Housing and Meals$5,600
    Medical Insurance$74
    Total$15,300

    The CIEE fee includes an optional on-site airport meet and greet, full-time leadership and support, tuition, housing, all meals, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, field trips, pre-departure advising, and a CIEE iNext travel card which provides insurance and other travel benefits.



    Estimated Additional Costs

    The estimated additional costs indicated below are intended to assist students and parents in budgeting for those additional living and discretionary expenses not included in the program fee. Actual expenses will vary according to student interests and spending habits.

    Transportation (round-trip based on U.S. East Coast departure)$1,350
    Personal Expenses$2,800
    Books and Supplies$300
    Local Transportation$600
    Visa Fee$100
    Potential Travel to Consulate for Visa$400
    Total$5,550


Scholarship Information

For a complete list of scholarships available, please vist our Scholarships section.