University of Hawaii William S. Richardson School of Law

Eligibility: Students who have completed at least one year at a recognized foreign law school and graduates of recognized foreign law schools are encouraged to apply for our Hawaiʻi Summer Law Program. International applicants will complete our Summer Application for International Students and submit current law school transcripts or proof of graduation from a recognized foreign law school. English proficiency requirements vary depending on the course (see application for instructions). After being admitted in the program, we will work with in-person students who need an I-20 for their visa application. 
It’s free to apply, no LSAT required!

International students pay
Hawaiʻi resident rates for Summer courses

Introduction to U.S. Law

June 22 – July 17, 2026
Monday – Friday, 9am – 11:30am

This course provides a general introduction to the fundamental principles and distinctive aspects of the U.S. legal system and its institutions. We will begin by studying foundational concepts such as sources of law, precedent and common law reasoning, and the allocation of governmental powers. The course will also introduce you to the U.S. adversarial system, the role of the legal profession, the criminal justice system, and civil litigation. Finally, students will learn the core principles of a few key substantive fields, including contracts, torts, and property. Students may also visit the Judiciary History Center and attend live court hearings, schedule permitting.

  • In-Person in Hawaiʻi
  • Variable credit (3-4 credits)
  • Flexible credit/no credit grading
  • Priority application deadline: March 15, 2026
    • For application submission after March 15, please contact intlaw@hawaii.edu.

Legal Oral Communication

July 6 – August 14, 2026
variable meeting times

Designed for non-native English speakers and open to law school students and graduates, this course will develop legal English listening & speaking skills and improve confidence communicating in a US legal setting. This course is repeatable.

  • In-Person, hybrid, an online formats available
    • meeting times depend on format and start date
  • Variable credit (2-4 credits)
  • Flexible credit/no credit grading
  • Priority application deadline: March 15, 2026
    • For application submission after March 15, please contact intlaw@hawaii.edu.

Additional classes may be available depending on an applicant’s previous legal studies.

Summer Housing

Each student is responsible for arranging their accommodations in Hawai‘i. Many of our international students apply for student housing through the East-West Center (EWC). EWC is a 5-minute walk from the Law School and offers affordable, dormitory-style housing for UHM students. Rates are set by EWC and EWC housing applications go directly through EWC. Find additional housing resources below:

Apply online!

Reach out to intlaw@hawaii.edu for more information!

International students who have completed at least one year at a recognized law school may apply to attend Richardson for one semester or for one year.

  • Hoakipa Visiting Student Program: The University of Hawaiʻi has agreements with more than 90 international schools to welcome a limited number of visiting international students each semester. See the Mānoa International Exchange (MIX) website for information, deadlines, and application.
  • Independent Visiting Students (‘free movers’): Students from universities that don’t have a formal Hoakipa agreement with the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa may apply as an Independent Visiting Student. Applicants can apply directly through the Law School or through the Mānoa International Exchange (MIX) with the assistance of their home university.

Housing for International Visiting Students

Each student is responsible for arranging their accommodations in Hawai‘i. Many of our international students apply for student housing through the East-West Center (EWC). EWC is a 5-minute walk from the Law School and offers affordable, dormitory-style housing for UHM students. Rates are set by EWC and EWC housing applications go directly through EWC. Find additional housing resources below:

  • East-West Center (EWC) Student Affiliate Program
  • UHM Student Housing Services
    • Find information about on-campus and off-campus housing here. On-campus housing is limited and applications are first come, first serve.

Reach out to intlaw@hawaii.edu for more information!

  • Our LLM Program is designed for both international lawyers and U.S. JDs.
  • Students enjoy the flexibility to customize their LLM Program.
  • Students may start in Fall, Spring, or Summer
  • Our LLM students take classes with our JD students.
  • Our curriculum fulfills the LLM education requirements to be eligible for the New York and California bar exams for international LLMs. Note that there may be additional requirements including Character & Fitness/Moral Character determinations for admission to the bar in every U.S. jurisdiction and it is each applicant’s responsibility to understand their qualifications for eligibility. Click here for more information.
  • Optional Specializations are available in the following areas:
    • International & Comparative Law
    • Human Rights
    • Environmental Law/Ocean Law & Policy
    • Law, Technology, & Innovation
    • Business & Commercial Law
    • Conflict Resolution
    • Criminal Law & Justice

      Click here to learn more!

  • Designed for graduates of foreign law schools and allows students to complete a U.S. Juris Doctor (JD) degree in as little as two years
  • Qualified students may transfer in up to 29 credits from previous legal study, allowing them to complete the program in a little as two years.
  • AJD graduates earn the same JD Degree and may sit for a bar exam.
  • Our AJD Program is available full-time, in-person or part-time, online. All AJD applicants will use the same AJD application which has a section for applicants to indicate their preference for either the full-time, in-person or the part-time, online program.

    Click here to learn more!

We offer short courses and preparatory courses designed for International students including:

  • Legal Oral Communication
  • Introduction to U.S. Law
  • U.S. Legal Research and Writing

Resources for International Students

Advising

  • Graduate & International Programs Orientation
  • Academic advising with our Graduate & International Programs Faculty Adviser
  • Career coaching, assistance with resume writing and interview skills, and other resources and events through the Law School Professional Development Office.
  • Administrative support with Graduate & International Programs staff and faculty
  • Bar preparation, course planning, and support with our Director of Bar Success
  • International Student Services (ISS)

English Language Support

  • Center for Academic Spoken English (CASE): provides free oral communication support for members of the UH Mānoa community who speak English as an additional language.
  • The Writing Center at Mānoa: is a collaborative environment which offers writing consultations free of charge to anyone affiliated with UH – undergraduate and graduate students, faculty, staff, and visiting scholars. 
  • East-West Toastmasters: organizes monthly meetings of students, faculty, and staff of UH Mānoa, as well as people from the community to develop public speaking skills.

Funding Opportunities for International Students

Master of Laws (LLM) Program Advanced Juris Doctor (AJD)
Graduate & International Programs How to Apply

I-20 and Visa Assistance

The International Programs Office works with the UH International Student Services (ISS) and the UH Faculty & Scholar Immigration Services (FSIS) to assist international students, scholars, and visitors.

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