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Certificate Program

Through the Anglo-American Law & Language Certificate Program, you can expand your knowledge of legal English, gain insight into the Anglo-American legal system, and discuss current international issues.

This program is particularly recommended if you are planning to study or work abroad or if you want to use this additional qualification to set yourself apart from other applicants in your future career. Especially in today’s globalized world, a solid command of English is indispensable and is even a mandatory requirement at major law firms and international companies.

  • Specialized Foreign Language Training in Legal English
  • Total of 16 SWS or 8 courses:
    • 3 required courses (core courses) with a final exam
      • Introduction to American Law
      • U.S. Constitutional Law I: State and Governance
      • U.S. Constitutional Law II: Fundamental Rights
    • 5 elective courses without an exam
    • Attendance is mandatory for all courses
  • Enrollment is possible in both the summer and winter semesters
  • Credit may be granted for foreign language courses already completed
  • Maximum duration of eight semesters
  • Written and oral final examination at the end of the program
  • Semester off in accordance with §25 (2) No. 4 JAG NRW upon successful completion (more information here)
  • Excellent preparation for a potential study abroad experience
  • Preparation for a future career in an international environment

 

1. Registration

First, you must register for the Law & Language Certificate Program with us, the Center for International Affairs. To do so, please fill out our application form and submit it to us along with the required supporting documents (copies). You can find the application form at the following link or at our office. If you have previously taken English-language courses, such as “Introduction to American Law,” or completed equivalent coursework abroad, you may apply to have these credits recognized. You can submit your application directly at our office, via email to zfi-jura@rub.de, or by mail to:

Faculty of Law
Center for International Affairs
Building GD 1/131
Universitätsstr. 150
44780 Bochum


2. Selecting & Attending Courses

After successfully registering, you have eight semesters to complete the required language courses. You must register separately for each course via eCampus every semester and may take 1–2 required courses per semester. In addition, there are numerous electives from which you can choose. These do not require a successfully completed exam, but only a minimum attendance rate of 80%, and are offered, among other formats, as block courses during the semester breaks.

 

3. Final Exam

After you have successfully completed all eight courses, you must take a final exam. This exam consists of a written and an oral portion. Registration is done by submitting a written application to the Center for International Affairs, and you will only be admitted if you have passed the three required courses and provided proof of participation in courses totaling 16 SWS. After successfully passing the final exam, you will receive a certificate consisting of two component grades. The first component grade is based on the results of the three required courses, and the second on the overall grade of the final exam. This marks the successful completion of the program.


The final exam is held once during the summer semester (usually in July or August) and once during the winter semester (usually in February or March).


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