Eligibility
- Rising 2L or 3L students in good standing at any ABA-accredited law school
- Transferable credits are subject to home institution approval
Why Study Law in Alaska?
- Study law in the only state in the U.S. without a law school. It’s a place with a legal landscape unlike anywhere else, where questions of tribal sovereignty, natural resource law, and rural justice intersect daily with the realities of geography, culture, and environment. You’ll see firsthand how Alaska’s unique challenges create equally unique opportunities for lawyers who want to make an impact.
- Earn academic credit while learning in an extraordinary setting where class discussions continue under the midnight sun and every day offers a new perspective on how law meets the land.
- Build your resume and your network as you connect with Alaska’s judges, attorneys, policymakers, and law firms who are making a real impact across the state.
- Experience law beyond the Lower 48 in a domestic “law study abroad” program that will challenge what you think you know about the law, justice, and community.
- Make lifelong friends, laugh a lot, and come home with stories you'll be telling for years.
Course Content
Students will complete four to five elective credits through interdisciplinary coursework taught by Willamette Law and UAA faculty, along with Alaska-based practitioners and policy experts. Courses emphasize discussion, applied learning, and field-based experiences that deepen students' understanding of legal studies in environmental, Indigenous, and rural justice contexts.
Core Courses (4 credits):
- Environmental and Natural Resources Law: You’ll examine sustainability, regulation, and conservation in one of the world’s most resource-rich regions.
- Rural Criminal Justice: You will study access-to-justice challenges in Alaska’s rural and remote communities.
- Alaskan Legal Practice: This course will help you understand the unique structure and culture of Alaska’s judicial system.
- Indigenous and Tribal Law: You’ll explore tribal sovereignty, Native corporations, and the intersection of federal and state law.
- Optional Independent Study: In this course, you’ll pursue a supervised research project on a topic inspired by your Alaskan experience.
How to Apply
Because applications are reviewed on a rolling basis and space is limited, applicants are encouraged to complete the application process as early as possible.
Application for Summer 2027 will open in Fall 2026
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Application Requirements
- Online application form (no fee)
- Unofficial transcript
- Short statement of interest
- Acknowledgment of credit transfer and financial aid process (for non-Willamette students)
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Deadlines
- Dates: TBD