Semester Exchange and Exchange-to-LLM Transfer

Photo of a town in Germany

Incoming International Exchange Students

Wake Forest Law welcomes students from partner institutions to study in the fall (August to December) or spring (January to May) semesters. Students may earn 10-12 credit hours (approximately 3-4 courses) during their exchange semester that may be transferred to their home institution.

Students must first be nominated by their home university and then apply directly to Wake Forest Law. Please contact your study abroad office directly for details and instructions on applying to the Semester Exchange Program.

Exchange students may take any course offered by the Law School, subject to the prerequisites for any given course, with the exception of certain clinical and skills-related courses. Please see our course catalog.

For more information on preparing to spend a semester at Wake Forest Law, please see our exchange semester informational slides and information for admitted exchange students.

How to Apply

  • Deadline for Fall 2025: May 1, 2025
  • Deadline for Spring 2026: November 1, 2025
  • Create account on Wake Forest Law application system and upload documents:
    • Letter of enrollment verification from EBS (must have completed at least two years of study at EBS prior to start of exchange semester)
    • Official transcripts from EBS
    • Proof of English proficiency (TOEFL 95, IELTS 6.5, or letter from EBS attesting to English proficiency level)
    • Resume/CV
  • Application is reviewed and approved within 1-2 weeks
  • You will receive email from the Center for Immigration Services and Support (ISS) with instructions to apply for your DS-2019 visa document (e.g. copy of passport ID page, proof of funds for your stay)
  • DS-2019 is sent to you electronically with your SEVIS number
  • Submit online J-1 visa application and make appointment at nearest US embassy or consulate

Program Costs

(Please note that these figures are for the 2024-25 academic year. The cost of tuition generally increases between 3-6% each year.)

  • Tuition: you will pay your home university’s tuition during your exchange semester 
  • Required additional fees:
    • Student health fee: $286 (for access to campus health)
    • Activity fee: $50
    • Technology fee: $220 
  • Estimated living costs for one semester: (housing, food, books, transportation): $14,068 (exact amount you need to show for visa document may vary, please follow ISS instructions)
  • Mandatory additional costs:
    • health insurance: $1,397 for the university health plan. You may also request a waiver and provide an alternative plan that meets the requirements
  • Optional additional costs:

International Exchange to LLM Transfer Program 

International exchange students from Wake Forest Law’s partner institutions are eligible for the Exchange Semester to LLM Transfer Program. Please contact llm@wfu.edu with questions about this option as specific visa regulations and bar exam limitations may apply.

Requirements

  • Students must have attended Wake Forest Law as a semester exchange student within five years prior to the date of application to the LLM program
  • Students must apply and be accepted to the Wake Forest Law LLM program 

Credits

  • Students may be eligible to use credits earned during the exchange semester toward completion of an LLM degree. As part of the admissions process, a determination will be made as to how many credits earned while studying at Wake Forest Law during the exchange semester will transfer towards the LLM program. As a general rule, a maximum of 12 credits may be transferred.
  • Students cannot use transfer credits initially earned while on exchange toward an LLM degree to qualify them to sit for the New York Bar. Students may be eligible to sit for the bar exam in other states.