Students from ABA-approved U.S. schools and foreign law schools are eligible to apply. Students who participate have been in different stages of their law school career, and part time evening students have been well represented. The 2011 inaugural Program enrolled 26 J.D. students from Catholic University’s Columbus School of Law and 4 students from other ABA-approved law schools. In 2013, 17 J.D. students from Catholic University's Columbus School of Law and 2 students from other ABA-approved law school participated. In 2014, 11 Catholic University law students and 2 non-CUA law students participated in the program. Non-CUA students participating in the past have included students from Stetson, Hofstra, Rutgers, John Marshall, Liberty, California Western and the University of the District of Columbia law schools. In 2016, 15 students participated in the program; 14 students attended Catholic University's Columbus School of Law and one students was enrolledin William Mitchell College of Law. In 2018, 9 CUA students and one from Howard University took part in the program.  The International Human Rights Summer Law Program in Rome will enroll up to 25 law students. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 International Human Rights Summer Law Program in Rome, Italy, was cancelled in the interest of the health and safety of our participants and faculty. Students will come predominantly from ABA-accredited law schools, though admission is open to Canadian, European and other foreign law students.

Cost of participation varies depending on personal spending habits, lodging selected, and currency exchange rates. Please see full estimated student budget at the program's cost page.

Due upon acceptance to the program is a deposit of $500 that will be applied to the program fee, which covers mandatory health and evacuation insurance; entertainment, such as fieldtrips, receptions, dinners; ATAC pass for local transportation; preparation of some materials; printer and wifi access; and Rome support staff.

CUA students are eligible to apply for financial aid. They should contact CUA's Director of Financial Aid, Megan Glinski (glinski@law.edu) for further information. Students from other law schools must check with their own financial aid offices to ensure they will be eligible. Note that students must enroll in a a minimum of 3 credits to apply for summer financial aid.

Get to and around Rome
Students are encouraged to search for affordable flights upon admission to the program. Rome has two airports: Leonardo da Vinci Airport in Fiumicino (FCO) and a smaller airport, Ciampino. Flights from the US usually arrive at Leonardo da Vinci Airport in Fiumicino (FCO), while flights to and from other parts of Europe may go to Ciampino.

You may book a shuttle in advance to bring you from the airport to your lodging. They will be waiting for you with a little sign with your name on it. There are several companies that offer this service, such as www.airportshuttle.it. Those on a tight budget may wish to take the commuter train to Termini or Trastevere at approximately €25 per person, and then take a taxi from there to their lodging.

A taxi is the easiest (although more expensive) way to the center of the city with your luggage. Do not accept a taxi ride from people approaching you in or outside the airport saying "taxi." These are unregulated and may charge you an enormous fee. Instead, go outside and look for the official line of white taxis waiting at the taxi stand. The fixed price into Rome for the legal taxis is currently 48 euro, luggage and tip included. If you have friends or classmates whose flights arrive at or near the same time as yours, sharing a cab ride may also be an affordable option.

American citizens do not need a visa to study for up to 90 days in Italy. A current, valid passport is required, and you must submit a copy of the photo page of your passport in advance of the program. If you do not already have a passport, apply for one at your earliest convenience. Be sure to allow sufficient processing time. If you do have a passport, check the expiration date and renew if necessary. Your passport expiration date should be six months beyond which you intend to return home. If your passport is not an American passport, different rules may apply and a visa or other documentation may be needed. Please contact italy@law.edu for additional information.

Students may select CUA arranged housing at the Rome Center. They are also free to arrange their own housing in Rome. Please see full information about accommodations on our "Facilities" page.

Rome offers a variety of dining options, many of which are reasonably priced and most enjoyable. Students are responsible for their own meals, with the exceptions noted below. To budget according to your spending habits, estimate you will spend $40 per day for 21 days on the lower end of the range, and on the higher end of this range, anticipate daily expenditures in the range of $60 per day.

A light breakfast will be provided daily to students who have selected to reside at the CUA Rome Center; the cost of breakfast will be included in the housing fee. During the three-week Program, there will be some planned dinners and social events, the cost of which will be covered by the mandatory Program fee.