Cumberland School of Law has conducted study abroad programs in England since 1991, first at the University of Kent in Canterbury, then at Collingwood College at the University of Durham. The program was moved to Cambridge in 2006.

The program is designed to introduce students to international law, with particular emphasis on the legal systems of the U.K. and the European Union and explore their relationship in the looming shadow of Brexit. Students combine a one-week, one-credit course in the English Legal System and Law of the European Union with two elective two-credit courses of their choice for the remaining weeks of the program.

An array of opportunities exist to explore the rich historic legacy of Cambridge and England as a whole, whether the student chooses to join in curated program activities with faculty or pursue individual interests. Students wishing to expand their experience through travel to neighboring countries can do so over the two long weekends built into the academic schedule, as well as before classes begin or after the program ends.

This program is put on through a partnership between Samford University Cumberland School of Law, Campbell University Norman Adrian Wiggins School of Law and Chapman University Fowler School of Law.

2026 Information 

The 2026 program will take place at Jesus College at the University of Cambridge, June 28-Aug. 1, 2026.

An opening reception for students and faculty will include an orientation about the college and the Cambridge area. Classes will be conducted Monday & Tuesday of the first week and Monday of the second week for the English Legal System. During the second and third week, there will be no classes on Fridays to provide three-day weekends for travel or study. Exams will be conducted July 30-31, and a closing dinner will be offered for students and faculty on July 27.

Consistent with the international law curriculum, students will travel to Strasbourg France, where they will tour the parliament of the European Union, the Council of Europe and the European Court of Human Rights. 

The 2026 Cambridge program is limited to a maximum of 40 students.

“Studying in Cambridge was one of my most rewarding and memorable experiences. I traveled with close friends, made new connections and explored five other countries on the weekends. Our courses were dynamic and thought-provoking. The knowledge I gained has served me academically and professionally. Every employer I’ve interviewed with this fall has asked me about the trip, and it has become a meaningful point of connection.”
— Lyndsey Stott

Curriculum

All students take the one-credit course and final, The English Legal System, occurring on the Monday and Tuesday of the first week and the Monday of the second week of the program. Each student chooses two elective courses for the remainder of the program, which will begin on July 9. Students are encouraged to visit the Municipal Court in Cambridge.

During the second and third week of classes there will be no classes on Fridays to provide three-day weekends for travel or study. The last day of classes will occur on July 29 and final examinations will be conducted on July 30 and 31 for the elective courses. Students may anticipate examinations for each course to be comparable to law exams administered in American Bar Association approved law schools in the United States. Exam papers are handwritten by students. The professor responsible for each course will both write and grade the applicable examination.

The English Legal System | LAW 753 (1)

This course is intended to provide students with an overview of the English Legal System as one of the constituent legal jurisdictions of the U.K. and how it is influenced by the European Union and how the U.K. functions without a written constitution. The development of European Union law and human rights law and recent reforms of the highest court of the land will be considered. The course will consider the effect of theU.K. leaving the European Union. Some topics will be considered on a comparative basis.

Shakespeare and the Law | Law 755 (2)

This course acquaints the student with the interdisciplinary field of Shakespearean and legal studies. An innovative methodology of trial work and close textual reading is employed. No dramatic or literary experience is required. The class will view trials in Shakespeare’s plays through live performances by the Cambridge Shakespeare Festival and the Globe Theatre in London. This course is hands-on learning of persuasive advocacy skills through classical dramatic exposure. This is a unique opportunity to experience the drama of the law while in the land of Shakespeare.

Global Issues in Education, Equality and Human Rights | LAW 798 (2)

In this course, students will examine Article 26 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights along with portions of subsequent global human rights treaties. Students will develop an understanding of the origins and evolution of international human rights law and how this body of law addresses issues of gender, children of war, oppressed classes, race and disability, with a particular focus on access to education and the promotion of equality. Students will examine how different nations use distinct judicial, legislative, administrative, or other measures to secure these internationally recognized rights in compliance (or not) with international law and assess what means are available to enforce international law to protect human rights.

Faculty and Administration

Lisa Lukasik

Lisa Lukasik is a nationally recognized authority in education law and policy. She has experience as a public school teacher in the U.S. and Europe, as a lawyer on behalf of American public schools, and as a state hearing review officer twice appointed by the North Carolina Board of Education under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and state law to resolve appeals of special education due-process complaints. She now serves as an assistant professor of law at Campbell University where she teaches a variety of courses in civil rights litigation, public school law, special education law, and torts. Lukasik is an honors graduate of both Washington University in St. Louis, where she was a member of Phi Beta Kappa, and the University of North Carolina School of Law, where she was a member of the Order of the Coif.

Tim McFarlin

Tim McFarlin teaches courses relating to property and contract law at Cumberland School of Law. He specializes in intellectual property such as copyrights, trademarks and patents. In his scholarship, McFarlin has explored how the law intersects and interacts with the creative arts. He has written about the life, work and disputes of artists like Mark Twain, Chuck Berry and Orson Welles, mining them for insights into copyright law and the concept of authorship. He has also written on innovative online teaching methods, integrating collaborative reading and open-source materials into legal education. McFarlin previously taught at the University of La Verne College of Law and Washington University in St. Louis, and was a fellow at Elon University School of Law. McFarlin practiced law as a civil litigator in St. Louis where he focused on intellectual property litigation. He obtained winning verdicts for clients as both first- and second-chair trial counsel. He earned his Juris Doctor from St. Louis University School of Law and bachelor’s degrees in history and political science from the University of Missouri.

Brian Rose-Smith

Brian Rose-Smith is a graduate of the University of East Anglia (B.A. Hons.) and the College of Law, London and was admitted as a solicitor in 1975 having passed the Solicitors’ Exams with a distinction in commercial law. He practiced as a criminal lawyer for 40 years until 2015 and conducted cases at all levels from the magistrates’ courts to the House of Lords as it then was, now the Supreme Court. As a defense attorney he specialized in asset forfeiture, confiscation and serious fraud and carried out investigations and inquiries in many foreign jurisdictions including the Arab Emirates, the Caribbean and countries of the European Union. He also lectured on the law of confiscation at the practice where he worked as part of a program of continuing education. Since 2015 he has been involved in the study of medieval history at Cambridge University and the University of East Anglia where he is currently undertaking a master’s degree.

Kimberly R. West

Kimberly R. West attended the University of Alabama, where she received her Juris Doctor in 1983. After graduation, West served as a law clerk to the Hon. Frank M. Johnson Jr., U.S. Circuit Court judge for the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals. She is a partner in the law firm of Wallace Jordan Ratliff & Brandt in Birmingham, Alabama. West practices in the area of pharmaceutical and mass tort litigation. In 2011, she was awarded a master’s degree in English Literature from the Sewanee School of Letters. West is a member of the Shakespeare Association of America, the Shakespeare Theatre Association and the International Shakespeare Association. West teaches Shakespeare and Trial Advocacy at Cumberland School of Law.

Kerry P. McInerney

Kerry McInerney is the director of graduate and international programs at Cumberland School of Law. McInerney is the former managing partner of Alabama and Mississippi Litigation for McCalla Raymer Leibert Pierce LLC. He joined McCalla after spending 20 years at Sirote & Permutt PC, now Dentons Sirote, where he devoted his career to financial services litigation and compliance. McInerney is an award-winning author and frequent lecturer and panelist on issues related to the financial services industry. McInerney is a graduate of Birmingham-Southern College (BA), Wayne State University (MA), and Cumberland School of Law of Samford University (JD, cum laude).

Admission Criteria

Program participation is limited to law students in good standing at an American Bar Association approved law school, graduates of approved law schools in their country of origin or residence, or members of the Bar.

All applications for admission must be accompanied by a $25 application fee which is non-refundable unless the application is rejected due to full enrollment, lack of sufficient student interest or domestic and/or international instability which is relevant to the program. A non-refundable deposit of $250 is required once the student is accepted. This deposit will be applied to housing and administration fees for students who do not withdraw from the program.

The program director recognizes that financial aid for legal studies may not be available until 10 days prior to the start of the program; hence, a deferred timeframe for payment, other than the application deposit, is satisfactory if the student has preregistered and informed the program director of an acceptable payment schedule.

Tuition and Fees

Application Fee: $25

This non-refundable fee begins the registration process, initiates participation in the program, and submits the student to the cancellation and refund policy.

Deposity: $250

Once admitted, a non-refundable deposit of $250 is due within 30 days of acceptance. Students failing to timely pay the deposit in full will be withdrawn from the program. The deposit will be applied to the housing and administration fees for students who do not withdraw from the program.

Tuition: $4,526

The maximum number of credit hours allowable pursuant to American Bar Association regulations for a program of this duration is five hours. The student will, therefore, be allowed to register for the one-hour course and two of the four two-hour courses offered.

Housing and Administration: $6,000

Students will be housed in Jesus College. Double rooms are not available to students. Visiting family members will need to make a hotel reservation. Breakfast  and lunch is included for registered students each class day. 

Lodging will be provided from June 28 and rooms at Jesus College must be vacated prior to 9:30 a.m. on Aug. 1. Dinner may be purchased in one of the many local restaurants convenient to the lodging. Dinner, other than the closing dinner on July 27, will not be provided.

Samford Global Office Foreign Fee: $100

University Graduate Program Fee: $300

Travel Insurance: $80.50

Total: $11,031.30

Financial Aid

Financial aid is available for qualified students. Questions regarding the financial aid process can be directed to Sheri Garrett in the Samford One Stop at 205-726-2905 or cgarret6@samford.edu. It is the student’s responsibility to provide a FAFSA and all necessary forms to receive financial aid to the university financial aid office.

General & Medical Release Forms

The university requires all students to complete general and medical releases from liability prior to participating in any university-sponsored travel or study abroad program. All forms must be submitted before an application is considered complete. Failure to submit the required forms will result in a student's enrollment in the summer study abroad program to be withdrawn.

Enrollment

Students must submit an application prior to the deadline to be considered for a seat. Accepted students will receive an email notifying them that a seat has been reserved, pending the student’s submission of all required documents, payments due, and verification by their institution of good academic standing.

Accessibility

The University of Cambridge strives to make the campus accessible to all users. The university acknowledges that students may encounter accessibility issues to certain facilities due to the ancient layout of the town and parts of the campus. Cumberland School of Law has no control over accessibility features not afforded by the University of Cambridge and makes no representations in that regard. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Cancellation and Withdrawal

If the course offerings change (not including a title change) or there are other significant changes to the program’s operation, these changes will be announced on the program’s website and students will be notified via email. Students already enrolled will have the option to withdraw from the program within two weeks from the date the change is announced by notifying Kerry McInerney, kpmciner@samford.edu, of the decision to withdraw. Any payments already made will be fully refunded within 28 days.

Student safety is a priority and students should be aware that domestic and/or international instability in a region or country can result in unexpected changes to or cancellation of a study abroad program where the university deems it necessary. The program also may be cancelled if there is insufficient enrollment or if unforeseen events make travel or staying in Cambridge unsafe. If this happens before the program begins, all deposits and tuition will be refunded within 28 days from the date the program is cancelled. Notifications will be sent via email and the website.

If the program must be cancelled after classes begin, refund(s) will be issued on a prorated basis for all tuition, fees, and housing costs, less the days already spent at the time of cancellation. Email will be the sole form of official communication for program cancellation.

Course Materials

On or before April 21, students will be provided with a list of course materials and/or textbooks necessary for program courses. This information will be provided via email. Students will need to bring their personal electronic devices for note taking and research, as may be needed. There are supply stores nearby should classroom supplies be necessary.

Credits and Grading

The credit hour calculation is based on the criteria specified by the ABA Criteria for Approval of Foreign Summer and Intersession Programs. For Cumberland Law students, the acceptance of credit or grade for any course taken in the program are governed by Cumberland’s Academic Standards policies and procedures. For non-Cumberland students, the acceptance of credit or grade for any course taken in the program is governed and subject to determination by the student’s home school. Class work and grading is treated with the same criteria and high standards as class work and grading held on the Cumberland School of Law campus.

Credit Cards and Passports

Before leaving the U.S., we recommend notifying credit and debit card companies of upcoming travel plans in order to avoid the inconvenience of transactions being declined due to fraud prevention. Most banks provide notification options via their online portals or bank app. Additionally, be sure to make a couple of copies of your passport to leave with a loved one in the U.S. and one in a safe place to travel with you. This copy will be very useful in the event your passport is misplaced and you need a new one.

Flights

Students are responsible for arranging their own flights to England and transportation to Jesus College at the University of Cambridge. Students often travel from the airport to Cambridge by way of England’s efficient public transit systems. London’s Heathrow airport (airport code LHR) is approximately 30 minutes by way of the London Underground subway system (the “Tube”) to London’s King’s Cross train station, which is approximately 45 minutes from Cambridge by train. The campus can also be reached by bus, taxi, or ride-sharing platforms, such as Uber.

Safety While Abroad

For the latest updates on travel advisories and safety information while in England, visit the U.S. Department of State - Bureau of Consular Affairs website for U.K. travel information. This resource provides important details on health and safety, entry requirements, and any current travel advisories. 

Please visit Samford Global for more information about health and safety while abroad. Students will be required to download the “Smart Traveler” app from the U.S. Department of State before departing for the program.

Contact Us

With questions, contact Kerry McInerney, director of international programs: kpmciner@samford.edu or 205-726-2543.

2026 Information 

Now in its third year, our Scotland study abroad program will host up to 20 students in historic Edinburgh, Scotland, beginning June 1, 2026, and concluding on July 1, 2026. Edinburgh is the capital of Scotland and home of two UNESCO World Heritage sites. Students are housed and take classes at the University of Edinburgh, a physically beautiful and globally elite institution currently ranked by U.S. News & World Report as the 34th best global university.

Known as the birthplace of golf, Scotland also boasts some of the world’s most amazing history, an abundances of castles, a unique culture and spectacular scenery. By train, Edinburgh is only 45 minutes from Glasgow, Scotland’s largest city, and four hours from London. With three long weekends built into the program, students can choose to explore Scotland, England and Wales, and other countries throughout Europe.

Special features:

• Intentionally small student cohort to facilitate experiential learning;
• Emphasis on advocacy skills and knowledge
• Students are given a private tour of the Scottish Parliament led by a member of Parliament;
• Students have the opportunity to observe proceedings in the Sheriff’s Court of Edinburgh with a private presentation from a sitting sheriff (trial judge);
• Students will participate in a continuing legal education seminar alongside both U.S. and U.K. attorneys seeking their CLE requirements in historic Edinburgh;
• And students will have the option to join a trip to Strasbourg, France, joining the Cambridge and Icleand students for a tour of the Parliament of the European Union, the Council of Europe, and the European Court of Human Rights.

The study abroad program was one of the most meaningful parts of my legal education so far. The courses helped me grow more confident in my skills and pushed me to think on my feet in a new environment. I had the chance to build close relationships with professors, which made the experience even more impactful. On top of that, being able to explore another part of the world while continuing my studies gave me a broader perspective that I know will shape the kind of lawyer I become.” — Makayela Bouldes

Curriculum

Students receive a total of 5 credit hours including 1 credit hour course required for all students and 2 electives totaling 4 hours of experiential credit:

The Scottish Legal System (1, required)

A comparative law course exploring the development and functioning of the legal system in Scotland, the role of the judiciary, and the current contrast to and interface of the Scottish legal system within the broader U.K. and that of foreign nations, such as the U.S. and the European Union. The course offers students a unique opportunity to understand the practical and academic aspects of the emerging constitutional basis for the European Union and its effects on the Scotland system of justice in a post-Brexit landscape.

The Art of Persuasion (2, experiential)

Classroom lectures and experiential learning exercises draw from advocacy, literature, public speaking, journalism, and acting to learn strategies and techniques designed to improve their ability to persuade. Students will learn the 5 P's of Professor Mac's Persuasion Process and apply them to written assignments, classroom exercises, and discussions. In so doing, students will learn the impact of story, body language, body placement and voice on the message they seek to convey. The objective of the course is to enhance the students’ presence through increased awareness and command of their bodies and voices as the instruments of advocacy. From the courtroom to the boardroom to the conference room, students will discover how to turn any presentation into a command performance.

Foundations of Advocacy: Analysis & Storytelling, Criminal (2, experiential)

This course will focus on the foundation of persuasive criminal advocacy: case theory and storytelling. Students begin by learning to identify the foundational factual, legal, and emotional theories of both prosecution and defense. Students will learn to present these theories in the form of a memorandum to the district attorney or the public defender and in a mock trial preparation meeting. This memorandum will serve as students’ roadmap in writing and delivery exercises. We then turn to the principles of storytelling and will discuss how to persuasively present factual, legal, and emotional theories in the narrative form. In this course, students will learn how to carry that narrative in opening statement and through the cross-examination of adverse witnesses. We will begin with the substance of persuasive storytelling in writing workshops; we then turn to delivery. Students will learn how to be comfortable while being uncomfortable, enabling them to deliver an authentically emotional and factual narrative that advances the case theory at every portion of a criminal trial.

Motions and Objections (2, experiential)

This course gives students the opportunity and challenge of applying the rules of evidence in the same fashion as practicing lawyers: via written motions, oral argument, and courtroom objections. This course involves participation in simulations during class sessions and written work outside of class. Topics include relevance, character evidence, hearsay and expert testimony.

Scotland CLE: The Art of Advocacy

Cumberland School of Law's third annual international CLE conference, The Art of Advocacy, will be held at the Balmoral Edinburgh in Edinburgh, Scotland, June 28–30, 2026. The CLE is designed to offer to practicing lawyers the persuasive advocacy techniques that modern lawyers need to represent their firms and their clients from the courtroom to the conference room to the board room. The Art of Advocacy  was launched in 2024 in conjunction with Cumberland School of Law’s inaugural Scotland summer study abroad program. Borrowing from themes of persuasion, the study abroad program introduces students to the basics of advocacy and students then have the opportunity to sit alongside practicing attorneys from the U.S. and the U.K. in this immersive, two-day program.

Faculty and Administration

Ramona C. Albin, Associate Professor of Law

Before joining the Cumberland School of Law faculty in 2017, Ramona Albin worked as an assistant United States attorney for the Northern District of Alabama for more than 10 years. Albin handled criminal trial and appellate litigation. She was also chief of the Appellate Division and argued numerous cases before the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals. Earlier in her career, Albin worked as an assistant district attorney in Texas and Massachusetts. Albin graduated from Wesleyan University, received her J.D. from the University of Texas School of Law, and a Master of Public Health from Boston University. She is a member of the Alabama, California, Massachusetts, Michigan and Texas bar organizations and is admitted to practice before the federal district courts in the Northern and Middle Districts of Alabama, the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals and the United States Supreme Court.

Lane Woodke

Lane Woodke teaches classes related to civil procedure and litigation, as well as employment discrimination at Cumberland School of Law. Before joining the Cumberland faculty, Woodke worked as an assistant U.S. attorney for the Northern District of Alabama for more than 21 years. She served as the chief of the Civil Division for her last 11 years. Woodke handled all aspects of Civil Litigation for the Northern District of Alabama.  Earlier in her career, Woodke worked at Huie, Fernambucq & Stewart in Birmingham, Alabama.  Prior to that she clerked for the Honorable Sharon Lovelace Blackburn in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Alabama.  She earned a BA in Political Science from The University of Alabama and a JD from The University of Alabama School of Law.  

Kerry P. McInerney

Kerry McInerney is the director of graduate and international programs at Cumberland School of Law. McInerney is the former managing partner of Alabama and Mississippi Litigation for McCalla Raymer Leibert Pierce LLC. He joined McCalla after spending 20 years at Sirote & Permutt PC, now Dentons Sirote, where he devoted his career to financial services litigation and compliance. McInerney is an award-winning author and frequent lecturer and panelist on issues related to the financial services industry. McInerney is a graduate of Birmingham-Southern College (BA), Wayne State University (MA), and Cumberland School of Law of Samford University (JD, cum laude).

Gillian More, International Adjunct Professor

Gillian More is a former prosecutor in the High Court of Justiciary Edinburgh where she held the position of advocate deputy in the Lord Advocate’s Department, Crown Office Edinburgh. A lifelong prosecutor, retiring after a career spent in public service where she held multiple positions, to include time as crown prosecutor in the High Courts of Justice. She has taught advocacy worldwide, for the National Institute of Trial Advocacy, Stetson University College of Law, Scottish Prosecution College Glasgow, University of Edinburgh, and courses in Ukraine and Istanbul. Recognized for her natural teaching skills, More has served as an integral part of Stetson’s Educating Advocates program and recently taught in Stetson’s overseas programs in Ireland and in London. She has also taught on the University of Strathclyde’s LL.M. in Communication Negotiation and Advocacy program. More is a lifelong resident of Scotland and serves as the resident Scottish comparative law professor for the Scotland program.

Admission Criteria

Program participation is limited to law students in good standing at an American Bar Association approved law school, graduates of approved law schools in their country of origin or residence, or members of the Bar.

All applications for admission must be accompanied by a $25 application fee which is non-refundable unless the application is rejected due to full enrollment, lack of sufficient student interest or domestic and/or international instability which is relevant to the program. A non-refundable deposit of $250 is required once the student is accepted. This deposit will be applied to housing and administration fees for students who do not withdraw from the program.

The program director recognizes that financial aid for legal studies may not be available until 10 days prior to the start of the program; hence, a deferred timeframe for payment, other than the application deposit, is satisfactory if the student has preregistered and informed the program director of an acceptable payment schedule.

Tuition and Fees

Application Fee: $25

This non-refundable fee begins the registration process, initiates participation in the program, and submits the student to the cancellation and refund policy.

Deposit: $250

Once admitted, a non-refundable deposit of $250 is due within 30 days of acceptance. Students failing to timely pay the deposit in full will be withdrawn from the program. The deposit will be applied to the housing and administration fees for students who do not withdraw from the program. 

Tuition: $4,526

The maximum number of credit hours allowable pursuant to American Bar Association regulations for a program of this duration is five hours. The student will, therefore, be allowed to register for the one-hour course and two of the four two-hour courses offered.

Housing and Administration Fees: $6,750 

Students will be housed at Pollock Halls at the University of Edinburgh in single ensuite rooms. This fee includes housing, breakfast and lunch on class days. All other meals are the responsibility of the student. 

Samford Global Office Foreign Fee: $100

University Graduate Program Fee: $300

Travel Insurance: $80.50

Total: $11,817.50

Financial Aid

Financial aid is available for the Scotland summer study abroad program for qualified students. Questions regarding the financial aid process can be directed to Sheri Garrett in the Samford One Stop at 205-726-2905 or cgarret6@samford.edu. It is the student’s responsibility to provide a FAFSA and all necessary forms to receive financial aid to the university financial aid office.

General & Medical Release Forms

The university requires all students to complete general and medical releases from liability prior to participating in any university-sponsored travel or study abroad program. All forms must be submitted before for your application is complete. Failure to submit the required forms will result in your enrollment in the Scotland summer study abroad program to be withdrawn.

Enrollment

The Scotland summer study abroad program is intentionally small and limited to no more than 24 students. Students must submit an application prior to the deadline to be considered for a seat. Accepted students will receive an email notifying them that a seat has been reserved, pending the student’s submission of all required documents, payments due, and verification of good academic standing at Cumberland School of Law.

Accessibility

The University of Edinburgh strives to make the campus accessible to all users. The University acknowledges that students may encounter accessibility issues to certain facilities due to the ancient layout of the town and parts of the campus. Cumberland School of Law has no control over accessibility features not afforded by the University of Edinburgh and makes no representations in that regard. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Cancellation and Withdrawal

If the course offerings change (not including a title change) or there are other significant changes to the program’s operation, these changes will be announced on the program’s website and you will be notified via email. If you are already enrolled, you will have the option to withdraw from the program within two weeks from the date the change is announced by notifying Kerry McInerney, kpmciner@samford.edu, of your decision to withdraw. Should you choose to withdraw, any payments you’ve made will be fully refunded within 28 days.

Student safety is a priority and students should be aware that domestic and/or international instability in a region or country can result in unexpected changes to or cancellation of a study abroad program where the university deems it necessary. The program also may be cancelled if there is insufficient enrollment or if unforeseen events make travel or staying in Edinburgh unsafe. If this happens before the program begins, all deposits and tuition will be refunded within 28 days from the date the program is cancelled. Notifications will be sent via email and the website.

If the program must be cancelled after classes begin, refund(s) will be issued on a prorated basis for all tuition, fees, and housing costs, less the days already spent at the time of cancellation. Email will be the sole form of official communication for program cancellation.

Course Materials

On or before April 21, you will be provided with a list of course materials and/or textbooks necessary for your courses. This information will be provided via email. You will need to bring your electronic device for note taking and research as may be needed for your respective courses. There are supply stores nearby should you need classroom supplies.

Credits and Grading

The credit hour calculation is based on the criteria specified by the ABA Criteria for Approval of Foreign Summer and Intersession Programs. For Cumberland Law students, the acceptance of credit or grade for any course taken in the program are governed by Cumberland’s Academic Standards policies and procedures. For non-Cumberland students, the acceptance of credit or grade for any course taken in the program is governed and subject to determination by the student’s home school. Class work and grading is treated with the same criteria and high standards as class work and grading held on the Cumberland School of Law campus.

Credit Cards and Passports

Before you leave the U.S., we recommend notifying your credit and debit card companies of your upcoming travel plans in order to avoid the inconvenience of your transactions being declined due to fraud prevention. Most banks provide notification options via their online portals or bank app. Additionally, be sure to make a couple of copies of your passport to leave with a loved one in the U.S. and one in a safe place to travel with you. This copy will be very useful in the event your passport is misplaced and you need a new one.

Flights

Students are responsible for arranging their own flights to Edinburgh and transportation to Pollock Halls Campus at the University of Edinburgh. The Edinburgh airport (airport code EDI) is approximately 25-30 minutes from Pollock Halls Campus, 18 Holyrood Park Road, Edinburgh.

Safety While Abroad

For the latest updates on travel advisories and safety information while in Scotland, visit the U.S. Department of State - Bureau of Consular Affairs website for U.K. travel information. This resource provides important details on health and safety, entry requirements, and any current travel advisories. Be sure to review this information prior to your trip.

Visit Samford Global for more information about health and safety while abroad. You will be required to download the “Smart Traveler” app from theU.S. Department of State before departing for the program.

Contact Us

With questions, contact Kerry McInerney, director of international programs: kpmciner@samford.edu or 205-726-2543.

2026 Information 

Now in its second year, our Iceland summer study abroad program will take place in Reykjavik, Iceland, June 21-July 10, 2026. Housed at the University of Iceland, the program is centered on the impact of environmental law on the world’s ecosystems and Reykjavik provides the ideal location for a study abroad program of this kind.

Reykjavik is the capital of Iceland and is among the cleanest, greenest and safest cities in the world. Reykjavik is one of the leaders in renewable energy and Iceland is known for its sustainable sources of energy and use of geothermal and hydropower to reduce reliance on fossil fuels. Iceland also integrates sustainability models in other areas such as tourism, fisheries, transportation and Reykjavik, the largest city in Iceland, is at the forefront of those efforts. Reykjavik is home to and surrounded by massive volcanos, extensive glaciers, bubbling geysers, and numerous waterfalls.

Special features:

• An intentionally small student cohort of no more than 16 students;
• Tour of the Supreme Court of Iceland with a private Q & A with the president (chief justice) of the Supreme Court of Iceland;
• Tour of the Icelandic Ministry of Finance;
• Tour of the Geothermal Plant and Carbfix Borehole at Reykjavik Energy Plant;
• Tour of Hvammvick Geothermal Pools;
• And the opportunity join an excursion to Strasbourg, France, to join students from the Cambridge and Edinburgh programs. There we'll tour the parliament of the European Union, the Council of Europe, and the European Court of Human Rights.

“I had a great experience in Iceland. Of all my courses, I enjoyed learning about the Icelandic legal system most of all, which is very different than U.S. law. This course provided me with a unique opportunity to confront these differences and reassess my understanding of the American legal system.” — Max Hudgins

Curriculum

Students receive a total of 3 credit hours comprising three 1 credit hour courses:

Comparative Land Use Law: The U.S. and Scandinavia (1)

This course compares and contrasts the U.S. and Scandinavian approaches to land use planning and regulation. The U.S., with its federal system of government, is decentralized, with state and local governments largely dictating land uses. Nordic countries (at least some) are centralized, with national governments dictating the terms of land use. This course compares and contrasts the two approaches, highlighting the pros and cons of each and the impact on their respective environments and natural resources.

Climate Change Impacts on Natural Resource (1)

Climate change poses a significant threat to natural resources around the globe. From sea level rise to forest impacts to interior urban flooding, policies that address climate change will be critical to mitigate societal and economic harms. This course explores the challenges posed by climate change and the federal, state and local government policies aimed at protecting natural resources, local economies and the people who live in climate-threatened communities.

The Icelandic Legal System (1)

This is a comparative law course designed to explore the differences between the Icelandic, E.U. and U.S. legal systems. The course looks at the priorities influencing the development of the respective legal systems and examines how each legal systems supports or impedes inevitable social change.

Faculty and Administration

Blake Hudson, Dean and Professor of Law

Blake Hudson came to Cumberland School of Law in 2022 after serving as the Samuel T. Dell professor of law and director of the Environmental Land Use and Real Estate Law Program at the University of Florida’s Levin College of Law. As a professor, Hudson teaches courses related to property, environmental and natural resources law. His research focuses on the intersection of land use law, policy, and planning with natural resource management, with particular emphasis on the role of forest management in combating climate change and the implications of land development for sustainable natural resource management.

His research has also centered on the complex role of private property rights and government institutions as solutions to common dilemmas and how federalism and constitutional structure have the potential to both complicate and resolve land use and natural resource management issues at the state, federal and international levels. He has published over 30 articles in legal and peer reviewed academic journals, 10 book chapters and three books.

Hudson obtained his bachelor’s degree in biology and history, with minors in prelaw and political science, from the University of Montevallo. He graduated with high honors from Duke University School of Law and received a Master of Environmental Science and Policy from Duke’s Nicholas School of the Environment.

William Grady Holt, Associate Director

A native of Lawrenceville, Georgia, William Holt received his Bachelor of Arts in geography from the University of Georgia where he was in the Honors Program graduating Phi Beta Kappa and received the UGA President’s Award. Holt completed a master’s in city planning from the College of Architecture at Georgia Tech graduating with honors. He holds a PhD from Yale University with a focus on urban and cultural sociology as well as a JD in environmental and energy law from Vermont Law School where he was a Schweitzer Fellow with Dartmouth College.

Holt started his planning career while at Georgia Tech working on the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta with Central Atlanta Progress and the Atlanta Community Design Center. He served as a community planner with the National Capital Planning Commission in Washington, D.C., on the 2050 Monumental Core Plan updates of the 1791 L’Enfant and 1902 McMillan Plans for the national capital. While at Vermont Law School, he interned with the Institute for Energy and the Environment and the Vermont Public Service Commission.

Prior to coming to Samford, Holt served as the program coordinator for Birmingham-Southern College’s (BSC) Urban Environmental Studies Program as well as co-chair for the Architectural Studies major. Also, Holt redeveloped the curriculum to re-establish the sociology program. Through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s College/Underserved Community Partnership Program (CUPP), he collaborated with Bessemer, Alabama to develop engaged learning programs for site remediation and redevelopment as well as an ethnographic industrial history community data base of citizens’ videos. BSC recognized Holt with the Whetstone Award for outstanding junior faculty and Randall Award for student organization advising.

Siguduor Helgason, International Adjunct Professor

Helgason is currently Associate Counsel with the Confederation of Icelandic Businesses. Helgason attended the Commercial College of Iceland with majors in physics and natural science, University of Iceland with a Bachelor of Laws degree and Magister Juris degree. Helgason has served as a District Court Attorney, Associate Counsel with Juris, and Counsel for Frigus, and Associate Counsel with Lagastod law firm. Helgason has taught law students at the University of Iceland in the areas of Contracts, Torts, and Procedure. Helgason has coached law students to participate in the Commercial College of Iceland competition from 2010 – 2015 as well as participated as a student in the Nordic Moot Court competitions conducted in Swedish, Danish, and Norwegian. Helgason is fluent in Icelandic, English, German, Danish, and Swedish. Helgason studied in Cambridge, England 2000 to 2001 and in Gothenburg, Sweden, summer 2010 and fall 2015.

Tona M. Hitson, Director of Law Student Services

Tona Hitson attended the University of Georgia, where she earned her BBA in finance at UGA's Terry College of Business. She then attended Cumberland School of Law where she earned her Juris Doctorate. While in law school, Hitson was on the Dean’s List, clerked with the U.S. Attorney’s office for the Northern District of Alabama, served as managing editor of the American Journal of Trial Advocacy, worked as a student member of the Center for Law and Civic education, and was a member of the Honor Court. After law school, Hitson worked for a lobbying firm in Washington, D.C. She returned to Birmingham to work for a local litigation firm and then worked as associate counsel for AIG Baker Properties LLC. After several years serving as her household manager and caretaker of four beautiful children, she returned to serve as the director of student services at Cumberland in 2019. Hitson will serve as co-program director while in Iceland.

Admission Criteria

Program participation is limited to law students in good standing at an American Bar Association approved law school, graduates of approved law schools in their country of origin or residence, or members of the Bar.

All applications for admission must be accompanied by a $25 application fee which is non-refundable unless the application is rejected due to full enrollment, lack of sufficient student interest or domestic and/or international instability which is relevant to the program. A non-refundable deposit of $250 is required once the student is accepted. This deposit will be applied to housing and administration fees for students who do not withdraw from the program.

The program director recognizes that financial aid for legal studies may not be available until 10 days prior to the start of the program; hence, a deferred timeframe for payment, other than the application deposit, is satisfactory if the student has preregistered and informed the program director of an acceptable payment schedule.

Tuition and Fees

Application Fee: $25

This non-refundable fee begins the registration process, initiates participation in the program, and submits the student to the cancellation and refund policy.

Deposit: $250

Once admitted, a non-refundable deposit of $250 is due within 30 days of acceptance. Students failing to timely pay the deposit in full will be withdrawn from the program. The deposit will be applied to the housing and administration fees for students who do not withdraw from the program.

Tuition: $2,662

Students receive three credit hours towards graduation for classes taken during the Iceland summer study abroad program. Each student will be registered for three (3) one-hour courses.

Housing and Administration Fees: $6,000 

Students will be housed at the University of Iceland Student Hostel in single ensuite rooms. This fee includes housing, breakfast and lunch on class days. All other meals are the responsibility of the student.

Samford Global Office Foreign Fee: $100

University Graduate Program Fee: $300

Travel Insurance: $48.30

Total: $9,135.30

Financial Aid

Financial aid is available for the Iceland summer study abroad program for qualified students. Questions regarding the financial aid process can be directed to Sheri Garrett in the Samford One Stop at 205-726-2905 or cgarret6@samford.edu. It is the student’s responsibility to provide a FAFSA and all necessary forms to receive financial aid to the university financial aid office.

General & Medical Release Forms

The university requires all students to complete general and medical releases from liability prior to participating in any university-sponsored travel or study abroad program. All forms must be submitted before for your application is complete. Failure to submit the required forms will result in your enrollment in the Iceland summer study abroad program to be withdrawn.

Enrollment

The Iceland summer study abroad program is intentionally small and limited to no more than 16 students. Students must submit an application prior to the deadline to be considered for a seat. Accepted students will receive an email notifying them that a seat has been reserved, pending the student’s submission of all required documents, payments due and verification of good academic standing at Cumberland School of Law.

Accessibility

The University of Iceland strives to make the campus accessible to all users. Cumberland School of Law has no control over accessibility features not afforded by the University of Iceland and makes no representations in that regard. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Cancellation and Withdrawal

If the course offerings change (not including a title change) or there are other significant changes to the program’s operation, these changes will be announced on the program’s website and you will be notified via email. If you are already enrolled, you will have the option to withdraw from the program within two weeks from the date the change is announced by notifying Kerry McInerney, kpmciner@samford.edu, of your decision to withdraw. Should you choose to withdraw, any payments you’ve made will be fully refunded within 28 days.

Student safety is a priority and students should be aware that domestic and/or international instability in a region or country can result in unexpected changes to or cancellation of a study abroad program where the university deems it necessary. The program also may be cancelled if there is insufficient enrollment or if unforeseen events make travel or staying in Reykjavik unsafe. If this happens before the program begins, all deposits and tuition will be refunded within 28 days from the date the program is cancelled. Notifications will be sent via email and the website.

If the program must be cancelled after classes begin, refund(s) will be issued on a prorated basis for all tuition, fees, and housing costs, less the days already spent at the time of cancellation. Email will be the sole form of official communication for program cancellation.

Course Materials

On or before April 21, you will be provided with a list of course materials and/or textbooks necessary for your courses. This information will be provided via email. You will need to bring your electronic device for note taking and research as may be needed for your respective courses. There are supply stores nearby should you need classroom supplies.

Credits and Grading

The credit hour calculation is based on the criteria specified by the ABA Criteria for Approval of Foreign Summer and Intersession Programs. For Cumberland Law students, the acceptance of credit or grade for any course taken in the program are governed by Cumberland’s Academic Standards policies and procedures. For non-Cumberland students, the acceptance of credit or grade for any course taken in the program is governed and subject to determination by the student’s home school. Class work and grading is treated with the same criteria and high standards as class work and grading held on the Cumberland School of Law campus.

Credit Cards and Passports

Before you leave the U.S., we recommend notifying your credit and debit card companies of your upcoming travel plans in order to avoid the inconvenience of your transactions being declined due to fraud prevention. Most banks provide notification options via their online portals or bank app. Additionally, be sure to make a couple of copies of your passport to leave with a loved one in the U.S. and one in a safe place to travel with you. This copy will be very useful in the event your passport is misplaced and you need a new one.

Flights

Students are responsible for arranging their own flights to Reykjavik and transportation to the Student Hostel at the campus of the University of Iceland. The Reykjavik (Keflavik) airport (airport code KEF) is approximately 25-30 minutes from campus, Hringbraut 29, Reykjavík 101, 5102828.

Safety While Abroad

For the latest updates on travel advisories and safety information while in Iceland, visit the U.S. Department of State - Bureau of Consular Affairs website for Iceland travel information. This resource provides important details on health and safety, entry requirements, and any current travel advisories. 

Visit Samford Global for more information about health and safety while abroad. You will be required to download the “Smart Traveler” app from the U.S. Department of State before departing for the program.

Contact Us

With questions, contact Kerry McInerney, director of international programs: kpmciner@samford.edu or 205-726-2543.

Under a cooperative arrangement between Cumberland School of Law and The Norwich Law School at the University of East Anglia in Norwich, England, British law students have the opportunity to study in the U.S., and Cumberland School of Law graduates have the opportunity to study in the U.K. Participating Norwich LLB students spend a year at Cumberland School of Law after their second year of legal studies at Norwich. Two Cumberland JD graduates each year are awarded full-tuition scholarships for studies toward an LLM degree at Norwich.