Academics: Faculty

Visiting Professors

International and U.S. law professors who wish to visit San Diego for an extended period of time may inquire about teaching opportunities or the use of the Pardee Legal Research Center and other university resources during their stay. Subject to availability and visa requirements.

For more information, please contact:

Mary Jo Wiggins, Associate Dean and Professor of Law
University of San Diego School of Law
5998 Alcalá Park
San Diego, CA 92110
USA
Phone: (619) 260-4587
Fax: (619) 260-6815

 

International Scholars Seminar

We are pleased to announce that the Fall 2009 session of our International Scholars Seminar will be held from August 2009 to February 2010. 

The International Scholars Seminar (ISS or the Seminar) provides an exciting opportunity for international judges, attorneys, law professors and government officials to participate in specialized workshops designed to facilitate their study of the U.S. Legal System in a comparative context.  The structure of the Seminar is as follows:

• ISS participants will gather several times during the term for a series of full-day and half-day workshops with members of the law school faculty, the judiciary, and the legal profession to review in a comparative context topics such as:
  • Overview of U.S. Legal System;
  • Evidence;
  • Civil Litigation;
  • Criminal Procedure;
  • Court visit and trial observation; and
  • Negotiation and Dispute Resolution.

• ISS participants will be invited to attend all School of Law lectures and events.

The Seminar is coordinated by the Graduate Programs Office under the direction of Professor-in-Residence John I. Forry. 

International Scholars Seminar Applicants

The Seminar is open to a limited number of applicants each term.  Applicants should have a law degree and must be at least a mid-career professional in law, government, or business.  We especially encourage judges, law professors, and officials involved in legal and judicial reform to apply for the Seminar.  ISS participant applications will not be reviewed until all required documents are submitted.  Incomplete applications will not be considered.  Please note that it may be possible for ISS scholars to stay for an additional six month extended research period to utilize the School of Law’s resources (for an additional fee of $1,000).  Applicants who wish to stay for more than six months must submit a written request, obtain prior approval and maintain appropriate visa status.  Information about the structure of the Seminar is available below, and more detailed information will be available closer to the start date of the program. 

To apply to begin the Seminar in August 2009, please submit the following documents by March 31, 2009:

• A completed LL.M. Program application (please check the box marked Visitor);
• A certified, translated graduate school transcript;
• A current curriculum vitae or resume;
• A 1–2 page statement of purpose;
• One letter of recommendation;
• An official TOEFL score report (minimum score of 70 on internet-based test), or other sufficient indication of the applicant's satisfactory level of English language competency;
• A $50 non-refundable application fee (checks must be drawn on a U.S. bank and should be made payable to the University of San Diego);
• All financial documentation required to obtain a Form DS-2019 Certificate of Visa Eligibility (please see the Visa Status section below for financial certification details; and
• All health insurance documentation required to obtain a Form DS-2019 Certificate of Visa Eligibility (please see the Visa Status section below for health insurance certification details).

After notification of acceptance to the ISS program, accepted participants must submit a non-refundable $200 deposit to hold their place in the Seminar.  Please note that this deposit will be credited toward the total cost of the Seminar. 

Please submit all ISS application materials to the following address:

Meredith D'Angelo
Student Services Coordinator and DSO
University of San Diego School of Law
Warren Hall 207
5998 Alcalá Park
San Diego, CA 92110-2492
USA

International Scholars Seminar Costs

Seminar participants will pay a fee of US $5,000.  This Seminar fee includes participation in each of the several full-day and half-day workshops and University privileges.  All Seminar participants will receive a University of San Diego identification card that will grant them full library privileges and access to all university facilities and events.  The law school cannot provide office space, copy services, or secretarial assistance. Seminar participants are encouraged to bring laptops and make use of the free wireless service that is available throughout the School of Law and Pardee Legal Research Center.  In order to remain at the University for an additional six-month extended research period, an ISS scholar must submit a written request, obtain prior approval and appropriate visa status, and pay an additional fee of $1,000.

The law school regrets that it cannot offer financial assistance or fee waivers for this Seminar.

International Scholars Seminar Visa Status

Seminar participants will receive J-1 Visa (short-term scholar) status. This status will grant participants a visa with a maximum stay in the United States of six months.  The Graduate Programs Office will work with the Office of International Students and Scholars to gather the documentation required to issue a Form DS-2019 (Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor (J-1) Status).

In order to receive a Form DS-2019, participants must provide original documentation in English from a bank or financial institution (photocopies are not acceptable) proving that they have sufficient funds to pay for the Seminar and to meet living expenses while in the United States. If a business or agency (such as a law firm or government) is providing the financial support for the Seminar, participants must submit a notarized affidavit in English from the organization stating their intent to support them. Seminar participants bringing a spouse or children into the United States will need to demonstrate additional funds to cover the expenses of each person.

An outline of the total costs that must be proved is as follows:

Seminar Fee:	$5,000.00	US
Living Expenses:	$11,000.00	US
Spouse:	$4,800.00	US
First child:	$1,500.00	US
Additional children:	$1,050.00	US per child

Please note that applicants who wish to remain for longer than six months must also provide documentation of additional funds, including enough to cover the additional study fee and the living expenses for the participant and any dependents for an additional six month period.

In addition, federal law requires the following: all J-1 program participants must provide proof of health insurance coverage before a Form DS-2019 can be issued. At a minimum, the insurance shall cover: (1) medical benefits of at least $50,000 per person per accident or illness; (2) repatriation of remains in the amount of $7,500; and (3) expenses associated with medical evacuation in the amount of $10,000.  A policy secured to fulfill the insurance requirements shall not have a deductible that exceeds $500 per accident or illness, and must meet other standards specified in the regulations. Willful failure on the scholar's part to maintain the required insurance will result in the termination of his/her exchange visitor status.

If you have additional questions about the Seminar or the application process, please contact the Graduate Programs Office.