ABA Approval
All of our programs have been approved by the Accreditation Committee of the ABA Section of Legal Education.
Attendance
Attendance is mandatory. Students are expected to read and prepare material in advance, and to participate actively in class discussion led by the professor.
Grading:
Except as otherwise indicated, all courses are graded on the basis of the final examination and class discussion under USD’s grading system, under which the high grade is A+, the low grade is F, and the average grade is between B and B+. For tutorials, the grade is based on the student’s papers and the discussion of them between the student and the tutor. The International Business Internship and the London Internships are graded High Pass, Pass, Low Pass or Fail based on the work the student does at the internship placement, the paper the student writes, and the discussion between the student and the internship supervisor.
Continuing Legal Education Credit
The Institute will request that Continuing Legal Education credit be granted for hours spent in each course from state bars with CLE requirements. Please provide our office with the paperwork required by your jurisdiction to obtain credit as soon as possible. The University of San Diego School of Law has been approved as a provider of Minimum Continuing Legal Education credit by the State Bar of California. Each 2-credit course listed herein will qualify for MCLE credit in the amount of 23 hours of general credit; each 3-credit course, 35 hours of general credit. E-mail lazer@sandiego.edu for more information.
Credits and Residence
If your school will not accept credit for any course on an Institute, or will not grant appropriate residence, please contact Ms. King directly at (619)-260-4597 phone, by fax (619)-260-2230, or e-mail - cking@sandiego.edu Tell her what your school is unwilling to accept, who the decision-making person at your school is (along with that person’s phone number and e-mail), and why that person says that your school will not accept the course. Denial of credit or residence frequently results from misunderstanding that can be eliminated by direct conversation between the Director and your Dean. It is unlikely that participation in a single Institute (other than Moscow) may be used to accelerate graduation. Some schools will permit two Institutes to be part of a plan to accelerate graduation. Consult your home school and ABA Standard 305, Interpretation 4.
Current LL.M. students
Current USD LL.M. students may elect to have Institute courses credited towards their degree with prior approval from the Graduate Programs office. Please contact Leslie Morsek, Graduate Programs Coordinator at lmorsek@sandiego.edu or (619)-260-4596 to discuss your plan of study.
Exams: Special Needs
USD’s in-class examinations must be at least 2 hours, and cannot exceed 4 hours, in length. All exams are handwritten; on our Institutes, computers may not be used during exams, either to write the exam, or to access your notes. Exams are never given in advance.
It is USD’s policy to make reasonable accommodations in exam procedures where necessary. If you are unable to take exams under normal circumstances, please have your home school write us a letter specifying what adjustments it makes to accommodate your exam-taking ability. Usually, these adjustments involve things like extra time, a quiet room, or note takers. Please discuss any special exam-taking needs with us in advance.
Facilities: Special Needs
Housing and other facilities in some foreign locations are below U.S. standards for handicap access, noise insulation, fire safety, lighting, comfort, or cleanliness, as they were constructed in prior eras and to more Spartan standards. Special diets, such as vegetarian, may be difficult to accommodate. Feel free to discuss any special requirements you might have with us.
Final Information
Final information on transport, housing, climate, clothing, medicine, medical insurance, money, traveler's checks, credit cards, mail, customs, student identification cards, excursions, refunds will be sent to applicants by e-mail in the spring.
Guarantee
Institutes are guaranteed to be held subject only to minor adjustments due to emergencies, or subject to force majeure. No minimum number of students is required to operate an Institute. USD has never cancelled an advertised Institute.
In the unlikely event that a program is cancelled due to force majeure, such as civil war or epidemic, USD will notify you immediately by e-mail, will use its best efforts to help you find an alternate program satisfactory to you, and will send you a refund check of all moneys paid to USD within 2 weeks.
Immunizations
No inoculations are required; a tetanus booster is advised. If you will be staying in Russia for more than 3 months, a current AIDS test is required.
LL.M. Programs and Students
USD offers several Master of Laws (LL.M.) degrees, including one in International Law for graduates of ABA accredited law schools, an LL.M in Comparative Law for persons with a law degree from outside the U.S., and a nationally recognized LL.M. in Taxation. Good performance in a summer program abroad may be a factor favorably considered in applications for admission to LL.M. candidacy. Students who are admitted to one of the LL.M. programs may petition to begin their program abroad through the Institute with prior permission of the Assistant Dean. You may also contact Meredith D'Angelo, Graduate Programs office or call (619)-260-4596.
Mentor Program
The Institute introduces interested students to Institute alumni, who aid their transition from academe to the working world.
Non-Discrimination
The Institute does not discriminate on grounds of race, color, age, ancestry, handicap, religion, sexual orientation, or national origin of students in admission to or operation of its programs.
Placement
The placement facilities of the Institute are available to our participants. With more than 7,500 former participants, many of whom now have hiring responsibilities, this can be useful in seeking international law jobs.
Privileges
A person who successfully completes an Institute receives a Certificate of Completion (normally sent in January) suitable for framing and may note on her or his curriculum vitae "Diploma, Paris (or London, Oxford, Dublin, Florence, Barcelona, Russia Institute on International and Comparative Law, University of San Diego". (S)he receives placement information on international law opportunities, the annual newsletter, and one condition for the Participants Scholarship described below under "Financial Aid" will be met. (S)he may participate in the Mentor Program.
Program Costs
In addition to the tuition and housing costs listed on each site's budgets, students should expect to pay for round trip transportation to the site. Food, entertainment, laundry, public transportation, and touristic costs should not exceed those that would be incurred by a foreign tourist in New York. Each program has its own program costs. These costs are located under the "Costs/Budget/Financial Info/Expenses" drop down menu for each program.
Tax Deductions
A lawyer, professor, or judge who enrolls to maintain or improve skills used in the legal professions may deduct the tuition, airfare, room and 50% of meal costs under most circumstances under Treas. Regs. §§1.162-5 and 1.274-4, subject to a 2% floor for employees.
U.S. State Department Travel Advisories
The United States Department of State publishes "Country Specific Information" for every country in the world that is useful for travelers, especially information on types of crime, health conditions, and security threats. We recommend that you consult these CSI reports for every country you plan to visit. They can be found at Travel Information
Why USD?
There are more than one hundred overseas programs. USD's programs are chosen most because:
- outstanding faculty
- student body with substantial participation of lawyers, judges, foreign students, and from schools throughout the U.S.
- small classes
- tutorial and clinical education available
- experienced, personalized administration
- placement advantages
- mentor program
- locations in major interesting cities
- tuition includes required books and/or photocopy materials, reducing hidden extra costs.
Ahlers Center for International Business - Study Abroad Programs