Information for Visiting Scholars and Professors
International Scholars Seminar
New – Beginning August 2008
The School of Law is pleased to announce its new International Scholars Seminar (ISS). This Seminar will take place each fall and spring semester, allowing international law professors, government officials, judges and mid-career and senior attorneys to participate in specialized workshops and other events.
International Scholars Seminar Structure
The Seminar will take place twice each year. Our first enrollment will be August 2008 – January 2009. The structure of the Seminar is as follows:
- ISS participants will gather several times during the semester 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 topics in a comparative context 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 law school lectures and events. For examples of the annual events at the law school, please see our events listing.
The Seminar is coordinated by the Graduate Programs Office under the direction of Professor John Forry.
International Scholars Seminar Applicants
The International Scholars Seminar is open to a limited number of applicants each semester. Applicants must 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.
To apply for the Seminar, the following materials are required:
- A completed LL.M. Program application (please check the box marked Visitor). (Download Application PDF);
- A certified, translated law school transcript;
- A current curriculum vitae or resume;
- A 1–2 page statement of purpose;
- At least one letter of recommendation;
- Indication of the applicant's level of English language competency (excellent, very good, good, fair or poor). If the applicant has taken the TOEFL or another English language exam, please provide the exam score; and
- 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).
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
For priority consideration, please submit your materials no later than May 30, 2008.
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.
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 |
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:
- medical benefits of at least $50,000 per person per accident or illness;
- repatriation of remains in the amount of $7,500; and
- 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.
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.
For more information, please contact:
Professor Mary Jo Wiggins
Associate Dean
Warren Hall 200
5998 Alcalá Park
San Diego, CA 92110-2492
Phone: (619) 260-4587
Fax: (619) 260-6815
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