U.S. Law and Policy Program for International Professionals

Scholars can choose to participate in the U.S. Law and Policy Program for 6, 12 or 24 months. Program activities, including the welcome ceremony, class presentations, special trips, and the completion ceremony, are scheduled during the Fall and Spring terms. We recommend that you begin the U.S. Law and Policy Program in August or January for maximum program benefits. Prospective Scholars should contact the Program Director to explore varied completion or start times. We also consider requests to enroll in an "executive" program, offering a customized 90-day or shorter session for Scholars who may be unable to commit to a longer program when studying law in America. Interested applicants should contact the Program Director to discuss eligibility, scheduling, content, and cost.

In circumstances of demonstrated need to continue research and with approval from the Program Director, scholars with a 12-month term may be granted an extension (in 6-month increments) to extend their research period. Per federal J-1 visa regulations, scholars with an initial term of 6-months of less (i.e., short-term scholars) are not eligible for a program extension. Fees for the extension period must be paid in advance and are based on the requested extension length.

Non-U.S. professionals in government, business or law are eligible to apply for the U.S. Law and Policy Program. To apply, applicants need to submit the following materials. These documents may be initially provided via email, but original copies must be received within a week after admission:

• A completed U.S. Law and Policy Program application
• A current curriculum vitae or resume, written in English
• A brief research proposal, written in English
• At least one letter of recommendation
• Official English language competency test score directly from the reporting agency (TOEFL minimum score of 75 on internet-based test or IELTS minimum score of 6.0 on academic test)
• Alternatively, the Program Director may interview the applicant by telephone to confirm English proficiency
• A non-refundable $150 application fee

Accepted scholars must submit a non-refundable deposit of $500 by June 1 for the Fall term or November 1 for the Spring term to reserve a spot in the program. Applicants accepted after these dates must submit the deposit within five business days after acceptance to the law study in the U.S. The deposit will be credited towards the total program cost. Accepted scholars must submit all required documentation for obtaining a Form DS-2019 Certificate of Visa Eligibility. Refer to the Visa Information tab for detailed instructions. All application materials can be submitted via email to lawgradprograms@sandiego.edu or mailed to the Office of Graduate and International Programs at the provided address:

OFFICE OF GRADUATE AND INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMS
University of San Diego School of Law
Warren Hall, Room 218
5998 Alcalá Park
San Diego, CA 92110-2492 USA
Tel. +1 (619) 260-7584

For priority consideration, application materials must be received by May 1 for the Fall term or October 1 for the Spring term. The U.S. Law and Policy Program is contingent upon sufficient participant enrollment. The University of San Diego reserves the right to cancel the program for the Fall term by June 1 and for the Spring term by November 1. In the event of cancellation, deposits will be refunded. However, the University of San Diego is not obligated to secure alternative placements for admitted applicants.

Program fees and costs are dependent on the U.S. Law and Policy Program length designated by the scholar as indicated below:

• 6-Month Program - $8,750
• 12-Month Program - $13,000
• 24-Month Program - $21,000

The above program fees encompass comprehensive program enrollment and participation. For prospective scholars seeking a customized program length, please reach out to the Program Director to discuss applicable fees.

In certain cases, scholars may be granted extensions in increments of 6 or 12 months. Effective May 10, 2024, extension fees increased to $6,750 and $9,750, respectively. Extensions requested on or after May 10, 2024 are subject to the increased fee. Please note that extensions must be requested no later than 12 weeks before a scholar's program end date.

As a program participant, you will receive a University of San Diego identification card, granting you access to library resources, university facilities, and university events. We encourage you to bring your own laptop to make the most of the wireless service available throughout the law school and the Legal Research Center.

Please note that financial assistance, housing, office space, and secretarial support are not provided by the law school. To assist you in planning your law study in America, here is a breakdown of the total costs for the twelve-month program:

For the 6-month program, the total costs that must be documented include the program fee of $8,750, plus half the living expenses listed above for each category of scholar and dependent.

*All program fees and costs are subject to change as we continuously strive to provide the best experience for our scholars.

A valid J-1 Exchange Visitor Visa is required for scholars who wish to conduct research in the United States. The specific category and associated conditions of the J-1 visa will depend on the program you are attending. The law school's Designated School Offical (DSO), in collaboration with the Office of International Students and Scholars (OISS), will guide and assist you in obtaining the necessary Form DS-2019 (Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor (J-1) Status).

To obtain Form DS-2019, you will be required to provide documentation in English from a bank or financial institution, demonstrating that you have the required funds to cover the program costs and your living expenses while in the United States. If your program is financially supported by a business or agency, such as a law firm or government entity, you must submit a supporting letter in English from the organization, confirming its intent to provide you with financial support. Additionally, if you plan to bring your spouse or dependent children with you to the United States, you will need to demonstrate the required funds or financial support to cover their expenses as well. Please note that visa regulations and requirements are subject to change in accordance with U.S. government and other relevant regulations.

All J-1 visa scholars, including your dependents, are required to have health insurance coverage throughout your J-1 research program. You should be prepared to submit evidence of a compliant health insurance plan from your home country. Per federal regulations, health insurance coverage must include the following features:

• Effective throughout the program's entire duration and renewable for continuous coverage;
• Minimum dollar coverage of at least $100,000 per illness or injury (not the same as $100,000 maximum benefit)
• Outpatient care (doctor visits, outpatient surgery, etc.)
• Hospitalization
• Repatriation for at least $25,000
• Medical evacuation for at least $50,000
• Cost of deductible, if any (cost of deductible must not exceed $500 per accident or illness)

All incoming scholars must provide proof of health insurance coverage before arriving in the United States. Failure to maintain the required insurance may result in the termination of the scholar's J-1 exchange visitor status. For more details on the health insurance requirement, please visit the OISS website.

Our dedicated Off-Campus Housing team is ready to support you and provide you with valuable housing resources. If you plan to bring your vehicle to campus, please note that a valid parking permit or parking code is required. Scholars are provided with a parking code for convenient access to USD campus during the program.