The University of San Diego School of Law
The Foundation of Academic Excellence
Our faculty is the foundation of the University of San Diego School of Law. As well-published, internationally recognized experts with a passion for inspiring the next generation of legal minds, they come to campus ready to evolve our students' thinking, impart practical skills, and offer irreplaceable mentorship. Our faculty's accessibility and approachability foster a collaborative and supportive environment. Their experience allows them to bridge the gap between theory and practice in a way that stays with our graduates as they continue on to their careers.
Clarifying, Modernizing and Improving the Law
Faculty Honors and Affiliations
The USD School of Law faculty members are accomplished scholars and teachers. They are recipients of prestigous awards and members of leading organizations. Check out some of the many honors our faculty have received and organizations with which they are affiliated.
Faculty Academic Excellence
Scholarship Highlights
The distinguished faculty of the USD School of Law engages in important research, thought-provoking insight and knowledgeable expertise, producing scholarly works that demonstrate thought leadership and significantly evolve the legal landscape.
Faculty Highlights
Faculty in Focus: Professor Mary Jo Wiggins
Meet Professor Mary Jo Wiggins. Professor Wiggins served as the law school’s associate dean for academic affairs from 2006-2011 and the law school's vice dean from 2011-2016. Now she teaches courses in property, remedies, land use, debtor-creditor law, and bankruptcy.
ALI Faculty
American Law Institute
Several members of the USD School of Law faculty have been recognized by the American Institute of Law (ALI) for their exemplary accomplishments, dedication to advancing legal education and influential mentorship.
Visiting Research Associates
Visiting Research Associates
The University of San Diego School of Law offers a select group of Visiting Research Associates the opportunity to conduct research and participate in program presentations, colloquiums, and events at the law school during the visit period.
Only international professors (limited to full-time academics currently affiliated with an international university) who wish to conduct research in San Diego for an extended period of time (one semester or a year) are eligible to apply for this program.
Research Resources
As one of the premier academic law libraries in the country, the Pardee Legal Research Center (LRC) supports the educational and research needs of the law school community. In addition to a robust print collection, the LRC provides access to numerous online databases that support both legal and interdisciplinary research.
As a Visiting Research Associate, you will have full access to our print collection, in addition to most of our online databases, to the extent that access is allowed by our vendor license agreements. You will also be able to consult with our highly-skilled and deeply experienced team of professional librarians and staff who can help you locate the resources that you need.
Program Costs and Requirements
Subject to availability and visa requirements.
Applicants are required to cover the program cost of $5,000 for the period of their requested visit, which can be no more than one year.
An official English language competency test score submitted directly from the reporting agency. Accepted English Language proficiency exams of TOEFL (minimum score of 75 on internet-based test), or IELTS (minimum score of 6.0 on academic test).
The law school must have a faculty member that is available and able to work with the visitor in the research area.
For more information, please contact:
Dr. Karen Sigmond
Assistant Dean of Graduate, International and Certificate Programs
University of San Diego School of Law
5998 Alcalá Park
San Diego, CA 92110 USA
Phone: (619) 260-5980
lawgradprograms@sandiego.edu