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Pepperdine | Caruso School of Law

Visiting Researcher Program

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Pepperdine University Caruso School of Law invites faculty and practitioners in law and dispute resolution from around the world to visit Pepperdine as a J1 Visiting Research Scholar.

A Visiting Scholar must meet these requirements:

  • A university faculty or member of the legal or governmental profession with significant education or accomplishments in their home country.
  • English language proficiency (test or experience in an English-speaking country).
  • Verified funding by home institution. (Funding required: $2500/month, $1500/month for a spouse, $750/month per child. At least 50 percent must be from home institution.)
  • Health insurance coverage throughout the program, through IIE.org or independently.
  • Not have participated in a previous J-1 program in the last 24 months.

Program Costs

The cost for the Visiting Scholar Program is $10,000 tuition, plus visa fees to the Institute of International Education (IIE). Pepperdine Caruso School of Law provides the following:

  • Access to Pepperdine faculty advisors
  • Audit up to 4 academic courses
  • A free place in one of the award-winning Straus training programs:

Mediating the Litigated Case (held throughout the year)

Women's Negotiation Academy  

Application Process

An application for the J-1 Visiting Scholar program consists of the following: Research Proposal outlining research interests and a proposed time frame

  • Application, including a research statement
  • A $1,400 non-refundable visa deposit. The remaining tuition ($10,000) will be payable upon arrival.  Read deposit information. 
  • Health Insurance Waiver
  • Photocopy of your passport (and any J2 dependents' passports)
  • Resume/CV
  • Copy of highest degree earned with English translation
  • If available, English test (TOEFL, IELTS, TOEIC, or DuoLinguo), waived upon interview
  • Financial Support documentation (home institution letter, verification of funds)
  • If applicable, J2 Dependent request form(s)
  • If applicable, any previous DS-2019 forms

Review an outline of the application process.

Please send inquiries and applications to Sarah Park, Associate Director at the Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution at sarah.park@pepperdine.edu.