S.J.D. Admissions
S.J.D. Admissions Policies
- Eligibility Requirements
- Application Deadline
- S.J.D. Faculty Advisor
- Evaluation and Notification
- Seat Deposit
- New Student Orientation
- Vaccinations
- Visas for International Students
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must hold an advanced law degree (LL.M. or equivalent) from a U.S. law school accredited by the American Bar Association, or from a foreign law school with equivalent standards. They must demonstrate distinguished academic performance in prior legal study. Most applicants have at least a 3.3 grade average on a 4.0 scale in prior legal study. Applicants must submit a completed application form, with the required materials, before the application deadline. http://www.wcl.american.edu/llmlawandgov/sjd/sjdapplication.cfm
Submission of Complete Application Materials
Applicants must submit the completed application form and required materials on or before the deadline of April 1. Applications are considered complete when the admissions office has received the signed application form, application fee, official academic records, two letters of recommendation, statement of purpose, dissertation proposal, and official TOEFL or IELTS scores. Late applications will not be considered. It is to your benefit to apply early.
S.J.D. Faculty Advisor
All admitted S.J.D. candidates must have a faculty advisor to oversee their research, guide their writing, and chair a dissertation examination committee. Some of the strongest S.J.D. program applications identify a WCL professor who has agreed to serve as the applicant's faculty advisor if he or she were admitted into the program. The lack of an identified faculty advisor, however, will not prevent an application from being considered complete and reviewable by the S.J.D. admissions committee. In such a case, should the admissions committee determine that the application is of a high quality and great promise, the S.J.D. program will attempt to identify and appoint a suitable faculty advisor. If no WCL professor is available to serve as a faculty advisor, the application will be denied regardless of its substantive quality.
Evaluation and Notification
Only applications which are complete shall be considered by the admissions committee. The admissions committee will evaluate the applicant's transcript, the quality of the dissertation proposal, work experience, and other measures of professional achievement and personal and intellectual maturity. The committee also considers the availability of a faculty advisor to supervise the applicant.
Admissions decisions are given only in writing. Admissions decisions will be made within six to eight weeks after the application deadline.
Seat Deposit
Newly-admitted students must submit a tuition deposit of $350 within three weeks after notification of acceptance. If the deposit is not made within this time, the applicant's admission to the program will be rescinded automatically. Deposits are credited against tuition charges for the entering semester. Complete deposit and refund instructions are included with the letter of admission.
New Student Orientation
All incoming students must attend the Orientation held the week before classes begin. Fall semester classes usually begin the third week of August. Exact dates are posted on the Academic Calendar on the WCL website.
Vaccinations
All students under 26 years of age must be immunized against seven common diseases. Upon admission, these students must submit proof of vaccination for the following: diphtheria, measles, mumps, rubella, pertussis, polio, and tetanus. Click here for Immunization Form.
Visas for International Students
Admitted International students who plan to study on an F-1 or J-1 visa may obtain their visa from a U.S. embassy or consulate in their country. To apply for a visa, international students need to present immigration documents to the U.S. embassy or consulate where they wish to apply.
Required Documents for Visa Application:
- Signed and valid I-20
- Valid passport
- Financial documents for at least one full academic year, dated within three months
- Official admission letter
- Application and application fee (provided at the U.S. embassy or consulate)
- $100 SEVIS fee (paid in addition to the application fee by first time F-1 and J-1 applicants)
Please contact the Office of International Student & Scholar Services for more information. Students may also visit the State Department site for details about the application process for student visas.
Health Insurance for International Students
Students registering under F-1 or J-1 visas are automatically enrolled in the university's accident and sickness plan, and billed through student accounts. This plan may be waived only by showing proof of adequate alternate insurance. Complete information will be provided during Orientation. Click here for Student Health Insurance Information.