Applicants are strongly recommended to plan their arrivals according to the Washington College of Law Academic Calendar to maximize class audit opportunities.

Applicants must submit a complete application by the deadline that corresponds to their anticipated start date. Please submit application attachments as PDF files.

Application decisions will be announced after the deadline. Letters of invitation will not be issued in advance of the application deadline and subsequent acceptance into the program. Applicants are encouraged to apply early as there are a limited number of spots available each semester. Applicants may be asked to defer their start dates if the program is full for a given semester.

Admission Requirements

Sponsorship for J-1 Visa Required

1. International Visitor Application Form (click to download form)
2. Exchange Visitor Application Form (click to download form)
3. Copies of passport
4. Curriculum vitae
5. Statement of research objectives: Please indicate where you learned about WCL's International Visiting Scholars Program and how being at WCL will help you accomplish your research objectives.
6. Letter of reference from employer or institution
7. Official TOEFL score report (minimum 94 preferred)
8. $65 application fee
9. Proof of financial funds:  A minimum of $2000/ month (without insurance) for participants. Exchange Visitors who will not receive financial support from American University must submit current bank statements or other financial documents verifying their ability to support themselves (and dependents, if applicable) for the duration of their stay in the United States. If the J-1 applicant will be accompanied by dependents, additional support will be required: $750/ month (without insurance) for spouse, $550/month (without insurance) for child.

No J-1 Visa Sponsorship Required

1. International Visitor Application Form (click to download form)
2. Copies of Passport
3. Curriculum vitae
4. Statement of research objectives: Please indicate where you learned about WCL's International Visiting Scholars Program and how being at WCL will help you accomplish your research objectives.
5. Letter of reference from employer or institution
6. Official TOEFL score report (minimum 94 preferred)
7. $65 application fee

To read more about the Exchange visitor J-1 visa requirements, please visit the U.S. State Department's visa site.

Successful applicants will have a strong academic background, a focused research proposal including a clear statement of how being at AUWCL will help accomplish their research objectives, and proficient English language skills.

Email application documents to ivsp@wcl.american.edu to begin the application process.