2024
UC Davis School of Law
International Student
Handbook
Dear Incoming Students:
We are delighted to welcome you to the University of California Davis, School of Law! Whether
you are an LL.M., Exchange, or summer law programs student, our law school oers high-quality
academic, professional and personal experiences that will meet your needs.
The UC Davis School of Law is a leader in international legal education. Over the past 30 years
thousands of students and legal professionals have attended our international programs. Our
participants have been overwhelmingly satisfied with the superior academic quality, cutting edge
knowledge, individualized attention, and deep sense of community that we provide here at the UC
Davis School of Law. When you attend our educational programs, you become a valued member of
our select and special King Hall family.
In this handbook, you will find information about preparing for your arrival, housing, and other
important matters related to your attendance at King Hall and daily life in our community and on
campus.
If I can be of help to you in any way, please feel free to contact me at bgreenwood@ucdavis.edu or
(530) 752-6081.
I very much look forward to the opportunity to meet you in person soon.
Thank you,
Beth Greenwood
Associate Dean, International Programs
School of Law, University of California, Davis
TABLE OF
CONTENTS
About The School of Law ..................................................1
About Davis – The Campus and Community .............2
Things To Do in Davis .......................................................2
Recreational Activities ..........................................................2
Nearby Attractions ................................................................3
Preparing For Your Arrival ...............................................4
Visa Information ...........................................................................5
Housing ........................................................................................6
Short Term Housing .....................................................................7
Long Term Housing .....................................................................8
Additional Housing Information ...............................................9
Transportation .........................................................................10
Transportation from Airport ......................................................11
Transportation Around Davis ..................................................12
Other Helpful Information ..............................................13
Important Semester Dates .......................................................13
Orientation Week .................................................................13
Traveling During Breaks ......................................................13
Employment During The Program ......................................13
Health Insurance ...............................................................14
Course Registration ..........................................................16
Tuition and Fees Payment ..............................................18
Student Services Information ........................................19
Campus ..............................................................................19
Map of Davis .....................................................................20
About The School of Law
The School and Programs
The School of Law
The University of California, Davis, School of Law,
is one of five law schools in the University of
California system and is a premier institution for legal
education. It has an outstanding faculty, renowned
for its teaching and scholarship, and a reputation for
producing exceptional lawyers in a highly supportive
learning atmosphere.
Over the last few years, our graduates have
consistently achieved some of the highest bar
passage rates in California. The limited size of the
student body and the school’s idyllic setting contribute
to a tradition of close association between students
and faculty. The UC Davis School of Law provides
excellent care for students, and the atmosphere is
regarded by students as nurturing and collegial.
While the law school favors a generalist rather than
a specialist curriculum, it also oers students some
of the leading legal thinkers in specialized fields.
Faculty members have shaped the law in such areas
as scientific evidence, business law, conflict of laws,
public and private law, intellectual property law,
constituional law, environmental law, international
law, and others. They have helped to form
environmental law in Washington, D.C., constitutions
in Eastern Europe, commercial law in China, family
law in England, the Netherlands and Germany, and
arbitration and alternative dispute resolution in
Indonesia.
Master in Laws (LL.M.) Program
The UC Davis LL.M. program integrates American and
international law students at all levels of study and
provides LL.M. candidates with a broad curriculum
of many dierent courses over one or two academic
years of study. Through the LL.M. program, students
are able to gain a basic knowledge of the U.S. legal
system and also have the opportunity to develop
special expertise in a particular area of law. Students
may choose from any of the following degree options:
●
General LL.M.
●
LL.M. Degree with a Specialization
●
LL.M. Degree with a Concentration: Business Law,
Intellectual Property Law, Environmental Law,
Criminal Law and Policy, Immigration Law and Tax
Law)
●
Bar Preparation
Exchange Program
Each semester, our law school welcomes a select
number of exchange students from prominent partner
universities around the world. Through our exchange
program, students develop an understanding of U.S.
law and explore new cultures in an academic setting
through a comparative perspective. By integrating
with the King Hall JD classes, they gain the additional
benefits of studying and connecting with American
and international students. Students have access to
a broad range of classes, student clubs and social
activities.
Summer Program
English for Legal Professionals
Since 1992, this intensive program has provided an
ideal introduction to and review of English and legal
analysis as used by legal professionals in the United.
States. Interactive and supporting, English for Legal
Professionals provides excellent preparation for legal
professionals, or law students who want to improve
their legal English and legal analysis or who are
preparing to enroll in an LL.M. program.
Orientation in U.S.A. Law
For over 30 years, the Orientation in USA Law
program has served lawyers, judges, prosecutors,
business professionals and pre-LL.M. students who
wish to gain a better understanding of the theories
and practices of the U.S. legal system. This renowned
program oers a general overview of U.S. law and
introduces students to the main concepts of U.S.
law and the U.S. legal system, and allows students
to become more proficient in legal English. It is
also ideal for pre-LL.M. students who want to gain a
general understanding of U.S. law and legal concepts
to succeed in their programs. Students also enjoy
connecting with fellow participants from around the
world during social events and cultural excursions –
many of our Orientation in USA Law program alumni
continue to maintain a professional network of friends
and colleagues across the globe, well after the end of
the program.
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About Davis, California
The Community and Nearby Attractions
Davis, California
Davis is centrally located in beautiful Northern
California with a population of approximately 68,000
people, not including UC Davis students. The
location boasts close proximity to many natural and
metropolitan areas in Northern California:
●
20km west of Sacramento
●
115km east of San Francisco
●
69km east of Napa Valley
●
299km west of Yosemite National Park
●
211km west of Lake Tahoe
Davis is known for its dry and warm Mediterranean-
style summer days and marine-cooled nights. The
flat, open spaces are ideal for bicycling, jogging and
pleasure driving throughout the year. The parks and
recreational department of the city of Davis oer
numerous educational, artistic and sporting activities
that the entire community enjoys. The university
oers additional recreational and fitness activities
and facilities, including a modern sports complex,
tennis courts, baseball and soccer fields, and a game
area.
Weather in Davis
Davis weather is warm (29 - 38 C) and dry (5 - 20%
humidity) in the summer, but not very cold in the
winter (- l C).
Recreational Activities
•
Bicycling • Farmers market
• Jogging • Athletic centers
• Community parks • Tennis
• Community pools • Movie theaters
• Greenbelt walking paths • O-Broadway plays
Situated in a prime agricultural area, Davis oers
many outdoor and indoor activities that are family-
friendly or universally enjoyed by the student body.
There are many community parks, swimming pools
and landscaped greenbelts to explore. A popular
biweekly event is the local farmers market, which is
held Wednesday evenings and Saturday mornings
in Central Park and oers fresh produce from local
growers, as well as arts, crafts and live music from
community artisans.
The Jan Shrem and Maria Manetti Shrem Museum
of Art, celebrates the legacy of UC Davis’ world-
renowned first generation art faculty and provides a
hub of creative practice for today’s thinkers, makers
and innovators, now and for generations to come.
The Mondavi Center for the Performing Arts, next
to the law school, features internationally known
artists and speakers and showcases oerings of the
university’s music, theatre and dance departments.
The UC Davis campus oers several museums,
concert halls, and additional recreational and fitness
activities and facilities, including a modern sports
complex, tennis courts, baseball and soccer fields,
and a games area. A pass for the UC Davis Activities
and Recreation Center (which includes a fitness and
weight-training center, as well as indoor racquetball
courts) and swimming pool is included in the program
costs for degree students. Non-degree students
and scholars may purchase passes at a discounted
price for the Activities and Recreation Center and the
swimming pool.
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Nearby Attractions
●
Old Sacramento
●
Railroad Museum
●
State Indian Museum
●
Crocker Art Museum
●
Yosemite National Park
●
Lake Tahoe
●
Napa Valley wineries and vineyards
●
San Francisco
●
Mondavi Center for the Performing Arts
Sacramento, the California state capital, is a short, 20-minute drive east of Davis. Now a bustling metropolitan area,
Sacramento’s history dates back to the California Gold Rush of the mid-1800s. The historically restored commercial
district of that era, Old Sacramento, has become a tourist center with historic museums, specialty shops and
restaurants helping to preserve its Old West charm and character. The California State Railroad Museum houses more
than 20 vintage locomotives and rail cars. The California State Indian Museum in midtown Sacramento celebrates
California’s Native American cultures with special events and a collection of artifacts from more than 100 native tribes.
The Crocker Art Museum is the oldest public museum in the western United States and displays a vast art collection
ranging from 18th-century paintings to modern sculptures.
Picturesque Yosemite National Park is only four hours south of the Davis/Sacramento area. Lake Tahoe, one of the
oldest lakes in North America, oers spectacular hiking, water skiing, mountain biking and sightseeing opportunities
and is only two hours east of Davis. The world-renowned Napa Valley wine country is less than one hour to the west
and is recognized for its award-winning wines and spirits. The spectacular California coastline lies an additional hour
west of Napa. In addition, San Francisco is only an hour and a half to the southwest of Davis. World-famous sightseeing
attractions in San Francisco include the Golden Gate Bridge, Chinatown, cable cars, Golden Gate Park, Coit Tower,
Union Square, the Cli House, Alcatraz and Fisherman’s Wharf.
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PREPARING FOR
YOUR ARRIVAL
Visa Information for LL.M. Students
Once admitted, we will email you instructions for applying
for an I-20 form, which will be issued by the UC Davis
Services for International Students and Scholars (SISS).
The I-20 is the certificate of eligibility for the F-1 “student”
visa. Along with your I-20 application, you will be required
to submit electronic copies of your passport and financial
documentation which demonstrates that you possess the
necessary funds to pay for the costs of tuition and living
expenses for your first year of study.
After receiving and processing these items, SISS will
issue an electronic version of the I-20 form. After
receiving the I-20 form, you must make an appointment
at a U.S. embassy or consulate in order to apply for an
F-1 student visa to travel to the United States. Please
make an appointment well in advance of the date you
intend to travel to the United States, as some embassies
and consulates take several weeks (or even months) to
process visa requests.
Financial Requirements for LL.M. Students*
●
Fees and Tuition $62,892
●
Books and Supplies $2,273
●
Housing, Food, Transportation, etc. $23,329
●
Health insurance (if applicable) $7,446
TOTAL $95,940
UC Davis Services for International Students and
Scholars Contact Information
Services for International Students and Scholars (SISS)
Telephone: +1 530-752-0864
Email: [email protected]
Visa and Immigration Information
Information for all incoming students
Visa Information for Exchange Students
As an exchange student, you will apply for a J-1
student visa. Information regarding attaining
a J-1 student visa will be sent to students after
acceptance as an exchange student. Students will
need to be prepared to submit the documents
outlined below to obtain a DS-2019, which is the
document needed to request a J-1 visa at a US
Embassy or consulate.
UC Davis Services for International Students and
Scholars (SISS) will issue a DS-2019 once you
provide a copy of your passport and financial
documentation which demonstrates that you
possess the necessary funds to pay for the cost of
living expenses and books.
Room and Board
(non-University housing)
Books and Supplies $1,137 per semester
The reciprocity agreement between our universities
covers the tuition so there are no other financial
requirements other than the costs of books and
medical insurance. However, it is highly advised
students research the cost of living in the United
States.
Please submit the appropriate documents to SISS
as soon as possible after your acceptance in the
exchange program as it can take them 2-3 weeks
to issue your DS-2019. After receiving the DS-2019
form, you must make an appointment at the U.S.
embassy or consulate in your country of residence
in order to apply for a J-1 student visa to travel to
the United States. Please make an appointment
well in advance of the date you intend to travel
to the United States, as some embassies and
consulates take several weeks (or even months) to
process visa requests.
5 | Page
LL.M. and Exchange students, please expect to arrive at least one week prior to your orientation date.
Summer Program students, please expect to arrive at one to two days prior to the start of your program.
Visa Information for All Students
Fees associated with obtaining a visa:
●
I-901 SEVIS Fee
●
Administrative fee charged by SISS - Contact us for more information
●
U.S. Department of State Visa Application Fee of $160
●
Visa issuance fee, if applicable. This varies by country
Please contact our oce at [email protected] or call +1 (530) 752-6081 for information on the
appropriate visa for our summer law programs.
$9,100 per semester
*Tuition and Fees are subject to change without notice.
HOUSING
INFORMATION
Summer Housing
Summer On-Campus Apartments
Summer program registrants can book short term
accommodations through UC Davis Conference
Housing. This is an ideal choice for those who are
only planning to stay for our summer programs (June
24-July 26th, 2024). Accommodations include three
meals per day and lodging in non-smoking residence
halls close to most university resources and facilities.
To reserve accommodations, please complete and
submit a
Reservation Form. Reservations will be made
on a first come, first served basis, and will not be
guaranteed if payment is not received 5 business
days before arrival date; rooms will be guaranteed
only when full payment is received in advance.
Please note that the UC Davis campus is a drug,
alcohol and tobacco-free campus. You may not
possess, partake in nor distribute any of these
substances on campus grounds at any time.
Summer O-Campus Housing
Davis oers plenty of hotels for o-campus housing
options that put you within proximity to the campus
and downtown. You can find a list of hotels here:
davischamber.com/Hotels-Lodging. Please make sure
you make accommodations early so your spot can be
guaranteed by the time the summer session begins.
Summer Hotels
We have made special arrangements with the Aggie
Inn and the Best Western Palm Court Hotel.
English for Legal Professionals
JUNE 24 - JULY 5, 2022
Cut-o date: June 3, 2024 for both hotels
●
Aggie Inn
●
Best Western Palm Court Hotel
Orientation in USA Law
JULY 8 - JULY 26, 2024
Cut-o date: June 17, 2024 for both hotels
●
Aggie Inn
●
Best Western Palm Court Hotel
Long stay for both programs
●
Aggie Inn
●
Best Western Palm Court Hotel
Short-Term Housing Options
Ideal for Summer and Exchange Students
Exchange Housing
We recommend beginning your housing research
as soon as possible once you have been accepted.
This will minimize your stress once you have arrived.
Consider cost, length of lease, and proximity to
campus and shopping. Typically, exchange students
arrange for o-campus housing which includes
apartments, rental houses, home stays and other
options.
Short-Term O-Campus Apartments and
Houses
Rental housing in Davis includes apartments,
duplexes, town homes, condominiums, rooms-for-
rent and houses. You will need to initiate your search
well before your expected visit. Residents (including
homeowners or other students) may be looking for
housemates or roommates. With this type of living
arrangement, you can expect to share general spaces
like the kitchen, living room and bathroom. If your
exchange program is in the spring semester, you
may request that we to check with our departing fall
semester exchange students to find out if they need
a lease/sublet taken over for the second half of the
academic year. Check these sites to find potential
short-term housing options (additional options on the
next page):
●
Facebook Group: Join a“Sublease and Short Term
Housing” or “Housing” group on Facebook where
the community posts short-term housing options.
●
Associated Students of UC Davis: ASUCD
Community Housing Listing is a service oered to
UC Davis students. You must register with your UC
Davis email address.
●
Vacation Rental: Airbnb and VRBO
●
Sabbatical Houses for Rent: University Farm Circle
lists sabbatical houses for rent.
Home Stay
A homestay typically refers to a lodging option where
students stay in the home of a local resident or family.
This a culturally immersive experience. Home stay
options include:
●
Davis Housing Services
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Long-Term Housing Options
Ideal for One & Two Year LL.M. Students
LL.M. Housing
Many rental leases in the city of Davis are for one
year, and often, the leases begin in September since
most of the campus is on the quarter system. If you
are arriving earlier than the start of the semester
and are unable to secure a rental for the month or
so prior to the start of our semester, you may wish to
stay at a local hotel (see previous page for short term
housing options) until the lease date begins and then
move to the more permanent apartment/housing
option. You can find a list of hotels here: https://
web.davischamber.com/Hotels-Lodging. If the lease
is for one year, you should be able to sublease for
the remaining time on the lease. It is highly advised
students research the cost of living in the United
States. This will minimize stress once you have
arrived.
On-Campus Apartments
Campus apartments are available to a variety
of UC Davis students. Campus apartments
function independently of the residence halls (aka
“dormitories”), allowing for more flexibility and
privacy for graduate students. Unlike the residence
halls, campus apartments are equipped with private
kitchens and bathrooms, but they do not include
dining plans.
Five apartment complexes are conveniently located
on the main campus and are privately operated;
●
Orchard Park
●
The Colleges at La Rue
●
Atriums at La Rue Park
●
Russell Park
●
West Village Apartments
●
8th & Wake – Elevated Graduate Living
O-Campus Apartments and Housing
Excellent o-campus apartments are available
throughout Davis. Here are some resources to help
you find apartments that are available for rent or
sublease:
●
UC Davis ULoop
●
Associated Students of UC Davis Community
Housing Listing
●
University Farm Circle Sabbatical Housing Rentals
●
Apartment Finder
●
Social Media: Join a “Sublease and Short
Term Housing” group on Facebook where the
community posts short-term housing options.
●
Nextdoor App: The Nextdoor App is a free mobile
application that connects the user with their
neighbors. Through this app, users are able to get
information on housing listings, community events,
safety alerts, and find recommendations for goods
and services in Davis.
You might try contacting local property management
companies and ask if they have any short-term
rentals. Here is a list of some of the well-known
property management places in Davis:
●
Zabace Property Management
●
King Properties
●
Lyon Property Management
●
Tandem Properties
●
Z1 Properties
●
Simmons Property Management
Home stay
A homestay typically refers to a lodging option where
students stay in the home of a local resident or family.
This a culturally immersive experience. Home stay
options include:
●
Davis Housing Services
Please note that UC Davis is not aliated in any way with, and we are not endorsing, any homestay or private housing options listed above. The above
information is provided for informational purposes only.
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Important Considerations
1. All rental accommodations require some kind of
lease agreement.
2. If you sign the lease for one year, you should
be able to sublease for the remaining time on
the lease – this is something that students do
frequently here in Davis
3. Almost all apartment managers require a security
deposit. This will be disclosed in the rental
agreement.
4. You will usually need to pay the first month’s rent
and last month’s rent before you can move into an
apartment along with the security deposit.
5. Many apartments are unfurnished.
6. The cost of heat and water are often included in
the rent, but this is not always the case. Be sure to
ask the apartment manager.
7. Many apartment managers expect you to pay your
rent by the first day of each month.
Avoiding Scams
Scams are dishonest, illegal schemes to make
money. There are several ways that people try and
defraud, like a phone call from a stranger posing as
a government ocial or law enforcement, a potential
employer or landlord asking for personal and financial
information before ever meeting you, or emails from
unknown addresses requesting information urgently.
To learn about common scams including rental scams,
visit: https://siss.ucdavis.edu/scams/common-scams
Moving Into Your New Place
Buying Furniture or Supplies
If you’re moving into residence halls or on-campus
housing, they often come fully furnished, so you may
not need to buy furniture, but you may need bedding
or bathroom products.
If you are living o campus, you may need to furnish
your own living space. There are many dierent types
of stores that carry furniture and housing supplies
such as Target, Walmart, and IKEA.
Setting up Utilities and Services for O-
Campus Housing
Tenants are typically asked to pay for Internet and
electricity in addition to their rent.
Housing and Accommodations
Information for LL.M., Summer, and Exchange Students
Electricity
Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) provides both natural
gas and electricity in Davis. To set up an account or
find out more about cost, visit pge.com.
Internet
There are a few options for Internet providers in Davis.
To find reliable service in your area and compare
costs, visit inmyarea.com/Internet.
Grocery Stores
In grocery stores, you’ll find fresh produce, dairy,
meats, bread, and non-perishable food. They also sell
a variety of drinks, and some grocery stores have their
own section of freshly baked goods.
If you’re cooking a meal from home, you may need to
visit a cultural grocery store to find the ingredients you
need. Davis and the surrounding cities oer a variety
of cultural markets featuring ingredients and food from
Asian, Eastern European, Mediterranean, Latin and
African countries.
Pharmacies
Pharmacies are retail establishments where you
can get your prescription medications, find over-
the-counter medicine and receive limited medical
services, like vaccinations.
Similar to supermarkets, pharmacies sell some
household items, baby-care supplies, menstrual
products, beauty and personal care products, and
usually have packaged snack foods and drinks.
Local pharmacies include: Rite-Aid, Target, Safeway,
and CVS.
Clothing
Davis, Sacramento, Woodland and Vacaville all have
many options for buying clothing before or during
the year. Additionally, there are local boutiques and
common name brands available at shopping centers
in these cities.
As a rule, attire at UC Davis is casual; however,
for some events and activities, we recommend
business attire. We will notify you of occasions where
business attire is desirable. Note: Classrooms are air
conditioned, so you may want to bring a lightweight
sweater or jacket.
9 | Page
TRANSPORTATION
INFORMATION
Transportation Options
Information about arrival and securing transportation
Transportation Information
Recommended Airport
Arrival and departure: Sacramento International Airport
(SMF)
Transportation from Sacramento
International Airport to Davis
●
Popular ride-sharing apps (Uber and Lyft) are
available
●
Taxis are available outside at the curb
●
Contact SuperShuttle in advance. You can book
a reservation online at supershuttle.com or via
telephone at (800) 258-3826
●
Visit the SMF website for additional ground
transportation information
●
Car rental is available at the airport. Ask your travel
agent for details prior to your departure for the best
rates and to ensure vehicle availability
Transportation from San Francisco
International Airport (SFO) to Davis
●
Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) provides service from
the airport to the station in Richmond. Connections
are available in Richmond with Amtrak for service to
Davis. Upon arrival in Davis, you may call a local taxi/
rideshare driver to your housing accommodation.
For more information, please refer to the following
websites: bart.gov/guide/airport or the BART app
and amtrakcalifornia.com. You may also ask for
directions and information at the San Francisco
Airport Information booths
●
Uber and Lyft are available as well
●
There are also other methods to arrive in Davis.
Check the “Information” kiosk at the San Francisco
baggage claim area upon arrival for the latest
information. You may wish to refer to the following
website for additional transportation options:
flysfo.com
●
Car rental is available at the airport. Ask your travel
agent for details prior to your departure
Getting Around Davis
Bicycles
Davis is a small college community known as the
“bicycling capital” of the United States. Bike lanes
and bike paths can make riding to and from campus
very safe and the topography of the city makes
bicycling easy and convenient.
Students are encouraged to rent or buy a new or used
bicycle at any of the following places:
●
UC Davis Bike Barn
●
Green Bike Depot
●
Freewheeler Bicycle Center
Public Buses
Unitrans: Unitrans is the university-operated bus
system that runs regularly throughout the entire
Davis area. Walking is an alternate way to access
the campus, classes, most sports facilities and the
downtown business area while in Davis. Bus fares are
low, and multi-ride tickets are available.
Yolobus: Yolobus provides public transportation
throughout Yolo County and into downtown
Sacramento, western Sacramento County and
northeastern Solano County.
Train Service
Amtrak is the primary provider of rail service in
California. Amtrak has routes throughout California,
including to the Bay Area. There is a depot in
downtown Davis at 840 Second Street.
11 | Page
Transportation Options (Cont.)
Information about arrival and securing transportation
Transportation Information
Car Rental
If you wish to use of a private car, you should make
car rental reservations in advance from your home
country prior to arrival in the United States for the
best rates.
As pricing and restrictions vary widely, it is usually
advantageous to contact a local travel agent or
international car rental agency in order to make
arrangements to have a car available at either the
Sacramento International Airport or the San Francisco
International Airport. It may also be possible to make
car rental arrangements while in Davis at local car
rental agencies.
Campus Parking Access
All parking regulations are enforced year-round,
including during quarter breaks and summer. UC
Davis parking access validation (permit) is required to
park on campus, through the
AMP Park app available
in your phone’s app store. Failure to pay for parking
may result in a citation.
Driving in California
If you plan to buy a car in California and have a valid
driver’s license from your home country, you can drive
with it for up to six months. After that time, you must
obtain a California Driver’s License.
It is against the law to drive in the United States
without automobile insurance. It is extremely
important that you buy adequate automobile
insurance that includes both liability and
comprehensive insurance. Insurance prices vary
considerably, from a minimum of $800 to $2,000
per year. Prices depend on a variety of factors such
as age, time period for coverage, driving experience,
number of drivers, type of car, and choice of insurance
coverage.
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Other Helpful Information
Important Semester Dates and Employment Information
Semester Dates (2024-2025)
Fall Semester
●
Mon-Fri, Aug 12-16 Orientation Week
(Fall Start Students Only)
●
Mon-Fri, Aug 19-23 Introduction Week
●
Monday, Aug 26 First Day of Instruction
●
Monday, Sept 2 Labor Day Holiday
●
Tuesday, Nov 5 Presidential Election Day
(no classes)
●
Monday, Nov 11 Veterans’ Day Holiday
●
Thu-Fri, Nov 28-29 Thanksgiving Holiday
●
Friday, Dec 6 Last Day of Instruction
●
Sat-Mon, Dec 7-9 Reading period
●
Tue-Fri, Dec 10-20 Examination period
Spring Semester
●
Mon-Fri, Jan 6-10 Orientation Week
(Spring Start Students Only)
●
Monday, Jan 13 First Day of Instruction
●
Monday, Jan 20 MLK, Jr., Holiday
●
Monday, Feb 17 Presidents’ Day Holiday
●
Mon-Fri, Mar 24-28 Spring Recess
●
Friday, Mar 28 César Chávez Day
●
Tuesday, Apr 29 Last Day of Instruction
●
Wed-Sun, Apr 30-May 4 Reading period
●
Mon-Fri, May 5-16 Examination period
●
Fri May 16 or Sat May 17 Commencement
Summer Session
●
Monday, Jun 24-July 5 English for Legal
Professionals
●
Thursday, July 4 Independence Day
●
Monday, July 8-26 Orientation in USA Law
Orientation Week
Attending Orientation is mandatory for all LL.M. and
Exchange students.
During Orientation Week you will learn more details
about the program, the law school, the campus, and
the community. You will have an opportunity to discuss
your class selections with the director of the program
and make any changes needed in your program. There
will also be an opportunity to discuss and resolve any
problems concerning visas, housing, transportation, health
services and insurance. Additionally, this time will be used
to provide computer lab and library training, obtain your
student id and purchase books (see information on book
costs below). It is S TRO NG LY recommended students
arrive one week before orientation week to allow time for
settling in.
Please check in with us before you buy your airline
tickets, and we can verify if there have been any changes
to the orientation schedule.
Traveling While on Breaks
Necessary documents for F-1 travel outside the United
States and for reentry to the U.S. include a valid passport,
a valid F-1 or F-2 visa stamp, and an unexpired UC Davis
I-20 with a recent SISS signature. It may not be necessary
to extend an expired visa when traveling to Canada or
Mexico for less than 30 days.
Employment During the Program
The UC Davis school of law is a rigorous program so
working and studying is not encouraged. However, it
is possible for students on F-1 and J-1 visas to receive
permission to work on-campus in the United States
during their time in the program on campus. For
more information about employment options, please
contact us at
On-Campus Employment
F-1 and J-1 students maintaining a full course of study
and in good academic standing are eligible for on-
campus employment authorization. Employment is
limited to 20 hours a week except for ocial school
breaks, when it may be full-time.
For J-1 students, on-campus employment must be
authorized in advance by the International Student
Advisor at Services for International Students and
Scholars (SISS). Be aware that a lot of the jobs
available on campus are in the service industry
(restaurants, coee shops, etc.).
If you receive a job oer letter for on-campus
employment and hold a J-1 visa, paid or unpaid,
please meet with your International Student Advisor.
If approved, your SEVIS (DS-2019) record will be
updated, and you will receive a revised DS-2019.
Transcripts
Students will be responsible for ordering transcripts
directly, the payment, and international mailing. You
can find information about this
here.
13 | Page
HE ALTH
INSURANCE
INFORMATION
Health Insurance Requirement
Information for LL.M., Summer, and Exchange Students
LL.M. and Exchange Health
Insurance and Immunization
Requirements
All incoming UC Davis LL.M. and Exchange
students are REQUIRED to obtain specific vaccines
and undergo screening for tuberculosis prior to
enrollment. This requirement is satisfied by entering
your vaccination dates and completing a Tuberculosis
Screening Questionnaire via the Health e-Messaging
website. Please note that a hold will be placed on
your account, which may prevent you from enrolling
in your preferred courses, if the immunization
requirements are not met. For more information on
which vaccines UC Davis requires, please visit the
Student Health and Counseling Services for New
Students web page.
All UC Davis LL.M. and Exchange students and their
dependents are required to have health insurance.
Program sta will contact you after you register
to provide instructions for acquiring appropriate
insurance coverage. It may be possible to obtain
comparable coverage in your home country through
your business, organization, travel agency or other
available sources. However, we will require that you
sign a waiver assuming the risk for medical coverage
should you decide not to purchase the medical
insurance we oer. If you do not sign a waiver, you
will be automatically enrolled in the health care plan
called UC SHIP. If you have comparable insurance
and do not want to be enrolled in UC SHIP, you must
apply for a UC SHIP waiver by the due date listed
in the UC Ship email. If you have not received this
email, please email us at internationallaw@ucdavis.
edu. The services at Student Health and Counseling
Services are available to all students, even if you
waive UC SHIP. However, there is a higher per visit
cost for those not enrolled in UC SHIP. Fees for UC
SHIP coverage are charged to your student account
each term along with your registration fees.
Note: It is your responsibility to understand the way
your insurance policy works, and how to access health
care providers who will accept your insurance plan.
Summer Program Insurance Information
We require that all participants have short-term
medical insurance coverage while in the United States
(carrying a minimum of $500,000 U.S. dollars in
coverage plus $50,000 U.S. for medical evacuations
and $25,000 U.S. for repatriation of remains). As a
precaution, we strongly recommend that you bring an
extra pair of eyeglasses (if worn)—or your optometry
prescription as well as any additional supplies of
necessary medications or prescriptions—in case of
an emergency situation. If you have any questions,
please contact us.
15 | Page
COURSE
REGISTRATION
Course Registration Procedure
Information for LL.M. and Exchange Students
What You Need to Begin
To help you select courses, please review the following:
●
Course List (These will be sent to you via email)
●
Course Descriptions
●
Curriculum: First Year / Upper Division
●
Course selection worksheet (this will be sent to you
via email)
●
Course registration form (this will be sent to you via
email)
Please return your course registration form as soon
as possible so that we may reserve your spot in your
classes.
LL.M. Degree Requirements
Before selecting your courses, please note the following
LL.M. degree requirements. You must:
●
Earn twenty semester credits. You must have a minimum
of 10 units each semester. If you have been admitted to
a 2-year LL.M. program, you must earn forty semester
credits.
●
Complete two required courses:
●
US Legal System Seminar (2 units); and
●
Legal Research (1 unit)
●
Write an analytically rigorous legal research paper (2
units).
●
Complete two semesters in residence. If you have been
admitted to a 2-year LL.M. program, you must complete
four semesters in residence.
Exchange Course Requirements
Students may enroll in most of the courses from the
J.D. curriculum, including first year courses. Classes
are limited in size (especially seminar classes), so a
request does not guarantee registration.
Enrollment in clinical courses requires approval of
the instructor and completion of any prerequisite
requirements. A minimum of 10 units per semester
must be taken as this is required for J-1 visa purposes.
Students typically take 4-5 classes totaling 11-15 units.
When students submit their class requests, they
should select 15-20 units of coursework in case one or
two classes are full, or if they decide to drop one class
after the first week. This will ensure they maintain the
10 unit minimum.
The UC Davis School of Law operates on the semester
system. One semester unit is approximately equivalent
to 2 ECTs.
Registration Materials Packet
●
Study the registration materials.
●
Fill out the LL.M. Professional and Personal Goals
form (this form will be sent to your email). This
form will help you to consider what you want to
accomplish in your LL.M. studies. Dean Greenwood
will meet with you to discuss your goals and
course selections before classes begin and your
registration is finalized.
●
Fill out the Registration Form (Proposed Classes
Selections) using the information from your Course
Selection Work Sheet and sign and date the form.
Please select the proposed courses that you would
like to take during your LL.M. studies. Registration
will be finalized after your meeting with Dean
Greenwood. You can still make changes to your
schedule during the first week of classes.
●
Email both forms to [email protected] as soon as
possible.
Cancellations, Withdrawals, Planned
Educational Leave (PELP) & Refund Policies
Law students who wish to withdraw from school
or apply for Planned Educational Leave Program
(PELP) must obtain ocial approval from the Dean.
PELP allows any continuing registered student to
temporarily suspend academic work at UC Davis.
For students who paid fees and cancel, withdraw, or
PELP with ocial approval from the Dean before the
end of any semester, fees are refunded according to
UC Davis campus-wide refund policies. Refunds are
based upon the date you discontinue enrollment -
you may receive a full or partial refund of your fees.
Contact the LL.M. Oce at
[email protected] for more
information about refund and cancellation policies.
IMPORTANT NOTE: PLEASE DO NOT SELF REGISTER
OR MAKE ANY CHANGES TO YOUR SCHEDULE
ON THE UCD REGISTRATION PORTAL WITHOUT
MEETING WITH YOUR ACADEMIC ADVISOR FIRST.
17 | Page
Payment of Tuition and Fees
Information for LL.M. Students
Tuition and fees are subject to legislative and
gubernatorial action - they may change without notice.
If you received a scholarship, please wait for it to post
to your student account before paying for tuition.
The LL.M. program sta will provide assistance with
tuition payments at the LL.M. Briefing Orientation.
However, the following information will help you to
prepare for making payments smoothly:
For students who plan to pay their tuition and fees
with bank drafts, personal checks or travelers checks,
we provide the following suggestions:
●
If using bank drafts, these must be drawn on a US
bank and all information must be type written and
made payable to the Regents of the University of
California.
●
If using personal checks, please bear in mind that if
you open up a checking account with a bank draft,
Davis banks will place a hold on it for at least two
weeks to verify if sucient funds are available. In
opening checking accounts, we advise you to use
travelers’ checks (with at least $500 in smaller
denominations) so that you will be able to draw on
your account immediately.
●
UC Davis and Bank of America (UC Davis Ocial
Bank) has partnered with Flywire for international
payments. It’s a secure and streamlined payment
process that makes it easy to pay from accounts
in your home country. With Flywire, you can pay
online from any country and any bank, typically
in your home currency. UC Davis does not accept
overpayments on student accounts. Please transfer
only the amount due on your student account.
●
For students who plan to pay by wire transfer,
the following information must be included on
the transfer. Failure to include all of the following
information may result in delays. Please email a
copy of your wire transfer to our oce at llm@
ucdavis.edu.
Banking Information
1. Bank institution name: Bank of America
2. Bank institution address: 1655 Grant St. Bldg. A
10thFloor.
Concord, CA 94520
U.S.A.
3. Account title: Regents of the
University of California
4. Account number: 12337-14115
5. Routing transit number: 0260-0959-3
6. Swift Code: BOFAUS3N
7. Student ID: KING HALL “WRITE
YOUR STUDENT ID IF
YOU HAVE IT”
8. Your name: “WRITE YOUR NAME”
●
As a safety precaution, we strongly recommend
that you do not carry large amounts of cash.
Instead, you may use travelers’ checks, which are
accepted by most businesses.
●
Credit Card payments are not accepted by the
Student Accounting Oce at this time (except for
the Discover card which is only issued in the U.S.).
●
If your tuition and fees will be paid by a
government, sponsoring agency or company,
please contact the LL.M. oce at llm@ucdavis.edu.
18 | Page
Duo Two-Factor Authentication
Be sure to enroll in UC Davis’s multi-factor
authentication security system, otherwise known as
DUO. You will not be able to access certain UC Davis
websites until you set this up. You must have a sim
card to get started.
To set up DUO, please go to the following website,
https://computingaccounts.ucdavis.edu/cgi-bin/
services/index.cgi, and log in to “Duo Multifactor
Authentication” using your UC Davis Kerberos
(username) and passphrase. Follow the instructions
that you see on the screen to enroll.
Student Services Information
Smoke and Tobacco Free Campus
UC Davis is a Smoke and Tobacco Free Campus.
Smoking is not allowed in campus buildings, including
dormitories, or on campus property, including parking
lots and rental units. The use and/or possession
of alcoholic beverages is prohibited on campus,
including all areas of the residence halls.
Counseling Services at King Hall
Law students may see Dr. Eric Burns, the counselor
in King Hall who is aliated with Student Health and
Counseling Services, but dedicated to serving law
students. Contact counseling@law.ucdavis.edu for
appointments.
Student Disability Center
UC Davis School of Law is committed to ensuring
equal educational opportunities for students with
disabilities, in collaboration with the UC Davis Student
Disability Center (SDC). The SDC coordinates disability
accommodations for all UC Davis students, including
law students. The SDC oers advising, assistance and
resources to students with physical, psychological,
medical, communicative, or learning disabilities, as
well as for temporary impairments. Students seeking
accommodations must register with, and provide
appropriate documentation to, the SDC, which will
then provide recommendations to the law school
Registrar/Registrar’s Oce for each approved student.
Safety
We oer several resources aimed to keep our
students safe and informed. We urge you to sign up
for campus-wide alerts via the “WarnMe” system. This
alert system will send texts and/or emails in case of
a campus-wide emergency. We also oer services
such as “Safe Rides” free of charge for students who
have safety concerns while traveling around Davis
after dark. The campus itself is equipped with dozens
of blue-light call stations where you can request help
if you’re having or witnessing an emergency. We will
discuss the many ways that UC Davis is here for your
safety and wellbeing further during your orientation.
Campus
An interactive map of UC Davis can be found here:
https://campusmap.ucdavis.edu/. The main library on
campus, Peter J. Shields Library, and King Hall (School
of Law) oers a 24-hour study room with student ID
card access.
Memorial Union
The “M.U.” houses our UC Davis Bookstore, apparel
store, dining services, a bowling alley, and school
supplies. There is also an Amazon store attached so
you can pick up or return Amazon purchases.
Banking Services
There are several banks in Davis that oer a variety of
banking services.
Child Care and Schools
If you require child care, the UC Davis Student Parent
website provides free information on day care centers,
nursery schools, school-age programs, and licensed
family home day cares. If you would like further
information and assistance about child care, please
contact [email protected].
School aged children who will be attending school
in Davis, will need to provide proof of birth and
immunization records before you may register your
children into school. A child’s birth or baptismal
certificate will be accepted as proof of birth. The
immunization records must show the month, day,
and year of the vaccine which was given, and by
whom (such as private doctor or clinic). Students
must be immunized against polio, diphtheria, tetanus,
pertussis, mumps, rubella, and measles, hepatitis B,
and varicella. Please provide a translation for these
important documents. Additional information on
immunization requirements can be found here.
19 | Page
Student Services
Information on resources available for students
DOWNTOWN
DAVIS
Extension Center Drive
Hutchison
Russell
Hutchison
Garrod
1st Street
3rd Street
5th Street
Richards
Richards South
Research Park
Research Park
Cowell
The Silo
Bike Barn
Bike
Underpass
Aggie
Stadium
Rec Pool
Lodge
ARC (Activities and
Recreation Center)
Tercero Dormitory area
UC Davis Extension
International Center
Quad
Mrak Hall
Shields
Library
Memorial
Union
Book Store
Bus Station
UC Davis International
Complex
Segundo
Dining
Commons
Cuarto
Dormitory
Area
Student Health and
Wellness Center
Freeborn Hall
Visitor
Center
Health Sciences
Complex
Putah Creek Lodge
Mondavi
Center
Alumni
Center
La
Rue
La Rue
Bioletti
La
Rue
Howard
California
A Street
B Street
E Street
Old Davis Road
A
r
b
o
r
e
t
u
m
D
r
i
v
e
UC DAVIS CAMPUS
San Francisco Bay Area
Woodland
Sacramento
School of Law
at King Hall
20 | Page
