A Year at UC Davis Focused on Your Professional Goals
Build new skills, deepen your expertise and explore ideas you can bring back to your organization. The UC Davis Visiting Professional Development Program offers international professionals a 12-month experience in Davis, California, with an individualized learning plan focused on taking them to the next level of their career.
Work with our team to shape your program around your background, interests and professional goals. Your experience combines independent study, opportunities to engage with the UC Davis academic community and learning activities selected to support your development.
Program at a Glance
- Duration: 12 months
- Location: University of California, Davis
- Program fee: $35,000 USD per participant, additional fees may apply
- Format: Individualized professional development and independent study
- Language: English
- Timing: Program dates arranged individually
- International participation: J-1 scholar sponsorship for eligible participants
Who Should Participate?
This program is designed for professionals, educators and researchers who want dedicated time to strengthen their expertise, explore new approaches and apply what they learn to their work.
Whether you are developing your teaching practice, investigating a policy question or building skills for your next professional challenge, we will work with you to determine how UC Davis can support your goals.
This is a non-degree professional development program.
A Learning Plan Built Around You
Your program begins with a conversation about your experience, the skills you want to develop and what you hope to accomplish during your year at UC Davis.
Together, we identify a focus for your work and develop an individualized plan within the program’s defined scope and fee. Your plan may include an applied project, research paper, case study or proposal that connects your learning to a challenge in your field or organization.
Previous visiting scholar projects have explored economics, higher education, teaching and learning, and applications of artificial intelligence in the social sciences and beyond. Contact us to discuss your interests and their fit with available UC Davis expertise and resources.
What Your Experience May Include
Depending on your goals and agreed learning plan, activities may include:
- Auditing selected university courses and observing classroom teaching
- Independent study using UC Davis library and research resources
- Relevant online coursework, including UC Davis offerings on Coursera
- Discussions with faculty, graduate students and professionals in your field
- Workshops, seminars and public academic events
- Educational site visits and opportunities to explore professional practice
- Development and presentation of an individual research or applied project
Specific courses, faculty engagement and other activities depend on availability and required approvals. Your learning plan will identify the activities arranged for your program.
Program Fee and Included Services
$35,000 USD per participant for the 12-month program
The program fee includes individualized program planning and coordination, along with the learning activities specified in your agreed program plan.
Included support and resources encompass:
- Program orientation and ongoing administrative support
- Immigration advising and emergency support
- UC Davis library access and university email
- Shared study space
- Campus printing and scanning services
- Local bus access
Housing, meals, airfare, health insurance and transportation other than the included local bus services are separate expenses. Additional fees may apply in select areas of study.
How to Get Started
1. Tell us about your goals. Email us with a brief introduction, your CV or resume, your areas of interest and your preferred start date.
2. Develop your program plan. Our team will review your interests and work with you to identify suitable learning opportunities, a project focus and a proposed schedule.
3. Prepare for your year at UC Davis. Once your program is approved, we will guide you through the next steps, including program arrangements, applicable immigration documentation and preparation for arrival.