University of Southern California – USC Gould School of Law

LLM Degrees:

LLM: Master of Laws (LLM) for Foreign Lawyers
For individuals with a first degree in law from outside the U.S., gain a fundamental understanding of American law with our 1-Year LLM. Students may complete a certificate specialization and take courses to prepare for the New York, California, or District of Columbia (Washington, D.C.) bar exams.

2-Year LLM: Two-Year Extended LLM Degree
Students spend one-year developing legal skills and learning legal English and enroll in the Master of Laws degree during the second year. Students who successfully complete this program will receive a Certificate in U.S. Legal Studies and a Master of Laws degree. 

LLM in IBEL: Master of Laws in International Business and Economic Law
For U.S. and non-U.S. law graduates who seek interdisciplinary, global training in cross-border transactions, as well as learning the organizational, transactional and compliance aspects of servicing globally engaged clients. Students may enroll in courses to prepare for the California or New York bar exams.

LLM in ADR: LLM in Alternative Dispute Resolution 
For U.S. and non-U.S. law graduates who seek negotiation, mediation, and arbitration skills to assist parties in resolving disputes. Students may enroll in courses to prepare for the California or New York bar exams. 

LLM to JD Transfer Program
LLM students may apply to our JD degree as transfer students; no LSAT required. Transfer students may earn both the Master of Laws degree and the Juris Doctor (JD) degree.

Online LLM Degree
The online LLM teaches the same curriculum as the LLM program in Los Angeles, but 100% online. This allows students to earn an LLM on a part-time or full-time basis from anywhere in the world. 

Summer Programs:

Summer Law & English (SLE)
SLE is a four-week, non-degree program from July – August, open to all international students interested in learning more about U.S. law while improving their English skills. 

Master's Degrees:

Master of Dispute Resolution (MDR) – On Campus
Open to any student who has earned a bachelor’s degree, this program allows students to build real-world negotiation, mediation, and arbitration skills and is available on a full-time and part-time basis. 

Master of Studies in Law (MSL) – Online or On Campus
Open to any student who has earned a bachelor’s degree, the MSL degree gives students legal skills and complex legal knowledge that can be applied directly to any career. This program is taught in a 100% online environment or on-campus in Los Angeles, CA.

Certificates:

Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Certificate – On Campus
Open to any student who has earned a bachelor’s degree, the ADR certificate provides students with fundamental skills in negotiation, mediation, and arbitration, and is available on a full-time and part-time basis. 

Business Law Certificate – Online 
This Business Law certificate specifically focuses on the intersection between law and business. This certificate is available to all students; a prior law degree is not a prerequisite.

Compliance Certificate – Online 
The Compliance Certificate provides students with the fundamental knowledge of compliance and related legal issues. This certificate is available to all students; a prior law degree is not a prerequisite.

Entertainment Law and Industry Certificate – Online
This Entertainment Law and Industry certificate provides students with essential knowledge of legal issues in the entertainment industry, such as film, television, and media. This certificate is available to all students; a prior law degree is not a prerequisite.

Health Care Compliance Certificate - Online
The Health Care Compliance certificate provides students with knowledge of compliance, risk management, privacy, and related legal issues in health care settings. This certificate is available to all students; a prior law degree is not a prerequisite. 

Financial Compliance Certificate - Online
This Financial Compliance certificate provides students an understanding of regulations for financial institutions and governance of corporate entities and global organizations. This certificate is available to all students; a prior law degree is not a prerequisite. 

Human Resources Law and Compliance Certificate - Online
The HR Law and Compliance certificate covers essential legal matters related to employment. This certificate is available to all students; a prior law degree is not a prerequisite. 

This link provides information regarding jobs, cost, loan debt, and completion rate for the USC Gould certificates: Gainful Employment Disclosure.

The University of Southern California is one of the world's leading private research universities, located in the heart of Los Angeles.

USC Gould School of Law is a top-ranked law school with a reputation for academic excellence and world-class faculty. USC Gould is known for its diverse and collegial student body, its leadership in clinical education, and its tight-knit alumni network. Located in Los Angeles, one of the nation’s top legal markets and a hub for major law and entertainment firms, the school is a dynamic laboratory for legal training.

The faculty at USC Gould is nationally recognized for scholarship in many fields, including administrative law, constitutional law, bankruptcy, and corporate law, intellectual property, international law, taxation, and law and race.

We are now accepting applications! Apply by our priority deadline (see our chart below), to receive an expedited admissions decision and a $75 application fee waiver. We will review applications received after our priority deadlines on a rolling basis. 
 

• The LSAT is not required; however, most students must submit a TOEFL or IELTS score.
• Each applicant is automatically considered for scholarship.
• Students who apply by our priority deadline are automatically considered for a housing stipend.

If you have any questions about the application process, please contact us at gipadmissions@law.usc.edu.

USC is at the heart of Los Angeles, centrally located to world-class museums and recreational facilities as well as downtown (DTLA), Hollywood, Santa Monica, and the beach!

USC Gould students enjoy warm weather year-round while at a center of business and the arts and among an amazing array of diverse cultures, religions, and people. As a student here, you'll benefit from USC's strong ties to the large legal and business communities in Los Angeles.

USC Gould offers safe, convenient, private, and fully-furnished housing at a competitive monthly rate, among a community of other graduate law students. 

Our outstanding students bring a rich array of experience, legal knowledge, and cultures to USC Gould. We have hosted students from more than 70 different countries spanning 6 continents and welcomed them to the Trojan Family at USC.