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.

LLM in IBEL: Master of Laws (LLM) 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 PLCS: Master of Laws (LLM) in Privacy Law and Cybersecurity
Through this degree, students will have the opportunity to explore the legal framework concerning information privacy in the U.S. and common legal issues and emerging law in the areas of privacy and cybersecurity, enabling students to mitigate risk and to deal with threats in the workplace. Students may enroll in courses to prepare for the California or New York 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 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 from the USC Gould School of Law Center for Dispute Resolution. 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. From the USC Gould School of Law Center for Dispute Resolution.

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.

Master of International Trade Law and Economics (MITLE) - On Campus
Open to any student who has earned a bachelor’s degree, the MITLE degree provides students with an interdisciplinary, global perspective and skills relevant to the laws, policies, and business practices that shape international trade and economics.

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. 

Law, Social Justice and Diversity Certificate - On Campus
The Law, Social Justice and Diversity certificate explores the legal framework and regulations around social work and social justice in the United States. In partnership with the School of Social Work.

Privacy Law and Cybersecurity Certificate - Online
The Privacy Law and Cybersecurity certificate explores the legal framework concerning information privacy in the U.S. and common legal issues and emerging laws in the areas of privacy and cybersecurity. This certificate is available to all students; a prior law degree is not a prerequisite. 

Social Work Administration Certificate - Online
The Social Work Administration certificate provides you with an introduction to the U.S. legal system and deepens your knowledge by offering a working understanding of the law and social work administration. In partnership with the School of Social Work.

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. Renowned and top-ranked in the United States, USC is known for its famous and sunny location, its high-quality and student-centered academics, notable alumni, thriving campus life, diversity, dominant athletics, school spirit, and fun traditions. 

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 world-class faculty at USC Gould School of Law 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.

USC Gould is known for its diverse and collegial student body, its leadership in clinical education, and its supportive and global alumni network known as the Trojan Family.

We are currently accepting applications!

View our degrees and apply here: https://gould.usc.edu/admissions/

Apply by our priority deadline, March 1, to receive an expedited admissions decision and $75 application fee waiver. You’ll also receive priority scholarship consideration—no separate application is required. All completed application files will receive an admissions decision in approximately 2-3 weeks.

You will also receive a $30 LSAC Report Fee Waiver from USC by completing this survey.

• The LSAT is not required; international applicants must submit a TOEFL or IELTS score.
• Each applicant is automatically considered for scholarship awards. No additional paperwork is required to submit.
• Students who apply by our priority deadlines are automatically considered for a housing stipend, and on-campus housing is available to our students.

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 Los Angeles (DTLA), Hollywood, Santa Monica, the mountains and the beach!

USC Gould students enjoy warm weather year-round while at a center of business and entertainment 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. 

USC Gould's Summer Law and English (SLE) four-week intensive strengthens your English speaking and writing proficiency while helping you build a foundation for future legal studies in the United States. 

All levels of English fluency are welcome and it is a valuable opportunity to join USC for the summer before your LLM. Learn more.