University of Southern California – USC Gould School of Law

USC Gould offers the following degrees and certificates:

On Campus Degrees and Certificates

Master of Laws (LLM) for Foreign Lawyers

The Master of Laws (LLM) is a one-year on-campus degree which runs from August through May, and provides individuals who have a first degree in law from outside the U.S. with the opportunity to gain a fundamental understanding of American law. This full-time program offers all levels of students the chance to deepen their knowledge and expertise, and explore U.S. law in an efficient and effective way. We require students to enroll in Introduction to U.S. Legal System (2 units of credit) and Legal Research (1 unit of credit); students may select the upper division courses that best suit their needs for the remaining 18 credits necessary to earn the degree.

Students of our residential LLM program also have the opportunity to specialize their degree with a certificate in Business Law, Media and Entertainment Law, Transnational Law and Business, Technology and Entrepreneurship Law, and Alternative Dispute Resolution Law.  Students may also enroll in coursework to prepare for the New York, California, or District of Columbia bar exams.

Connect with us on the USC LLM Facebook Page!

Two-Year Extended LLM Degree

This degree allows students to spend one year learning about the U.S. legal system and legal English prior to enrolling in our on-campus LLM. Students will complete mandatory courses during the first year to develop their legal reading and comprehension skills, case briefing skills, legal analysis, and synthesis skills in the U.S. common law system. In the second year, students will complete 21 units of upper-division elective law courses to earn our Master of Laws degree.

Students who successfully complete this program will receive a Certificate in U.S. Legal Studies for their first year curriculum, and a Master of Laws degree for their second year curriculum. Both the Certificate and LLM curriculum must be completed on campus over two academic years.

LLM to JD Transfer Program

Law students who are enrolled in our on-campus LLM degree have the opportunity to apply to our JD degree as transfer students. The applicant's LLM and LLB grades, LLM class standing and the difficulty of coursework taken in the LLM will be considered. The LSAT is not required. Advanced standing may be granted upon review of the student's LLM transcript. Transfer students may earn both the Master of Laws degree and the Juris Doctor degree in three and a half years.

Master of Laws in International Business and Economic Law

The Master of Laws in International Business and Economic Law degree provides an interdisciplinary, global perspective for law students who wish to develop skills that will enable them to understand and integrate relevant laws, policies and business best practices that shape international business and economic law. The program provides students with training in cross-border transactions, as well as the organizational, transactional and compliance aspects of servicing globally engaged clients. Students are required to complete 24 units of study, including three mandatory courses. They will satisfy the remaining course requirements from among elective course offerings at Gould, as well as select courses offered at the USC Marshall School of Business and the USC Price School of Public Policy. International students must also enroll in Introduction to the U.S. Legal System.

LLM in Alternative Dispute Resolution (LLM in ADR)

The LLM in ADR is a 24-unit master’s degree for domestic and international law graduates (JD, LLB, or the equivalent). This program allows students to gain negotiation, mediation, and arbitration skills to assist parties in resolving disputes, as well as gain a deep understanding of underlying policies and legal ramifications for the full range of ADR options. LLM in ADR students may enroll in courses to prepare for the California or New York bar exams. This degree is offered on a full-time and part-time basis (domestic students only) and features many evening and weekend course options.

Master of Dispute Resolution (MDR)

The MDR is a 24-unit master’s degree for recent graduates and working professionals (bachelor’s degree required). This program allows students to build and deepen ADR skills as a mediator or arbitrator, to broaden their network by taking classes with JD and LLM students, and to have access to clinical learning by mediating real cases through our Practical Mediation Skills clinic. Students may pursue a Business Law certificate concurrent with their MDR studies at no additional cost. This program is offered on a full-time and part-time basis and features many evening and weekend course options.

Alternative Dispute Resolution Certificate

The on-campus, 12-unit nondegree Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Certificate provides students with fundamental skills necessary to becoming excellent lawyers, mediators, arbitrators, and neutrals, and prepares them to meaningfully participate in ADR matters. This certificate is available to all students with a bachelor's degree; a prior law degree is not a prerequisite. This program has two start times—August and January—and is offered on a full-time and part-time basis and features many evening and weekend course options.

On-Campus Master of Studies in Law (MSL)

The on-campus Master of Studies in Law is a 21-unit master’s degree, offered completely in-residence, that provides students with foundational knowledge of U.S. law and offers a platform for them to better understand the intersection of law and policy, the legal environment of business, and the application of law in their respective industries. It is available on a full-time or part-time basis and open to all students; a prior law degree is not a prerequisite. 

Summer Law & English Program

We offer a four-week, non-degree program open to all students who are interested in learning more about American law while improving their English skills. The program runs from mid-July to August, and participants are exposed to a variety of core topics such as corporate law, IP, contracts, civil procedure, and legal writing, taught by USC's acclaimed faculty. At the conclusion of the program, participants are awarded a Certificate of Completion.

Online Degrees and Certificates

Online Master of Laws (LLM) for Foreign Lawyers

The online degree teaches the same course curriculum as the residential degree in an innovative, online format. This degree allows students to earn an LLM on a part-time or full-time basis from anywhere in the world. Students may begin the program during the Spring, Summer, or Fall terms. Online students, including both U.S. and international professionals, are able to take courses to prepare them for the California Bar and may also earn a Business Law certificate.*

*The following link provides information regarding related jobs, cost, loan debt and completion rate for the program: http://www.usc.edu/admission/fa/general/special-pr...

Connect with us on the USC Online LL.M. Facebook Page!

Online Master of Studies in Law (MSL)

The online MSL program is a 21-unit master’s degree that provides students with foundational knowledge of US law and offers a platform for them to better understand the intersection of law and policy, the legal environment of business, and the application of law in their respective industries. It is available on a full-time or part-time basis and open to all students; a prior law degree is not a prerequisite.

Online Business Law Certificate

The BLC is an online 12-unit non degree program that specifically focuses on the intersection between law and business. Students will enroll in courses designed to provide them with a fundamental understanding of the major laws governing business. This certificate is available to all students; a prior law degree is not a prerequisite.

For information regarding related jobs, cost, loan debt, and completion rate for the program, visit Business Law: Cost, Financing, and Success. The following link provides information regarding related jobs, cost, loan debt, and completion rate for the Online Business Law Certificate: Gainful Employment Disclosure.

Online Certificate in Compliance

The Graduate Certificate in Compliance is an online, 12-unit nondegree program that provides students with the fundamental knowledge of compliance and related legal issues necessary to implement compliance protocols or programs in their current or future workplaces. This certificate is available to all students; a prior law degree is not a prerequisite.

Information on jobs, cost, the median debt of students who completed the program, and graduation rates for this certificate is also available from the Office of Financial Aid. The following link provides information regarding related jobs, cost, loan debt, and completion rate for the Online Compliance Certificate: Gainful Employment Disclosure.

Online Certificate in Entertainment Law

The online Graduate Certificate in Entertainment Law is a 12-unit, nondegree program that provides students with the fundamental knowledge of entertainment law necessary to work with legal issues in the entertainment industry as entertainment lawyers or non-lawyers doing legal-related work in the entertainment industry. This certificate is available to all students; a prior law degree is not a prerequisite.

Information on jobs, cost, the median debt of students who completed the program, and graduation rates for this certificate is also available from the Office of Financial Aid. The following link provides information regarding related jobs, cost, loan debt, and completion rate for the Online Entertainment Law and Industry Certificate: Gainful Employment Disclosure.

Online Certificate in Health Care Compliance

The Graduate Certificate in Financial Compliance is an online, 12-unit non-degree program provides students with the fundamental knowledge of compliance, risk management, privacy and related legal issues in the health care setting. This certificate is available to all students; a prior law degree is not a prerequisite. Information on jobs, cost, the median debt of students who completed the program, and graduation rates for this certificate is also available from the Office of Financial Aid.

Online Certificate in Financial Compliance

The Graduate Certificate in Financial Compliance is an online, 12-unit non-degree program provides students with the fundamental knowledge of financial compliance, including 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. Information on jobs, cost, the median debt of students who completed the program, and graduation rates for this certificate is also available from the Office of Financial Aid.

Online Certificate in Human Resources Law and Compliance

The Graduate Certificate in Financial Compliance is an online, 12-unit non-degree program provides students with the fundamental knowledge of human resources law and compliance related to employment. This certificate is available to all students; a prior law degree is not a prerequisite. Information on jobs, cost, the median debt of students who completed the program, and graduation rates for this certificate is also available from the  Office of Financial Aid.

USC Gould School of Law is an exceptional, private, top-ranked U.S. law school, with a reputation for academic excellence. Our law school is distinguished by renowned faculty, an outstanding and diverse student body, a student/faculty ratio of better than 12:1, and a strong and vibrant alumni network composed of leaders in the legal, business, government and public sectors. USC Gould also boasts a 15-member staff dedicated exclusively to assisting international students with their transition to the U.S., course registration, academic and bar support, and career development. USC Gould is consistently ranked as one of the top 20 law schools in the nation, and the University of Southern California is one of the world's leading private research universities.

Recognized as one of the United States' most productive in scholarship, USC Gould School of Law boasts over 40 full-time faculty and more than 60 adjunct professors with legal expertise in a variety of areas, including intellectual property, business, international, entertainment, ethics, and tort reform. Interdisciplinary scholarships in law and economics, law and history, law and philosophy, law and politics, and law and psychology have long been a signature of the school. USC's small faculty-student ratio enables students to work closely with top scholars and practitioners in the classroom.

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. Applicants are encouraged to apply early, as our Admissions Committee will provide expedited decisions within 2-3 weeks upon receipt of complete applications. Students interested in applying to USC Gould School of Law should visit the following link for more information about our degrees and certificates. We will accept and review applications received after our priority deadlines on a rolling basis until the final application deadlines as set forth on our website. 
 

Admission is highly selective and those admitted will have excellent law school records, and a strong personal statement. The LSAT is not required; however, most students must submit a TOEFL or IELTS score. The Admissions Committee carefully evaluates all parts of each application. If you have any questions about the application process, please contact us at gipadmissions@law.usc.edu (for LLM, 2 Year LLM, and LLM in International Business and Economic Law), adr@law.usc.edu (for LLM in ADR, MDR, and ADR certificate programs), or msl@law.usc.edu (for all online programs and on campus MSL).

Scholarship Awards

Our most exceptional candidates will receive a prestigious Dean's Academic Excellence Award! These awards range in amounts, which may cover up to 50 percent of tuition. We will automatically consider all applicants for these awards. 

No application is necessary, although you are welcome to submit a brief letter regarding your qualifications along with your LSAC application. 

Scholarship offers are released via email at the time of admission. 

Housing Stipends

Students who apply by our priority deadline of March 1 will be automatically considered for our USC housing stipend, which is available in varying amounts and may be used toward your on campus or off campus housing. 

As with our Dean's Academic Excellence Award, you do not need to submit a separate application to be eligible. Students may receive both the Dean's Academic Excellence Award and the USC housing stipend. 

USC is an integral part of the cosmopolitan and dynamic Los Angeles community, and centrally located to a number of attractions, including downtown, the Staples Center, Hollywood, and the mountains, and just minutes away from Santa Monica, Malibu, and the beach! USC Gould students enjoy the sunny and warm weather all-year-round and are able to visit the beaches, mountains, golf courses, amusement parks, which are all within easy driving distance from USC! Los Angeles is a vital center of business, the arts, and international trade and is comprised of 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 guaranteed graduate student housing for our incoming students! USC Gould is one of only a few law schools that offer safe, convenient, private, and fully-furnished housing at a competitive monthly rate, among a community of other graduate law students. Our housing complex is designed to meet the needs of graduate law students interested in securing a 3 bedroom/3 person or 2 bedroom/4 person apartment unit.Our housing is located close to campus and just a short walk from the law school! 

Our outstanding students bring a rich array of experience, legal knowledge and cultures to USC Gould. We have hosted students from around 70 different countries spanning 6 continents. Each year, approximately 200 G&IP students join with roughly 600 JD students in a variety of challenging legal courses. As with our international students, we strive to attract a diverse group of JD candidates: these students come from around 75 different leading undergraduate universities across the United States and the world.