699 Exposition Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90089-0071, USA
Phone: 213.821.5916 | Website: lawweb.usc.edu
Introduction
Over 100 years old, USC Gould School of Law is a renowned private US law school. One of the most prominent and highly selective law schools in the country, USC Gould School of Law has a reputation for academic excellence, distinguished by renowned faculty, the diversity of a friendly and collegial student body, a student-to-faculty ratio of better than 12:1, and a tight-knit alumni network composed of leaders in the legal, business, government, and public sectors. Students possess extraordinary credentials and represent a rich diversity of backgrounds and experiences.
The University of Southern California is one of the world's leading private research universities and the schools of law, engineering, film, medicine, journalism, business, and architecture are among the nation's leading graduate schools. USC leads the nation in international student enrollment.
Location
USC is an integral part of the cosmopolitan and dynamic Los Angeles community. USC law students enjoy the sunny and warm weather all-year-round and are able to visit the beaches, mountains, golf courses, and 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. From small biotech start-up companies, to huge giants in aerospace, shipping, entertainment, and media, the tremendous variety of industries and government agencies in L.A. is unmatched anywhere.
Law School Enrollment
- JD enrollment: 600 (approximately)
- LLM and MCL enrollment: 130 (approximately)
The Faculty
Recognized as one of the United States' most productive in scholarship, the USC Gould School of Law faculty is noted for its commitment to interactive and dynamic classroom teaching. USC Gould School of Law boasts over 50 full-time faculty and more than 75 adjunct professors with legal expertise in a wide variety of areas. USC Gould School of Law maintains an exceptional student-to-faculty ratio of 12:1. Professors are accomplished, approachable, supportive, and dedicated to helping students succeed.
Campus Facilities
Founded in 1880, the University of Southern California is the oldest and largest private university in the western United States. The schools of law, business, engineering, film, public administration, communication, music, and occupational therapy are among the best in the United States. USC is one of the top private research universities in the US in federal research and voluntary support. It is one of only four private research universities in the western United States selected to membership in the Association of American Universities, a group that represents 61 of the elite universities in the US and Canada.
USC's 22 libraries house nearly three million volumes and support more than 10,000 computers and workstations. Fountains, plazas, and trees complement the traditional architecture, making the campus a popular set location for Hollywood movies and television shows. A wide range of cultural and recreational activities are available, including theaters, art galleries, restaurants, and coffee houses on campus and in nearby downtown Los Angeles.
USC is an international center of learning, with the most international alumni of any university in the United States. For more than a century, USC has had a large and diverse student body, enrolling more than 30,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students from nearly 150 countries. It has consistently been among the top US universities in terms of international enrollment, with over 5,000 international students on campus each school year.
Housing
Los Angeles offers a wide variety of housing choices for students who are either single or have families. Most USC students rent off-campus apartments or homes within a 30-minute drive from the campus. There are also many university-owned or private apartments within walking distance of the campus. Depending on the area, rent varies for a studio, one-bedroom, or two-bedroom apartment. The wide variety of housing choices enables students to fully experience the California lifestyle.
LLM Programs/Areas of Specialization
USC Gould School of Law offers the following programs:
Graduate and International Programs Contact Information
For more information about the LLM, MCL, or Summer Law and English Program, please visit the Graduate and International Programs website, or contact:
USC Law Graduate and International Programs
699 Exposition Boulevard, Room 105
Los Angeles, CA 90089-0071
USA
Phone: 213.821.5916
Fax: 213.821.5915
E-mail: gipadmissions@law.usc.edu
Summer Law and English Program
The Summer Law and English Program is a four-week nondegree program that runs from mid-July to mid-August each year, and is a unique course designed for international lawyers, corporate legal counsel, business professionals, government officials, and law students who would like to learn about the American legal system while improving their English ability.
Students take law classes taught by USC Gould School of Law instructors, and will also participate in legal English classes taught by trained English instructors from USC's Language Academy. The Summer Law and English Program introduces students to various areas of US law and law school preparation, while the legal English sessions complement and support the law curriculum and implement teaching methods to help students improve their legal English speaking and legal writing skills. Educational and cultural events are planned so students can learn and enjoy the summer in Los Angeles!
Certificate Programs: Specialize in Business Law or Entertainment Law
LLM students may elect to specialize their degree in Business Law or Entertainment Law by earning a certificate in either field. Graduates who have earned both an LLM degree and a certificate in Business Law or Entertainment Law are able to market their specialized degree to employers in these fields. USC Gould School of Law certificates provide graduates with the knowledge and skills to be top-notch business or entertainment lawyers.
Students may elect to pursue a certificate during the fall registration period, which takes place during the summer before fall classes begin. Prior to registration, students will receive additional information from our office about certificate requirements and how to enroll in our certificate programs. There are no additional fees for enrolling in a certificate program, as the law courses that are taken for the certificate will also count toward the 21 units required for the LLM degree.
LLM-JD Transfer Program
Students enrolled in our LLM program have the opportunity to apply to our JD program as Transfer LLM students during the transfer application period. The applicant's LLM and LLB grades, LLM class standing, and the difficulty of coursework taken in the LLM program will be considered. The LSAT is not required. Advanced standing may be granted upon review of the student's LLM transcript. LLM-JD transfer students may earn both the Master of Laws degree and the Juris Doctorate degree in three years.
Scholarships
The Graduate and International Programs Office offers partial merit-based scholarships each year. Scholarship assistance based on merit is awarded to outstanding applicants. Very qualified applicants can request consideration for a scholarship by indicating the request within the online application form.
G&IP Student Services and Events
The Graduate and International Programs Office boasts a full team of staff members dedicated exclusively to assisting international law students. The G&IP Office provides end-to-end service from processing your application, to transitioning to life in Los Angeles, registration for your classes, to academic support and exam preparation workshops. During the academic year, our office hosts fun social events designed to promote networking between our students, JD students, and students from other graduate schools at USC. We also keep close contact with our alums to ensure their link to valuable USC resources and services.
The Graduate and International Programs Office hosts exciting events throughout the year, including a trip to the Hollywood Bowl, a USC football game, a basketball game at the Staples Center, Networking Mixer events with business and public policy students, and many more! Students also have the opportunity to participate in a myriad of student-run organizations and law school activities, including the JD/LLM Partnership Program in which students are paired up for informal information exchanges to share about law school, cultural differences, and the practice of law in the US and overseas! USC law students enjoy their very rich and exciting student lives throughout the year.
Career Development
The Graduate and International Programs office offers career development assistance for international law students. Workshops are held for students on résumé and cover letter preparation and interviewing skills. Networking events are hosted by the G&IP office to help students meet potential colleagues. USC Gould School of Law students participate in two annual LLM job fairs, in New York and Los Angeles, respectively. G&IP students also receive weekly job posting e-mails and have access to a private USC Gould School of Law website listing open positions. Additionally, one-on-one advising is available to students seeking help in writing résumés, searching for internships, or practicing interview questions.
Many LLM students take the New York or California bar exam upon completion of the program. Our unique Early Bar Preparation program is offered each year exclusively for our LLM students. It introduces the components of the New York and California bar exams and consists of several workshops covering Contracts, Real Property, Multi-State, and Performance Exam topics.
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