University of Southern California, Gould School of Law
The information on this page was provided by the law school.
Official Guide to LLM, Master’s, and Certificate Programs
Introduction
USC Gould School of Law is one of the most distinguished and highly selective law schools in the United States. We are committed to excellence in every area of our school—from our esteemed faculty and dynamic student body, to our rigorous curriculum. At Gould, our students gain a foundational understanding of core legal doctrines and master the practical skills and tools needed to achieve their career goals.
As a student at USC, you will benefit from dedicated support from our Graduate and International Programs office. Our full-service staff exclusively support the graduate and international students at our law school, guiding you throughout your time at USC and beyond. With students representing nearly 130 countries and enrolling in more than 400 graduate programs across over 20 schools, USC as a university offers unmatched expertise in meeting the needs of a global student body. By joining USC, you will become a lifelong member of the Trojan Network, USC’s strong and connected alumni community.
Location
USC Gould School of Law is an integral part of the Los Angeles community – a city known for its cultural diversity and global influence. LA boasts a thriving legal community and serves as a hub for many businesses and industries, including entertainment, manufacturing, communications, biotechnology, healthcare, international trade, and multimedia. Located in the heart of the city, USC has strong ties to the large legal and business communities in Los Angeles.
Living in Los Angeles means you’ll immerse yourself in a wealth of culture and innovation, from fine dining to Hollywood shows to celebrated museums. LA is also home to a number of championship sports teams, including the Dodgers, Clippers, Lakers, and Kings. Our downtown LA campus is centrally located to provide students access to all that LA has to offer, including professional sports, Hollywood, Santa Monica, and Southern California’s mountains and beaches.
Additionally, our students enjoy warm and sunny weather year-round, with 284 days of sunshine each year. Close to a wide array of climates and experiences, LA is one of the few places in the world where you can ski and surf in the same day. Between the sun, sand, and cultural diversity, you’ll see why LA – and USC – feel like home.
The Faculty
USC Gould School of Law is nationally recognized for its outstanding scholarship and dedication to innovative, engaging teaching. USC Gould boasts over 40 full-time faculty and more than 60 adjunct professors with legal expertise in a variety of areas, including intellectual property and technology, business and international trade, media and entertainment, dispute resolution, and privacy and cybersecurity. Interdisciplinary expertise in law and economics, law and history, law and philosophy, law and politics, and law and psychology has long defined our academic excellence. USC’s small faculty-to-student ratio enables students to work closely with top scholars and practitioners in the classroom.
Campus Facilities
Rich in history, tradition, and experience, USC has grown into one of the premier universities in the United States since its founding in 1880. USC encapsulates the spirit of Los Angeles and is home to 20 professional schools and one of the largest teaching hospitals in the country. Through its commitment to academic excellence and diversity, USC’s schools of law, engineering, medicine, journalism, business, cinematic arts, and architecture consistently rank among the nation’s top graduate schools. USC is a leader in supporting intellectual curiosity and growth as a world-renowned private research institution, and is a proud member of the Association of American Universities, a group that represents some of the most prestigious universities in the United States and Canada.
USC’s 22 libraries house nearly three million volumes and support more than 10,000 computers and workstations. The campus is welcoming and safe, and features a number of amenities, including restaurants, coffee shops, pharmacies, banks, and more. Fountains, plazas, and tree-lined walkways complement the traditional architecture, making the campus a popular set location for Hollywood movies and television shows.
USC is recognized as an international center of learning, among a few universities that host the most international alumni in the United States. For more than a century, USC has had a large and vibrant student community, enrolling more than 47,000undergraduate, graduate, and professional students from nearly 130 countries. It has consistently been among the top US universities in terms of international enrollment, with more than 10,000 international students on campus each school year.
Housing
USC Gould School of Law offers guaranteed graduate-student housing for our incoming students who apply by USC Housing’s priority application deadline. USC Law is one of only a few law schools that offer safe, convenient, private, and fully furnished housing at a competitive monthly rate, amongst a community of other LLM students. Our housing complex is designed to meet the needs of graduate law students interested in securing a three-bedroom/three-person apartment unit. Our housing is located close to campus and just a short walk from the law school.
USC’s unique campus housing opportunity will make your move to Los Angeles easy, convenient, and affordable! Please visit our website for more information.
LLM Programs/Areas of Specialization
On-Campus Programs
One-Year Master of Laws (LLM) for Foreign Lawyers
The Master of Laws (LLM) program is designed for international attorneys, judges, government officials, prosecutors, corporate legal counsel, bankers, and recent law graduates who are interested in receiving a degree in American law and the US legal system, and prepares them for leadership roles in the global market. Through the LLM program, foreign lawyers have a chance to meet and interact with not only the faculty and JD students but also practicing lawyers from around the world.
To earn an LLM degree, students must attend all classes in person at USC and successfully complete 21 units of credit over two semesters of study. The on-campus LLM program is offered on a full-time basis only and students may begin in the fall or spring semester.
During the program, students can enroll in an optional certificate or bar track at no additional cost. We offer certificate specializations in ADR, business, entertainment, law and artificial intelligence, technology and entrepreneurship, and transnational law and business. We offer bar tracks for the California, New York, Texas, Washington, and DC bar exams.
To qualify for admission to the LLM program at USC Gould School of Law, applicants must have earned their first law degree (LLB or the equivalent) outside of the United States. Applicants who have earned a bachelor’s degree or the equivalent in another major outside of law will still be considered, as long as they can provide evidence of their recent legal work experience.
Two-Year Extended LLM for Foreign Lawyers (Certificate in US Legal Studies + LLM)
The Two-Year Extended LLM program allows students to spend a year learning about the US legal system and legal English prior to enrolling in our year-long LLM program. 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 US common law system. Upon successful completion of our Certificate in US Legal Studies in the first year, students will be enrolled in one of our on-campus LLM programs for the second year of their studies.
LLM in Alternative Dispute Resolution
The LLM in Alternative Dispute Resolution (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 a deep understanding of underlying policies and legal ramifications for the full range of ADR options. LLM in ADR students may enroll in bar subject courses alongside their ADR course requirements. These bar courses allow international students with a first degree in law who are not licensed in their home countries to meet the course eligibility requirements to sit for the California, New York, Texas, or Washington bar exam. Students may pursue a Business Law certificate concurrent with their LLM in ADR studies at no additional cost. This program is offered on a full-time and part-time basis and begins in the fall semester. For international students requiring student visas, enrollment must be full-time.
LLM in Business Law
The LLM in Business Law (BL) is a 24-unit master’s degree for domestic and international law graduates (JD, LLB, or the equivalent). This degree designed for legal professionals who are interested in learning about the diverse legal, business, and negotiating skills required to succeed in business law.
LLM in BL students may enroll in bar subject courses alongside their business law course requirements. These bar courses allow international students with a first degree in law who are not licensed in their home countries to meet the course eligibility requirements to sit for the California, New York, Texas, or Washington bar exam. Students may pursue a Transnational Law and Business certificate concurrent with their LLM in BL studies at no additional cost. This program is offered on a full-time basis and begins in the fall or spring semester. For international students requiring student visas, enrollment must be full-time.
LLM in International Business and Economic Law
The LLM in International Business and Economic Law (IBEL) is a 24-unit master’s degree for domestic and international law graduates (JD, LLB, or the equivalent). Students will develop a global perspective and interdisciplinary skills to understand and integrate relevant laws, policies and business best practices that shape international commerce and trade as well as training in negotiating and facilitating cross-border transactions, and master the organizational, transactional and compliance aspects of servicing globally engaged clients.
LLM in IBEL students may enroll in bar subject courses alongside their degree course requirements. These bar courses allow international students with a first degree in law who are not licensed in their home countries to meet the course eligibility requirements to sit for the California, New York, Texas, or Washington bar exam. Students may pursue a Business Law or Transnational Law and Business certificate concurrent with their LLM in IBEL studies at no additional cost. This program is offered on a full-time basis and begins in the fall or spring semester. For international students requiring student visas, enrollment must be full-time.
LLM in Media and Entertainment Law
The LLM in Media and Entertainment Law (MEL) is a 24-unit master’s degree for domestic and international law graduates (JD, LLB, or the equivalent). This degree is designed for legal professionals who seek to develop or advance their skills and training in film, television, music, sports, and other creative industries.
LLM in MEL students may enroll in bar subject courses alongside their degree course requirements. These bar courses allow international students with a first degree in law who are not licensed in their home countries to meet the course eligibility requirements to sit for the California, New York, Texas, or Washington bar exam. Students may pursue a Business Law or Law and Artificial Intelligence certificate concurrent with their LLM in MEL studies at no additional cost. This program is offered on a full-time basis and begins in the fall or spring semester. For international students requiring student visas, enrollment must be full-time.
LLM in Privacy Law and Cybersecurity
The LLM in Privacy Law and Cybersecurity (PLCS) is a 24-unit master’s degree for domestic and international law graduates (JD, LLB, or the equivalent). This degree provides an interdisciplinary perspective for law students who wish to develop skills that will enable them to understand and integrate relevant laws, policies and best practices that shape privacy law and cybersecurity.
LLM in PLCS students may enroll in bar subject courses alongside their degree course requirements. These bar courses allow international students with a first degree in law who are not licensed in their home countries to meet the course eligibility requirements to sit for the California, New York, Texas, or Washington bar exam. Students may pursue a Business Law, Law and Artificial Intelligence, Technology and Entrepreneurship Law, or Transnational Law and Business certificate concurrent with their LLM in PLCS studies at no additional cost. This program is offered on a full-time basis and begins in the fall or spring semester. For international students requiring student visas, enrollment must be full-time.
Master of Dispute Resolution
The Master of Dispute Resolution (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 alternative dispute resolution 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 begins in fall semester and is offered on a full-time and part-time basis. For international students requiring student visas, enrollment must be full-time.
Master of Studies in Law (MSL)
The Master of Studies in Law program is a 21-unit master’s degree, offered completely both on campus and online, 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.
LLM-JD Transfer Program
Students who are enrolled in an on-campus LLM program at USC Gould may be eligible to apply to our JD program as transfer LLM students during the spring. 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 the Juris Doctor degree in five semesters.
Master of Comparative Law
The Master of Comparative Law (MCL) is a one-year degree program for international LLM graduates seeking to continue their studies in US and comparative law. Applicants to the program must have completed an LLM degree in the United States prior to enrolling in our MCL program. The MCL program provides students with the opportunity to study the differences, similarities, and interrelationships of different systems of law around the world and will help them prepare for the challenges of today’s global economy. It is a top choice for students looking to become leaders in the legal profession.
Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Certificate
The 12-unit nondegree program 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 starts in fall semester and is offered on a part-time basis. International students requiring student visas must enroll in a degree program on a full-time basis and are encouraged to consider the LLM in ADR or MDR.
Law and Artificial Intelligence (AI) Certificate
The 12-unit nondegree program Law and Artificial Intelligence (AI) Certificate provides students with specialized knowledge about how advancements in technology and artificial intelligence impact the legal field. This certificate is available to all students with a bachelor’s degree; a prior law degree is not a prerequisite. This program is offered in the fall semester on a part-time basis. International students requiring student visas must enroll in a degree program on a full-time basis and are encouraged to consider the LLM, LLM in MEL, or LLM in PLCS.
Visiting International Program (VIP) for Lawyers
The one-year, noncredit, nondegree Visiting International Program (VIP) for Lawyers allows professionals to build a foundation in US law by attending law classes at USC Gould. Students will also have the opportunity to participate in our career development services, networking opportunities, and student events. This is a great way for our one-year LLM students to continue their studies in the United States.
Summer Law and English Program
Our four-week, nondegree Summer Law and English Program is 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. Students will also participate in legal English classes taught by trained English instructors from USC’s Language Academy. Educational and cultural events are planned so that students can both learn and enjoy the summer in Los Angeles. At the conclusion of the program, participants are awarded a Certificate of Completion. Our Summer Law and English Program is a great way to become familiar with US law and a fun opportunity to spend time in Los Angeles in the summer.
Online Programs
Online LLM for Foreign Lawyers
The Online Master of Laws is a 21-unit master’s degree offered on a part-time basis, with start times in spring, summer, and fall. Our online courses are taught by the same USC professors who teach on campus and are presented in a way that maximizes student interaction and participation while still being flexible. Online students, including both US and international professionals, are able to take courses to prepare them for the California Bar and may also earn a certificate in Business Law, Compliance, Dispute Resolution, Entertainment Law and Industry, Financial Compliance, Health Care Compliance, Human Resources Law and Compliance, Law and Government, Privacy Law and Cybersecurity, Real Estate Law, or Technology and Entrepreneurship Law.
Online Master of Studies in Law
The online Master of Studies in Law program is a 21-unit master’s degree offered on a part-time basis, with start times in spring, summer, and fall. This degree 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 open to all students; a prior law degree is not a prerequisite. Students may earn a certificate in Business Law, Compliance, Entertainment Law and Industry, Dispute Resolution, Financial Compliance, Health Care Compliance, Human Resources Law and Compliance, Law and Government, Privacy Law and Cybersecurity, Real Estate Law, or Technology and Entrepreneurship Law.
Online Graduate Certificate in Business Law
The Business Law Certificate is an online, 12-unit nondegree 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. The certificate may be earned as a standalone certificate or concurrently with an Online LLM or Online MSL degree. This certificate is available to all students; a prior law degree is not a prerequisite.
Online Graduate 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. The certificate may be earned as a standalone certificate or concurrently with an Online LLM or Online MSL degree. This certificate is available to all students; a prior law degree is not a prerequisite.
Online Graduate Certificate in Dispute Resolution
The Graduate Certificate in Dispute Resolution is an online, 12-unit nondegree program that prepares students with the tools and resources to meaningfully participate in mediation and arbitration matters. The certificate may be earned as a standalone certificate or concurrently with an Online LLM or Online MSL degree. The certificate may be earned as a standalone certificate or concurrently with an Online LLM or Online MSL degree. This certificate is available to all students; a prior law degree is not a prerequisite.
Online Graduate Certificate in Entertainment Law and Industry
The online Graduate Certificate in Entertainment Law and Industry 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. The certificate may be earned as a standalone certificate or concurrently with an Online LLM or Online MSL degree. This certificate is available to all students; a prior law degree is not a prerequisite.
Online Graduate Certificate in Financial Compliance
The Graduate Certificate in Financial Compliance is an online, 12-unit nondegree program that provides students with the fundamental knowledge of financial compliance, including regulations for financial institutions, and governance of corporate entities and global organizations. The certificate may be earned as a standalone certificate or concurrently with an Online LLM or Online MSL degree. This certificate is available to all students; a prior law degree is not a prerequisite.
Online Graduate Certificate in Health Care Compliance
The Graduate Certificate in Health Care Compliance is an online, 12-unit nondegree program that provides students with the fundamental knowledge of compliance, risk management, privacy and related legal issues in the health care setting. The certificate may be earned as a standalone certificate or concurrently with an Online LLM or Online MSL degree. This certificate is available to all students; a prior law degree is not a prerequisite.
Online Graduate Certificate in Human Resources Law and Compliance
The Graduate Certificate in Human Resources Law and Compliance is an online, 12-unit nondegree program that provides students with the fundamental knowledge of human resources law and compliance related to employment. The certificate may be earned as a standalone certificate or concurrently with an Online LLM or Online MSL degree. This certificate is available to all students; a prior law degree is not a prerequisite.
Online Graduate Certificate in Law and Government
The Graduate Certificate in Law and Government is an online, 12-unit nondegree program for students who want to focus on the intersection of legislation, regulation, policy, and the law. The certificate may be earned as a standalone certificate or concurrently with an Online LLM or Online MSL degree. This certificate is available to all students; a prior law degree is not a prerequisite.
Online Graduate Certificate in Privacy Law and Cybersecurity
The Graduate Certificate in Privacy Law and Cybersecurity is an online, 12-unit nondegree program that provides students with the fundamental knowledge to understand the necessary legal parameters concerning information privacy in the U.S. and common legal issues and emerging laws in the areas of privacy and cybersecurity. The certificate may be earned as a standalone certificate or concurrently with an Online LLM or Online MSL degree. This certificate is available to all students; a prior law degree is not a prerequisite.
Online Graduate Certificate in Real Estate Law
The Graduate Certificate in Real Estate Law is an online, 12-unit nondegree program that provides students with the fundamental understanding of legal principles and contracts related to real estate. The certificate may be earned as a standalone certificate or concurrently with an Online LLM or Online MSL degree. This certificate is available to all students; a prior law degree is not a prerequisite.
Online Graduate Certificate in Technology and Entrepreneurship Law
The Graduate Certificate in Technology and Entrepreneurship Law is an online, 12-unit nondegree program that provides students with a powerful edge for a career as a transactional lawyer in the startup, venture capital and technology markets. The certificate may be earned as a standalone certificate or concurrently with an Online LLM or Online MSL degree. This certificate is available to all students; a prior law degree is not a prerequisite.
Scholarships
All USC Gould School of Law applicants receive full consideration for our merit awards. No application is necessary. Those who are awarded a scholarship will be notified upon receiving their offer of admission. While applicants are welcome to submit a brief letter about their scholarship qualifications through LSAC when applying to one of our programs, this is not required. Please note that scholarship assistance is not available to LLM-JD transfer students.
USC Housing Stipends
Students who apply by our priority deadline to an on-campus degree program may have the opportunity to receive a USC Housing Stipend, which may be used toward on-campus or off-campus housing. Like the merit awards, there is no need to submit any additional documentation in order to be considered. Our admissions committee will select outstanding applicants with excellent academic and professional credentials to receive our special housing awards.
Graduate & International Programs Student Services and Events
The Graduate & International Programs (G&IP) office offers a large team of staff members dedicated exclusively to assisting our graduate and 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, and social events.
The Graduate & 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 activities both at the law school and within the greater university. USC law students enjoy very rich and exciting student lives throughout the year.
Office of International Services
USC is home to thousands of international students, and we have a dedicated department to assist students with all aspects of visa issues and requirements, including Curricular Practical Training (CPT) and Optional Practical Training (OPT) as allowed by federal student visa regulations. We will work with you to process your paperwork and help you apply for CPT or OPT, as applicable.
Academic Excellence and Early Bar Preparation
We offer specialized Academic Excellence workshops throughout the year to assist students in topics such as case-briefing, outlining, and exam-preparation strategies. In addition, the majority of our courses have teaching assistants to help our students as needed.
For students interested in taking a bar exam, we offer an Early Bar Prep Course that consists of several workshops throughout the year. This workshop series is designed to give foreign students an efficient overview of the core subjects tested on the bar exam, including contracts, real property, multi-state, and performance exam topics.
In addition, our office works with students on a one-on-one basis to help determine their eligibility to sit for a bar exam or to register for the bar exam.
Career Development
USC is one of the few schools that features career advisors dedicated to assisting international law students and alumni with their career goals. We hold several workshops that prepare students for the legal market, including résumé and cover-letter composition and interviewing and networking skills. Students may also receive personalized edits and feedback on their résumés and practice interviews from our career advisor.
To assist students in their job search efforts, eligible students may participate in two LLM-only job fairs in New York and Los Angeles. Students also receive targeted career monthly emails and may attend relevant networking events throughout the year.
Graduate and International Programs Contact Information
For more information about our program offerings, please visit the Graduate and International Programs website, or gould.usc.edu.
USC Gould School of Law
Graduate and International Programs
699 Exposition Boulevard, Room 105
Los Angeles, CA 90089-0071
USA
Email: gipadmissions@law.usc.edu
