Earn Your LLM Degree in Two Years with Our Extended Program

The Two-Year Extended Master of Laws (LLM) at USC Gould allows you to spend one year on campus learning about the U.S. legal system and mastering legal English prior to enrolling in the yearlong, comprehensive LLM curriculum.

Prepare for future success with USC Gould's two-year extended LLM program

During the first year, you will receive academic training in legal reading and comprehension, case briefing, legal analysis and synthesis of the U.S. common law system, while improving your English speaking and writing skills. Small, personalized classes during the first year give you an opportunity to adjust to living in the U.S. and attending USC.

Upon successful completion of the first year, you will receive a certificate in U.S. Legal Studies and will be enrolled in the USC Gould LLM program. This LLM is open to anyone with a first law degree (LLB or equivalent) outside of the United States.

Interested? Learn more.

Receive more information about our Two-Year LLM degree and be notified of upcoming events:

During the Two-Year Extended LLM, you will develop:

Improved English speaking and writing skills
Academic support skills to help you succeed
Practical knowledge in the theories, history and use of American law
Understanding of the U.S. legal system, government, historical context and foundational values
Insights into how the American legal system differs from other legal systems around the world
Fluency with advanced legal terminology through exposure to substantive texts, cases, statutes and memoranda
The ability to perform legal research and analysis necessary for work in a variety of legal settings
Understanding of legal professionalism and ethics, and the responsibilities required of representatives of clients and officers of the court

Not sure whether the Two-Year Extended LLM degree is right for you? Take our quiz to learn more.

The LLM is ideal for international professionals, including

Attorneys
Judges
Government officials
Prosecutors
Corporate legal counsel
Bankers
Recent law graduates

A global epicenter for entertainment, business, media, technology and sports — right at your doorstep. Located at the University Park Campus, USC Gould is convenient to Downtown Los Angeles and Hollywood, and sits in the heart of one of the nation’s biggest legal markets.

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When you join USC Gould, you will become part of a dynamic and diverse law school community, learn from world-class faculty, enroll in small and collegial classes, and join the global Trojan Family network of more than 15,000 law school alumni. Our graduates include partners in the world's largest law firms, pioneers in public service, and presidents and CEOs of industry-leading companies.

Recognized by LLM Guide as one of the "Top 10 LLM Programs in California," our Two-Year LLM curriculum in the first year strengthens your fluency in English while preparing you to succeed in the LLM degree at USC Gould. Then in the second year, our Two-Year LLM provides you with a thorough grounding in American law, while stimulating critical thinking and practical problem solving. Our comprehensive array of courses allows you to customize your degree to fit your career goals.

As an LLM student, you will have access to an academic support system led by a full-service staff dedicated exclusively to aiding international students. You will have the opportunity to benefit from:

One-on-one help with course registration
Tools for exam preparation
Seminars on study techniques
Individualized career development advisement
Workshops on résumé and cover letter writing, interviewing and job-search strategies
A head start on learning bar subjects by enrolling in Introduction to U.S. Legal System and Contracts and Legal Research in the first year, and more time and flexibility to enroll in bar subjects or other elective courses during the second year
USC Gould Continuing Legal Education events, where you can network with leading professionals in tax, entertainment, corporate, real estate and intellectual property law, among other fields

Early Bar Preparation and other bar exam workshops
Participation in the International Student Interview Program job fair in New York and the UCLA Interview Program in Los Angeles during the LLM
The Summer Law and English (SLE) four-week intensive
Social and athletic outings with fellow LLM students, such as a night at the Hollywood Bowl, a USC Trojan football game and a basketball game at Crypto.com Arena.
Our Office of International Services provides additional resources to assist you with your visa and other requirements for studying in the U.S. The university also maintains nine international offices worldwide.

When you graduate from USC Gould, you join USC's famed Trojan Family.

An alumni network over 437,000 strong, the Trojan Family spans the globe and will remain one of your most valuable — and lifelong — professional resources. Our more-than 15,000 law alumni share a steadfast commitment to nurturing the next generation of students.

Application Fee Waiver

We will automatically waive our $75 application fee for LLM applicants who apply before our February 1 priority deadline. Below, please find a link to a survey to request a fee waiver code for the LSAC Report for applications to USC Gould.

Request Fee Waiver