- About
About USC Gould
USC Gould is a top-ranked law school with a 115-year history and reputation for academic excellence. We are located on the beautiful 228-acre USC University Park Campus, just south of downtown Los Angeles.
- Academics
Academics
Learn about our rigorous and interdisciplinary curriculum, our invaluable experiential learning opportunities, and the breadth and depth of our specialized areas of concentration and certificate offerings.
- Admissions
Admissions
USC Gould helps prepare you for a stellar legal career. You can pursue a JD degree, one of our numerous graduate and international offerings, or an online degree or certificate.
- Student Life
Student Life
Participate in an unparalleled learning experience with diversity of people and thought. Get involved in the law school community and participate in activities that enhance your studies.
- Careers
Careers
We work closely with students, graduates and employers to support successful career goals and outcomes. Our overall placement rate is consistently strong, with 94 percent of our JD class employed within 10 months after graduation.
- Faculty
Faculty
Our faculty is distinguished for its scholarship, as well as for its commitment to teaching. Our 12:1 student-to-faculty ratio creates an intimate and collegial learning environment.
- Alumni and Giving
Alumni and Giving
The global Trojan network of more than 10,000 law alumni and donors include recognized leaders in numerous fields who are deeply committed to supporting student and law school success.

Alternative Dispute Resolution Certificate
- DEGREES
- CERTIFICATES
- + AREAS OF CONCENTRATION
- ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION
- BUSINESS LAW
- MEDIA, ENTERTAINMENT AND TECHNOLOGY LAW
- PUBLIC INTEREST LAW
- + EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING
- UNDERGRADUATE COURSES AND PROGRAMS
- CORPORATE AND CUSTOM EDUCATION
- + NON-DEGREE PROGRAMS
- ACADEMIC CALENDAR
- COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
Earning a certificate in Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) in addition to your JD degree gives you a thorough grounding and hands-on preparation in managing conflicts between parties. It also offers you a credential that demonstrates your specialized training in this growing field.
You have the option of choosing between two tracks — mediation or arbitration. However, you need not select a track to satisfy the certificate requirements.
You may earn multiple certificates offered by USC Gould. Some courses count toward more than one certificate.
Certificate Requirements
To earn the certificate, you must take at least 12 units of mandatory and elective courses as outlined below. No more than 4 units counted toward the certificate may be taken CR/D/F. The certificate program offers two tracks - the mediation track and the arbitration track. Students need not select a track to satisfy the program requirements.
The ADR courses emphasize the importance of acquiring both strong legal skills and familiarity with business concepts. The curriculum features a combination of lecture-style and skill-based courses that are taught in a workshop format.
Mandatory Courses
- ADR Law and Policy, Arbitration and Mediation
- ADR Ethics
You also must take your choice of the following:
- ADR Clause Drafting
- Cross-Cultural Dispute Resolution
- International Arbitration
Your remaining credits must be chosen from the following electives:
Arbitration Track
- ADR Clause Drafting (if not selected as a mandatory course)
- Arbitration Advocacy
- Cross-Cultural Dispute Resolution (if not selected as a mandatory course)
- Arbitration in the United States
- International Arbitration (if not selected as a mandatory course)
- International Investment Law and Arbitration
- Labor Arbitration
- International Arbitration Competition (two-semester course)
- Practicums/Externships
Mediation Track
- Business Mediation
- Cross-Cultural Dispute Resolution (if not selected as a mandatory course)
- Employment Dispute Mediation
- Family Law Mediation Clinic
- International Negotiation and Mediation
- Mediation Clinic (yearlong course)
- Advanced Mediation Clinic (typically a yearlong course)
- Mediation Advocacy
- Negotiation Skills
- Negotiation Theory and Application
- Practicums/Externships
- Mock Mediation and Mediation Competitions
Not all courses are offered every year.
You may petition to waive any required or elective course if you have taken an equivalent course outside of the law school as part of your undergraduate or other graduate degree.
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