Tuition & Financial Aid
Tuition and Fees
Tuition for the standalone International Law and Human Rights Certificate is charged on a per unit basis for each semester up to 7 units enrolled. For 2026-27, the per-unit tuition rate is $3,344 and university fees for the academic year are $2,139.
Textbooks and other course materials average an additional $1,100 per semester.
USC's Office of Student Financial Services offers numerous payment options, including an interest-free USC Payment Plan for tuition and fees, paid in monthly installments.
USC Gould Scholarships
All students admitted to our International Law and Human Rights Certificate will be considered automatically for merit scholarships. In addition, applicants who submit their applications by our Early Action Deadline will be eligible for consideration for our Early Action Scholarship. Students who apply by our Priority Deadline will also be considered for our USC housing stipend. Those who are awarded a scholarship will be notified upon receiving their offer of admission.
Outside Scholarships
USC Gould highly encourages students to seek USC scholarships and financial support offered by foundations, government agencies, and corporations. It’s never too early to begin looking for “free money” for graduate school. Please explore the following resources:
- USC Scholarship Universe
- USC Awards and Fellowships Database
- CareerOneStop Scholarship Finder, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor
We also encourage you to explore financial aid from additional sources in the U.S. or your home country. In order to assist you, we have set forth a list of outside scholarship resources for your reference. While we do not have further information on these organizations nor do we endorse any, we do encourage students to contact the organizations directly for more information.
Federal Loans
Federal student loan options for the International Law and Human Rights Certificate are currently under review by the U.S. Department of Education (DOE). If the DOE approves this certificate as a gainful employment program, federal loans will become available.
Private Loans
Private educational loans can cover up to the cost of attendance, less other financial aid received. One major difference is that they can have a variable interest rate determined by the lender upon review of your credit history.
USC's Office of Financial Aid offers information about private educational loans.
Military and Veteran Education Benefits
USC supports military-connected students in their legal studies through a variety of U.S. military and veteran education benefits programs. Additionally, USC Gould is proud to participate in the Yellow Ribbon Program. We offer an unlimited number of Yellow Ribbon awards to eligible candidates, which can provide funding for much of their legal studies education. To learn more about military and veteran benefits, please contact the USC Veterans Certification Office.
Next Steps
USC Gould School of Law
699 Exposition Boulevard
Los Angeles, California 90089-0071
Copyright © 2026 USC Gould. All Rights Reserved.