Juris Doctor (JD) Degree & Program | USC Gould School of Law

The first law school in Southern California and among the most distinguished nationwide, the USC Gould School of Law is committed to providing a legal education that trains tomorrow’s leaders in law and society.

USC Gould’s Juris Doctor (JD) degree program prepares students to pursue their passions and launch meaningful careers across legal practice, business, government and public service.

Learn the foundations of law in the heart of Los Angeles, the second largest legal market in the U.S.
Immerse yourself in real-world, practice-focused experience at the school that helped pioneer clinical and interdisciplinary legal education
Shape your academic journey through multidisciplinary offerings, study abroad programs, and dual degrees

Incoming USC Gould students receive scholarship funding

Increase in financial aid for USC Gould students since 2011

California Bar pass rate in 2022 (among top 3 in the state)

Employed full-time 10 months after graduation (2021 JD Class)

At USC Gould, we are focused on honing your expertise in a wide range of legal specialties and providing the skills to reach your professional goals.

Combining world-class scholarship with exceptional experiential learning, USC Gould puts legal knowledge in your mind — and the future in your hands.

View Curriculum Experiential Learning Opportunities

At the heart of our educational philosophy is a deep-rooted commitment to student success.

At USC Gould, you are part of a scholarly community that is not only vibrant and impressive, but also supportive and collegial. You also have access to resources, programming and dedicated staff that will help you throughout your law school journey.

With a student-to-faculty ratio of 12:1, you are able to learn, interact and engage directly with our renowned faculty — who know you by your first name.

Meet our faculty

One of the hallmarks of USC Gould is our collaborative learning environment, where fellow students are your colleagues, not your competition. We are also home to over 40 student groups that match your breadth of interests.

Explore student organizations

USC Gould is proud to be home to students from all backgrounds, cultures and places. Our 1L class consistently ranks among the nation's most academically accomplished, and currently more than 10% are first-generation college students.

View class profile

From our wide range of course offerings to study abroad alliances with leading global universities, you will find – and explore – your passion through a customized course of study. Our hands-on clinics enable you to represent clients and make a vital impact on people’s lives and the community.

Learn about our clinics

Our dynamic University Park Campus is located in the heart of sunny Los Angeles — the country's second-largest legal market — a nexus of entertainment, business and culture, a gateway to the Pacific Rim, and a burgeoning technology hub known as Silicon Beach.

Tour the law school and USC campus

From the beginning of your legal studies, USC Gould’s Career Services Office works one-on-one with you to tailor your plan for a seamless transition to the practice of law.

Learn about our career services

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

An alumni network nearly 480,000 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.

Celebrating Gould’s History of Trailblazers

Spotlights on Notable Alumni

Trojan Title IX trailblazer never hesitates to challenge the status quo

Dorothy Wright Nelson went from dean of USC Gould to judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit

A Champion for Principles

Yvonne Brathwaite Burke (JD 1956) reflects on her many "firsts" in politics

Living – and protecting – the American dream

Alum You Chung Hong helped thousands of families, becoming the nation’s foremost Chinese attorney.

Learn more about our JD application process and admissions requirements.

Application Instructions

Through the legal knowledge and analytical skills gained at USC Gould, our students are well-positioned for careers that effectuate great change and bring great benefit to society. We tend to attract students who are not only academically accomplished, but who also have a strong moral and ethical fiber — which is very important for practicing law and serving as a leader.

Franita Tolson Dean and Carl Mason Franklin Chair in Law, USC Gould School of Law