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Our on-campus Master of Laws (LLM) is a full-time, one-year program focused on the U.S. legal system, open to anyone with a first law degree (LLB or equivalent) outside of the United States.

Advance Your Career

The USC Gould LLM offers a flexible and far-reaching curriculum that prepares international students for leadership roles in the increasingly globalized marketplace. Enhance and expand your legal practice with foundational skills and knowledge about U.S. law 

In addition to the 1-year, on-campus LLM, USC Gould offers a 100% online LLM degree as well other specialized LLM and master's programs.

Interested? Learn more.

Receive more information about our on-campus LLM degree and be notified of upcoming events:

The LLM Benefit

LLM Degree Outcomes

Through the LLM degree programs, you will develop:

  • 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
  • Improved writing and public speaking skills

Who Should Get an LLM?

The LLM is ideal for international professionals, including

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

Study in the heart of Los Angeles

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.

The USC Gould Advantage

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.

Why Choose the 1-Year LLM at USC Gould?

Recognized by LLM Guide as one of the "Top 10 LLM Programs in California," our LLM curriculum stimulates critical thinking and practical problem solving in addition to providing you with a thorough grounding in American law. 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.  And our Office of International Services provides additional resources to assist you with your visa and other requirements for studying in the U.S. 

Benefits

  • 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
  • Participation in the International Student Interview Program job fair in New York and the UCLA Interview Program in Los Angeles
  • Early Bar Preparation and other bar exam workshops
  • 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
  • Summer Law and English four-week intensive
  • Social and athletic outings with fellow LLM students, including a night at the Hollywood Bowl, a USC Trojan football game and a basketball game at Staples Center

Students for now — Trojans for life.

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

An alumni network over 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.

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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.

Redefined Blog

New certificate expands USC Gould's offerings in law and artificial intelligence
USC shield graphic in cardinal outlines on a white background.
New certificate expands USC Gould's offerings in law and artificial intelligence
USC Gould School of Law launches an on-campus certificate specialization in Law and Artificial Intelligence.
August 20, 2024
Alumni Spotlight: Hazel Navarez (LLM in ADR, 2023)
LLM in ADR Alumna, Hazel Navarez, smiles at camera in front of green foliage.
Alumni Spotlight: Hazel Navarez (LLM in ADR, 2023)
Meet Hazel Navarez, an aspiring legal professional from the Philippines who graduated with an LLM in Alternative Dispute Resolution in December 2023.
February 5, 2024
Alumni Spotlight: Chen-Yun Weng (LLM 2023)
LLM alumnus, Chen-Yun Weng, appears before a white background in business formal attire and looks into the camera.
Alumni Spotlight: Chen-Yun Weng (LLM 2023)
Learn why former product engineer Chen-Yun Weng (LLM 2023) chose USC Gould’s LLM program.
November 14, 2023

Connect with USC Gould

Drop-in Advising

Speak with an Admissions Advisor without an appointment every Monday 9 – 10 am PST via Zoom here (September – November, excluding U.S. national holidays)

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