Earn Your LLM Master's Degree in 1 Year

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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.

Through the LLM degree, 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

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 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.

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
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
the 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

At the heart of our educational philosophy is a deep-rooted commitment to student success. Learn more about the student experience from our 1-year LLM alums:

Being an LLM student at USC was amazing! I shared so many memories and experiences with my classmates throughout the year. My relationships went beyond being classmates — we became family. Now I truly understand what Trojan Family really means. Hiroyuki Takahashi (Japan), LLM 2015 — Being an LLM student at USC was amazing! I shared so many memories and experiences with my classmates throughout the year. My relationships went beyond being classmates — we became family. Now I truly understand what Trojan Family really means. **Hiroyuki Takahashi (Japan), LLM 2015**

Photo of USC Gould LLM student Isabela Adami smiling — "The LLM at USC was a very rewarding opportunity. While expanding my legal knowledge, I was able to interact and enhance my network with individuals who had diverse legal backgrounds from all over the world."
**Isabela Adami (Brazil), LLM 2014**

"I would choose USC again, without question. The LLM definitely prepared me for my career. The courses gave me a good understanding of the U.S. legal system, and I was glad that USC participates in the International Student Job Fair in New York. I made amazing connections and had a wonderful experience."
Nikolai Unmuth (Germany), LLM 2015

"The LLM at USC offers an unrivaled instruction in U.S. law taught by passionate academics and leading practitioners. By bringing together students from across the world and all walks of life, USC creates an intellectually stimulating and enriching learning environment."
Michael Zymler (United Kingdom), LLM 2015

"USC gave me everything I needed to understand the legal world in the United States, make amazing connections with other USC alumni, and access some of the leading law firms in the world, including the firm I currently sit as a Partner. I couldn’t have done it without the incredible support of ‘SC!"
Rahul Soni, LLM 2010

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.

Interested? Learn more.

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

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