Master of Laws in Alternative Dispute Resolution (LLM in ADR)
USC Gould School of Law

USC Gould ranked #19
Best Law Schools


Recognized Course Provider


Recognized Course Provider

Our Master of Laws in Alternative Dispute Resolution (LLM in ADR) is designed for exceptional law graduates and attorneys interested in building strength as an advocate in ADR processes or gaining skills and a prestigious credential for pursuing career opportunities as a mediator or arbitrator.

The LLM in ADR is a 24 unit degree program, offered on a part-time or full-time basis. Students may begin their studies in the fall or spring semesters. This LLM is open to anyone with a law degree (JD, LLB or equivalent).

In addition to building valuable negotiation, mediation and arbitration skills as an advocate for a client or as a neutral, you will develop a deep understanding of underlying policies and legal ramifications for a full range of ADR options.

Why Choose USC Gould?

Top reasons to pursue the LLM in ADR at USC Gould:

• Earn a master's degree from a top 20 law school that's also recognized by LLM Guide as offering one of the top 10 ADR programs in the world.
• Complete your degree in as little as one year.
• ADR is one of the fastest-growing fields — less than 2 percent of lawsuits make it to trial; today an overwhelming majority of litigation disputes are resolved through ADR.
• Convenient and flexible scheduling — Classes are held during the day, in the evening and on weekends to accommodate working professionals. The law school is located on the USC University Park Campus in Los Angeles.
• Scholarships and Housing Stipends offered — All applicants will be considered automatically for our scholarship awards and housing stipends. Exceptional candidates will receive a prestigious Dispute Resolution Scholars Award. Our scholarship awards and stipends range in amounts.
• Receive career and professional support — includes workshops and individually tailored advice on developing your career plan for mediation or arbitration, as well as mentorship opportunities with dispute resolution professionals and tools for exam preparation.
• Join the Trojan Family — a renowned network of over 375,000 alumni who are deeply committed to furthering the success of USC graduates. Our more than 12,000 law graduates include partners in the world's largest law firms, leaders of civil rights movements, and CEOs and presidents of multibillion-dollar companies.
• Gain hands-on practical skill development — learn from faculty who are top-tier neutrals and bring decades of experience in dispute resolution. You'll also have access to clinical and experiential learning opportunities that help you become a seasoned professional. You will mediate real cases through our Practical Mediation Skills Clinic.
• Become a Member of CIArb, one of the world's most recognized credentials in arbitration — As one of only three Recognized Course Provider schools in the U.S. for the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb), a leading professional membership organization representing the interests of ADR practitioners worldwide, USC Gould students are eligible to join CIArb at the Member level upon completion of specified coursework within the ADR curriculum.
• Create new career opportunities — organizations increasingly use dispute resolution processes to handle business and human resources issues. ADR expertise increases your marketability for a range of work settings, including business, government, human resources, counseling, education and social work. Lawyers trained in dispute resolution also learn to become more effective advocates for clients regardless of the area of practice.

The LLM in ADR is ideal for:

• Professionals pursuing a career path as a mediator, arbitrator, trainer or dispute resolution consultant
• ADR practitioners who seek to deepen their expertise
• Lawyers seeking to become more effective advocates through the ADR process
• In-house counsel who assist organizations with conflict management
• International attorneys interested in designing ADR processes in their home countries
• Academics looking to sharpen their understanding and credentials in dispute resolution
• Recent graduates striving to further their career goals

Through this program, I have gained a good foundation in international arbitration. The rich selection of international courses and the possibility to tailor the curriculum so as to reflect each student's core interests are strengths of USC Gould's ADR programs.

Rohit Adlakha, LLM in ADR 2018

Through my LLM in ADR program coursework at USC, I was able to upgrade my membership with the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators. With an amazing faculty and staff, USC Gould should be the first choice for anyone serious about improving their skills in ADR and gaining world-recognized credentials.

Sean Galliher, LLM in ADR 2019

USC Gould offers an alternative master's degree in dispute resolution. Learn more about the Master of Dispute Resolution (MDR).

View our ADR Programs Flowchart to see which offering might be the best fit for you.

THE LATEST NEWS. REDEFINED.

Mediation's Future as a Profession
November 29, 2021

Read more from the Redefined. blog.