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Curriculum

LLM in Business Law

Degree Requirements

The on-campus LLM in Business Law is offered on a full-time basis, and students may begin in the fall or spring semesters. To earn this degree, you must attend all classes in person and successfully complete 24 academic units over two semesters. As part of the 24 units, students must complete a minimum of 12 units from the mandatory courses and the Business Law electives listed below.

Mandatory Courses

Two courses are required for all students:

  • Business Organizations
  • Mergers and Acquisitions

International students must also enroll in Introduction to U.S. Legal System.

Electives

You will satisfy your remaining course requirements with electives of your choice, ensuring that a total of 12 units of mandatory and elective courses are completed from within the Business Law-specific curriculum. Please note that not all classes are offered every year or every semester.

You will find our course offerings on the USC Schedule of Classes.

Business Law Electives

Select from among the electives below to meet the 12-unit business law course requirement for the degree:

  • Accounting for Lawyers
  • Administrative Law and Regulatory Policy
  • Antitrust Law I
  • Analytical Methods for Lawyers
  • Bankruptcy: Debtors and Creditors
  • Business Bankruptcy
  • Business for Lawyers
  • Contracts
  • Contract Drafting, Analysis and Negotiation
  • Corporate Finance
  • Corporate Fraud
  • Corporate Taxation
  • Counseling the Startup Company
  • Dealmaking in the Entertainment Industry
  • Intellectual Property
  • International Business Transactions
  • Partnerships and Limited Liability Companies
  • Secured Transactions
  • Securities Regulation
  • Taxation
  • Transactional Due Diligence
  • Venture Capital and Emerging Companies

Marshall School of Business Courses

Students may enroll in select courses offered by the Marshall School of Business. Enrollment is based on availability and is not guaranteed. Marshall courses do not count towards the minimum units required for the LLM in Business Law, nor can they be used to satisfy bar requirements. Please note all Marshall courses must be taken for a letter grade.

Certificates

Students in the LLM in Business Law may elect to earn a certificate in the following specialization:

This certificate requires the completion of 12 units of law coursework specific to that certificate, as outlined on the certificate curriculum page. This may or may not include classes outside of the law school, depending on the specific certificate curriculum. There are no additional tuition costs associated with the certificates. Students are limited to pursuing one certificate with their degree.

Bar Exam Curriculum

We can assist you with choosing courses that help prepare you to sit for the California, New York, Texas, or Washington state bar exams. Please see the Career and Bar page for more information.

Please note that enrollment in an LLM does not guarantee that you will be eligible to sit for a U.S. bar exam. Only the bar administrators of that jurisdiction can confirm your eligibility for that state’s bar exam.

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