2. Personal Statement
Following the directions provided in your online application, provide a two or three-page document that includes your personal, academic, and professional background and your reasons for pursuing the LLM in IBEL degree. If you have prior education or experience in international business or economic law, please take a paragraph or two to tell us about it.
3. Resume/Curriculum Vitae (CV)
Following the directions provided in your online application, provide a record of your employment history and list of any distinctions, publications, and licenses/credentials.
4. Official Transcripts and Degree Verification
You must have earned your first law degree (JD, LLB or equivalent) by the time you enroll at USC Gould School of Law. Following the directions provided in your online application, submit official transcripts from all institutions attended.
Domestic Applicants: If all of your degrees are from within the U.S., you must submit official transcripts directly to USC Gould at the address below or by email to gipadmissions@law.usc.edu. Official transcripts must be received directly from the institutions.
LLM in International Business and Economic Law (LLM in IBEL) Degree
USC Gould School of Law
699 Exposition Boulevard, Room 105
Los Angeles, California 90089-0071
International Applicants: If you hold any degree from outside the U.S, you must submit official transcripts to LSAC for evaluation using its International Transcript Authentication and Evaluation Service (ITAES). Credential evaluation takes 2-3 weeks to complete once LSAC has received all of your documents; there may be further delay during LSAC's peak processing periods or if LSAC determines that additional information is required to complete its review. We therefore suggest that you apply as early as possible so that there is no consequential delay in LSAC transmitting its evaluation report to us. Fees charged by LSAC for utilizing its services, including for ITAES, are payable to LSAC. Please visit LSAC's website for more information about fees charged by LSAC, including its refund policy. USC Gould requires a $75 application fee, which will be waived if you apply by our priority deadline.
5. English Proficiency
If you are not a U.S. citizen or U.S. permanent resident (Green card), you must are take the Test of English as Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS). TOEFL/IELTS waiver requests will only be considered if (1) your native language is English, or (2) you possess an undergraduate degree, master’s degree, or doctoral degree from an institution in a country where English is both the language of instruction and the only officially recognized language of the country in accordance with the USC Graduate Admissions Policy.
- USC Gould does not have a minimum TOEFL or IELTS score; however, we recommend a 90 TOEFL iBT and a 7.0 IELTS or above.
- Please have your official scores sent to LSAC if you submit your application through LSAC. LSAC's institutional code is 8395.
- Test scores must be dated within two years (24 months) of the application date.
- USC does NOT accept MyBest TOEFL scores of applicants as valid proof of language proficiency. We will consider the single best total TOEFL or IELTS score you submit along with the sub-scores from that test.
- We also accept Cambridge English C1 Advanced Exam and PTE (Pearson Test of English) in lieu of TOEFL or IELTS.
The LSAT or GRE exam is not required for admission. In addition, letters of recommendation are not required.
The Admissions Committee will not review your application until all transcripts and supporting documents are received. It is your responsibility to ensure that all of your documents are submitted by the final application deadline. Be sure to regularly check the email address you have provided on the application in the event that the Admissions Committee request additional materials or information.
