Yes. "LLM" is the standard abbreviation for the Master of Laws degree. It is derived from the name of the qualification in Latin, “Legum Magister”, with “legum” as the plural of "lex", meaning law.
Gain the necessary experience to work in variety of global industries and settings, including business law, compliance, cybersecurity, education, entertainment, financial compliance, health care, human resources and more.
Students who have earned a JD, LLB or equivalent prior to enrollment in our program.
Our on-campus LLM degree is offered completely in residence at our USC University Park campus in Los Angles.
Format: Full-Time | On Campus
Eligibility: JD, LLB or equivalent
Start: Fall | Spring
Spend one year learning about the U.S. legal system and mastering legal English prior to enrolling in the one-year comprehensive LLM curriculum.
Format: Full-Time | On Campus
Eligibility: JD, LLB or equivalent
Start: Fall
Our LLM in ADR is designed for law graduates interested in building strength as an advocate in ADR processes, including as a mediator or arbitrator.
Format: Full-Time | Part-Time | On Campus
Eligibility: JD, LLB or equivalent
Start: Fall | Spring
Our LLM in IBEL degree focuses on the relevant laws, policies and business best practices that shape international commerce and trade.
Format: Full-Time | On Campus
Eligibility: JD, LLB or equivalent
Start: Fall | Spring
Our Master of Laws (LLM) in Privacy Law and Cybersecurity educates students on the integral laws, policies and best practices that shape privacy law and cybersecurity.
Format: Full-Time | On Campus
Eligibility: JD, LLB or equivalent
Start: Fall | Spring
USC Gould's Online LLM degree is taught in a 100% digital format that combines self-paced (asynchronous) and real-time (synchronous) components.
Format: Part-Time | Online
Eligibility: JD, LLB or equivalent
Start: Fall | Spring | Summer
Our MCL degree is ideal for international students that have already earned their LLM degree and want to continue their studies of U.S. and comparative laws.
Format: Full-Time | On Campus
Eligibility: LLM
Start: Fall | Spring
SLE is a four-week program that strengthens students’ English speaking and writing proficiency while helping to build a foundation for future legal studies in the United States or your LLM at USC Gould.
Format: Full-Time - 4 Weeks
Eligibility: Undergraduate degree
Start: Summer
Through the LLM degree, you will develop:
The LLM is ideal for international professionals, including
Yes. "LLM" is the standard abbreviation for the Master of Laws degree. It is derived from the name of the qualification in Latin, “Legum Magister”, with “legum” as the plural of "lex", meaning law.
While a JD degree is a first law degree in the U.S. an undergraduate LLB degree is a first law degree in many other countries. Typically, the LLM is for international students who have obtained an LLB or equivalent and are looking to develop a deeper, master’s degree-level understanding of the U.S. legal system.
Yes, USC Gould School of Law offers the option to earn an LLM online in a 100% digital format that combines self-paced (asynchronous) and real-time (synchronous) components.
Depending on specifications and certificate tracks, the Online LLM can be completed in as few as 16 months. For those interested in pursuing a Two-Year Extended LLM, USC Gould offers an on-campus program.
Applicants to USC Gould's LLM must have earned their first degree in law (e.g. Bachelor of Laws (LLB) or License in Law) from outside of the United States. If you earned your JD from a law school in the U.S., then please consider our on-campus, specialized LLM programs: Alternative Dispute Resolution, International Business and Economic Law, or Privacy Law and Cybersecurity.
The LLM is designated for those with a first professional degree in law outside of the United States, such as Bachelor of Laws (LLB) or License in Law. The Master of Studies in Law (MSL) is for non-lawyer professionals hoping to gain a greater understanding of law.
The LLM is a valuable degree for professionals seeking leadership roles in the global market.
Through the LLM you will develop:
Read more about degree outcomes and career opportunities for LLM graduates.
Upon completion of the program on the California Bar Track, international attorneys may be eligible to sit for the California Bar Exam. USC Gould School of Law cannot determine your eligibility to sit for the California Bar exam since each applicant is reviewed on a case-by-case basis by the State Bar. We recommend verifying your eligibility prior to enrolling in one of our LLM programs.
Explore our flexible, legal master's programs for professionals — who do not have prior law degrees — in any field seeking to redefine or specialize their careers.
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