Join Our Top-Ranked Online LLM Program and Earn a Master of Laws Degree

The Online Master of Laws (LLM) program offers a part-time curriculum to students who have already earned a first degree in law (BA in Law, LLB, or JD equivalent) from a country outside the U.S. Increase your understanding through interdisciplinary study and interaction with legal experts, seasoned academics and policymakers.

Endless opportunities await you. Earn your Online LLM degree at USC.

Earning an Online LLM degree from USC Gould requires completing 21 credit units that provide an opportunity to gain skills in a particular area of law. You can curate your concentration by selecting courses from our available fields of study. The Online LLM program provides an exciting and rewarding academic environment for international attorneys, government officials, business legal counsel, and recent law graduates interested in pursuing graduate studies in U.S. law.

Through the online LLM degree, you will develop:

Practical knowledge of the theories, history and use of American law
A strong understanding of the U.S. legal system, government, historical context and foundational values
Insights into how the American legal system differs from other legal systems around the world
Fluency with advanced legal terminology through exposure to substantive texts, cases, statutes and memoranda
The ability to perform legal research and analysis necessary for work in a variety of legal settings
An understanding of legal professionalism and ethics, and the responsibilities required of representatives of clients and officers of the court
Improved English language and writing skills

The LLM is ideal for international professionals, including

Attorneys
Judges
Government officials
Prosecutors
Corporate legal counsel
Bankers
Recent law graduates

A top-rated law school nationwide, USC Gould is the first law school in Southern California, renowned for its history of innovation and excellence in legal education.

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.

The Online LLM prepares graduates for leadership roles in a wide variety of global settings, including business, compliance, education, entertainment, finance, health care, human resources and more. Upon completion of the program on the California Bar Track, international attorneys will be eligible* to sit for the California Bar Exam.

*Note: 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. Therefore, we recommend verifying your California Bar eligibility prior to enrolling in our Online Master of Laws (LLM).

Earn a master's degree from a premier, top 20-ranked law school, fully accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA) and the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)
No GRE or LSAT required
100% online - convenient coursework
Part-time and flexible - ideal for working professionals
Students complete their studies in as few as 16 months
Deeply committed and distinguished faculty
Scholarships are available and considered for all applicants

Access to the global USC Trojan Family network, which includes more than 14,000 USC Gould alums worldwide
Create new career opportunities with a degree in U.S. law
Admission decision within two to four weeks of application completion
Three starts per year - fall, spring, or summer
Receive an additional certificate in Business Law, Compliance, Entertainment Law and Industry, Financial Compliance, Health Care Compliance, Human Resources Law and Compliance or Privacy Law and Cybersecurity at no additional cost

USC Gould's Online LLM degree is taught in a 100% digital format that combines self-paced (asynchronous) and real-time (synchronous) components.

In addition to the online LLM degree, USC Gould offers specialized LLM and master's programs.

Our interactive, online learning platform is accessible anywhere you have an internet connection.

You will engage in weekly live discussions facilitated by your professor.

You will have a collaborative online classroom experience - with small classes that allow for greater student and faculty interaction.

Our Online LLM classes incorporate both synchronous and asynchronous activities, including interactive modules, message board participation, assignments, group work, virtual office hours, and weekly live classes via Zoom. Although the format offers flexibility in terms of scheduling, our degree is academically rigorous, and each class requires approximately 12-16 hours of work each week.

Our unique academic week of Wednesday through Tuesday allows students to best maximize their time, especially on Saturdays and Sundays, to complete their course requirements.

Our experienced advisors will provide individualized guidance on course selection to meet your personal and career goals.

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:

Based in Shanghai, China, Huachen Yi has built an impressive resume since starting his law career in 2007 - holding positions with top companies like Electronic Arts, Siemens and Mattel. After more than a decade of experience working for international employers, he decided to further his knowledge of the United States legal system by pursuing an online graduate degree.Huachen Yi, LLM 2019 — Based in Shanghai, China, Huachen Yi has built an impressive resume since starting his law career in 2007 - holding positions with top companies like Electronic Arts, Siemens and Mattel. After more than a decade of experience working for international employers, he decided to further his knowledge of the United States legal system by pursuing an online graduate degree.
**Huachen Yi, LLM 2019**

Founded in Chicago in 1928, Motorola has a long history as an innovator in the field of electronic communications technology. Having changed its name to Motorola Solutions in 2011, the company continues to provide products and services to different organizations across the globe. This includes Sao Paulo, Brazil, where William Cornetta has built a successful career as an in-house counsel for Motorola since the mid-2000s.William Cornetta, LLM 2020 — Founded in Chicago in 1928, Motorola has a long history as an innovator in the field of electronic communications technology. Having changed its name to Motorola Solutions in 2011, the company continues to provide products and services to different organizations across the globe. This includes Sao Paulo, Brazil, where William Cornetta has built a successful career as an in-house counsel for Motorola since the mid-2000s.
**William Cornetta, LLM 2020**

Raytheon Technologies is one of the world's largest aerospace and defense suppliers. Among the talent supporting its global interests is Olga Pechkurova, who has been employed at one of the company's Canadian offices since graduating from USC in May 2021. In her current role as a subcontracts specialist, Olga provides legal support to the company's in-country and international operations.Olga Pechkurova, LLM 2021 — Raytheon Technologies is one of the world's largest aerospace and defense suppliers. Among the talent supporting its global interests is Olga Pechkurova, who has been employed at one of the company's Canadian offices since graduating from USC in May 2021. In her current role as a subcontracts specialist, Olga provides legal support to the company's in-country and international operations.

**Olga Pechkurova, LLM 2021**

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.