Application Instructions

You may perform most of the tasks in any order you choose provided you submit your application and all supporting documents by 5 p.m. (Pacific Time) on the application deadlines listed above. You are responsible for monitoring your LSAC account to ensure that you meet all deadlines.

1. Create an LSAC account

   Create an "LSAC" and Other Law Programs account and purchase the required services, including LSAC's Electronic Application Processing Service (EAPS), Document Assembly Service (DAS), and International Transcript Authentication and Evaluation Service (ITAES), at least six weeks before your first law school application deadline. EAPS, DAS, and ITAES are considered part of LSAC's Credential Assembly Service (CAS).Note: The fee for EAPS, DAS, and ITAES is $42, $59, and $150, respectively. LSAC will charge an additional $36 to send your CAS Report to USC Gould. Fees charged by LSAC for utilizing its services are payable to LSAC. Please click here to read more information about fees charged by LSAC, including its refund policy.
   
   

2. Arrange to have your official academic records sent to LSAC

   It is your responsibility to request an official copy of all required academic records to be sent to LSAC directly from each institution attended. Transcripts issued to you or sent to LSAC by you via mail or email will not be accepted or processed. Once you have listed your institutions attended, the Transcript Request Form(s) will be available through your LSAC account. International transcripts/academic records must be mailed directly to LSAC from the issuing institution in a sealed school envelope with the school's official stamp or seal across the back flap. Schools should send your official documents to:

   LSAC
   LLM Credential Assembly Service
   662 Penn Street
   Dept. 8511
   Newtown, PA 18940-8511
   United States of America

   Documents from institutions outside of the United States may take 2 to 3 weeks for LSAC to process once all academic records have been received; there may be further delay during LSAC's peak processing period or if LSAC determines that additional information is required to complete their review. We recommend applying as early as possible so that there is no consequential delay in LSAC transmitting its evaluation report to us.
   
   

3. Register for an English proficiency exam (if applicable)

   If you are not a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, you must take the Test of English as Foreign Language (TOEFL), International English Language Testing System (IELTS), Cambridge English C1 Advanced Exam, or Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic.

   English proficiency waiver requests will only be considered if (1) your native language is English, (2) you hold a bachelor’s degree completed in its entirety in the United States or U.S. bachelor’s-equivalent in a qualifying Anglophone country, and (3), you have completed a master’s or doctoral degree from a country in which English is both the language of instruction and the only official language prior to applying.

   • USC Gould does not have a minimum TOEFL, IELTS, C1 Advanced, or PTE score. Here are the recommended scores to achieve:
     • TOEFL iBT Home, iBT Paper Edition, or the standard in-person TOEFL iBT: 90 or above, with 20 or above in each section. We do not accept MyBest TOEFL score.
     • IELTS Academic or IELTS Indicator (Online version): 6.5 or above, with 6 or above on each band.
     • Cambridge English C1 Advanced Exam: 176 or above, with 169 or above on each skill.
     • PTE Academic and PTE Academic Online: 61 or above, with 53 or above on each band.
   • Official TOEFL and IELTS scores must be sent directly to LSAC. LSAC's institutional code is 8395. Cambridge C1 Advanced Exam and PTE Academic must be sent to directly to USC Gould School of Law.
   • English-proficiency scores must be dated within two years (24 months) of the date you submit your application.
   • USC does not waive the English-proficiency requirement based on any other consideration, such as work experience, ESL enrollment, amount of time spent in the United States, etc. It also cannot be waived based on programs taught in English in non-Anglophone countries.
     
     
4. Apply to USC Gould School of Law electronically
   • Under "My Home" tab in your LSAC account, click on the blue "School Search" button and on the blue "Alphabetically" button; look for "University of Southern California, Gould School of Law" and click the blue "Add" button to add USC Gould to your school list.
   • In your "My School List," USC Gould should be listed. If so, click on the light green "Application Information" button and then look for your term of interest and "Online LLM for Foreign Lawyers." Then, click "Apply and Submit Online," which will add the application to your account.
   • Your application should be included under "My Active Applications." Click on the light green "Go to Application" button to review application instructions and complete all questions.
   • We have automatically waived the $75 application fee for all USC Gould Online LLM applicants.
     
     
5. Submit your Statement of Purpose

   The statement of purpose is your primary opportunity to discuss who you are beyond the application basics. We are particularly interested in how your academic and professional background has led to your decision to study law. This is not the place to repeat items on your resume/curriculum vitae (CV). Please address the following questions in your statement of purpose:

   • Why do you want to pursue the LLM degree at USC Gould?
   • How do you plan to use this degree to advance your career?
   • What strategies will you put into place to be a successful online graduate student?

   The statement of purpose should be two to three pages, double-spaced and in at least 12-point font. We value essays that are clear, concise, and compelling. Please upload this document as part of your LSAC application.
   
   

6. Submit your Resume/Curriculum Vitae (CV)

   Provide a record of your employment history, volunteer commitments, extracurricular activities, and any awards and/or honors. Please upload this document as part of your LSAC application.
   
   

7. Purchase law school report through your account
   Once you have completed your LSAC application, uploaded both your personal statement and resume, please purchase the CAS report fee when you apply. A $36 report fee will be automatically added to your shopping cart when you submit an electronic application. Use your account to verify that your report was sent to USC Gould when you applied.

Note: Admission to the Online LLM does not require letters of recommendation, nor any LSAT or GRE exam scores. Additional application materials or interviews may be requested by the Admissions Committee.

The Online LLM program is not qualified to issue Form I-20 to international students. If you wish to receive a student visa, please consider our On-Campus LLM program.