Career Opportunities - Master of Laws (LLM) - Online
USC Gould School of Law

If you're considering our Online Master of Laws (LLM), you may be wondering how this degree will help your career.

Can the Online LLM Degree Open New Career Opportunities?

Although you may have earned a first professional degree in law and/or have experience practicing law outside of the United States, having familiarity with the U.S. legal system and applicable laws can help you:

• Increase your competitiveness as a job applicant by holding a master's degree in law.
• Add value to your current role through greater understanding of how the law intersects with your responsibilities.
• Enhance your resume by developing a specialization in business law, compliance, entertainment law, financial compliance, health care compliance, human resources law and compliance, or privacy law and cybersecurity. Learn more about our online certificates.
• Become eligible to apply to sit for the California Bar exam, based on your prior education, certifications, and LLM studies.

Preparing for Bar Exam

By enrolling in LLM classes at USC, you will be exposed early to a variety of bar subject areas, including Topics in American Law (a survey course discussing property, criminal law and procedure, evidence, and torts) and Legal Profession, which is needed for the Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination (MPRE).

USC Gould academic and career advisors can assist you with choosing courses that help prepare you for the bar exam in California. However, we 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. While the Online LLM is designed to meet the postgraduate requirements to sit for the California Bar exam for those deemed eligible, there are conditions that must be met at the undergraduate and/or employment level.

Our online coursework does not meet eligibility requirements for other jurisdictions, including New York, District of Columbia (DC), or Washington.

Possible Career Pathways

While legal job titles or responsibilities can overlap depending on the organization, possible outcomes for graduates of our Online LLM include:

• Attorney
• Staff Attorney
• Chief Counsel
• Chief Legal Officer
• Data Privacy Officer
• Director of Business Development
• Director of Compliance
• Employment Law Attorney
• Entertainment Lawyer
• General Counsel
• Intellectual Property Lawyer

Is the Online LLM Degree Right for You?

The Online LLM is designed for students who are interested in expanding their knowledge of U.S. law and representing clients who have global business relationships in the United States or with U.S.-based companies. Before applying, consider whether you are looking to advance your legal career or take the next step in your academic journey. We recommend that you identify a concrete goal for earning this degree to receive the greatest benefit. Our degree is meant to be used to prepare international attorneys aspiring to practice law in the United States and enhance their legal current skill set.

Moreover, a degree from a top school like USC can help open new opportunities in your profession. Many of our students can expand their professional networks simply because they are a member of the renowned Trojan Family Network, our international network that includes over 10,000 USC law school alumni across the globe.

Taking the Next Step

The Online LLM is tailored for working professionals and those with other obligations so you can obtain your degree on a part-time basis. Alternatively, students can complete our program in as few as four semesters, making the Online LLM an ideal option for anyone wanting to enhance their career with law while working full-time.

Are you interested in exploring new career opportunities with an Online LLM degree? Learn more about our application process and deadlines or contact one of our advisors.