Newest group of USC Gould master’s students represents nearly 40 countries worldwide

New students at Town and Gown (Photo by Larissa Puro)

The USC Gould School of Law’s Graduate and International Programs (G&IP) welcomed its newest students to campus recently, kicking off the 2022-2023 academic year.

“Seeing the world and legal issues through an international lens is essential today,” USC Gould Dean Andrew Guzman said during the Aug. 16 orientation. “We live in a truly global, interconnected environment. Business, trade, public law, environment, human rights, economics, security — they all cross boundaries, and everyone’s success relies on everyone else.”

Tour of the law library (Photo by Larissa Puro)

With 479 students from 39 countries, the group represented members of the 1- and 2-year Master of Laws (LLM); LLM in International Business and Economic Law (LLM in IBEL); LLM in Privacy Law and Cybersecurity (LLM in PLCS); LLM in Alternative Dispute Resolution (LLM in ADR), Master of Dispute Resolution (MDR) and Certificate in ADR; Master of Studies in Law (MSL); Master of International Trade Law and Economics (MITLE); Master of Comparative Law (MCL); and students in the Progressive Degree Program (PDP). An additional 230 students began courses in Gould’s online programs on Sept. 7.

Meeting Traveler and Tommy Trojan (Photo by Larissa Puro)

This year’s class represents the second cohort for MITLE. Offered jointly with the USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts, and Sciences, the MITLE program began in 2021 and was established to provide an interdisciplinary, global perspective on the laws, policies and business practices that shape international trade and economics.

This year, the Gould School is also offering two new graduate certificates jointly with the USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work, focusing on the intersection of law and social work. The Law, Social Justice and Diversity certificate will be offered in person for students who want to learn more about law and social justice, while the Social Work Administration certificate will be offered as an online-only program for students interested in the laws and regulations that impact social work.

According to Dean Guzman, whether on campus or online, Gould’s students now join the Trojan Family — a loyal, lifelong and worldwide alumni network.

“The commitment of the Trojan network to one another is unmatched,” he said. “Our law school alums feel a passion and enthusiasm for Gould that’s astounding.”