lawyer

USC ranks among the Top 25 "National Universities" in the United States

Accreditation

USC Gould School of Law is accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA).

Welcome to USC Law

Welcome to USC Law

USC is the first law school to offer an online Master of Laws (LL.M.) degree with the option of earning a graduate certificate in Business Law; both of these qualifications can be completed online in one year of full-time study. Enroll in USC and learn about the U.S. legal system from your corner of the world.

USC Online Master of Laws (LL.M.)

The USC online Master of Laws (LL.M.) is open to international law graduates with an LL.B. or equivalent degree. A J.D. degree alone does not satisfy the eligibility requirements for entry to the online LL.M. program.

Offered through the renowned USC Gould School of Law and taught by prominent USC law faculty, the online LL.M. classes can be tailored to individual interests and career goals.

Designed to meet the growing demand for U.S.-based legal study by international attorneys, judges, government officials, prosecutors, corporate legal counsel, bankers and recent law graduates, the in-demand USC online LL.M. program has earned the American Bar Association’s acquiescence.

U.S. law has become the common ground for international business and is impacting the way we do business on a global scale. As the legal profession continues to evolve, no school is better positioned to provide the education for the next generation of legal professionals who will practice on a worldwide stage.

The online program allows international students to pursue a graduate degree focused in American law while meeting their professional and personal obligations in their home countries. Classes offered online mirror those taught in the residential program.

— Dean Andrew Guzman, USC Gould School of Law

USC Online Business Law Certificate

The USC online Business Law Certificate is open to both international students and domestic J.D. graduates who may utilize business law in their career.

This certificate program can be completed as a standalone program or included in the LL.M. required coursework to specialize your degree.

More than 80% of our students want to take the business organizations course. They’re business lawyers, and they’re coming here to learn American business law.

— Donald Scotten, Graduate & International Programs Associate Academic Director

When you earn a graduate certificate in business law online from USC, it signals to employers that you have the knowledge and skills—from organizational and financial aspects to deal making and contract negotiation—important to providing top-notch legal counsel in a business context.

The following link provides information regarding related jobs, cost, loan debt and completion rate for the program: Gainful Employment Disclosure

Top 5 reasons to choose USC for your LL.M. or Business Law Certificate

Deciding where to pursue your LL.M. can be one of the most important decisions of your career. As the legal profession becomes increasingly globalized, earning a U.S. Master of Laws degree from USC proves that you can excel in a multilingual setting. Beyond the solid return on investment that an esteemed USC qualification has been known to offer, we recommend that you consider the following factors:

1. Global Law School Reputation

With a distinguished 100-year heritage of leadership and excellence, USC Gould School of Law is known to be highly selective and recognized as one of the top law schools in the world.

2. Resources for International Students

The Graduate International Programs (G IP) Office boasts a full team of dedicated staff members who provide international students with one-on-one help regarding course registration, academic support, career development advisement and more.

From admissions and orientation to events and career services and beyond, we are a one-stop shop. Our students like to know that we’re going to take care of them.

— G IP Director Misa Shimotsu-Kim

3. Stimulating Learning Environment

Our courses will challenge you to be a better thinker, even as you enjoy camaraderie and mutual ambition with some of the brightest student minds coming together from diverse countries, such as Kuwait, Brazil, Italy, France, El Salvador, Philippines, New Zealand, Guatemala, Jordan, Mexico, Uganda, United Kingdom, and China.

There are so many people from so many different countries. The diversity is the best part, finding out how things work in different countries.

— Maria Ochoa, Mexico

4. Summer Law English Program

USC offers an optional, enriching four-week summer program on campus that provides excellent preparation for the LL.M. This program provides an introduction to the U.S. legal system while also improving your English fluency and delivering a memorable life experience.

The Summer Law English Program provided me with the opportunity to study and exchange ideas with other foreign lawyers, bankers, government officials and in-house consultants from all over the world.

— Dandan Fan, China

5. Worldwide Trojan Family

USC law alumni total more than 10,000 worldwide. USC has a strong global presence, and it shows in the fact that our law students come from top universities around the world with impressive credentials. Each year, more than 8,000 international students join USC from more than 100 different countries. Approximately 25% of our graduates are international students.

The LL.M. program was a challenging and very rewarding experience that allowed me to gain first-rate knowledge and understanding of a legal system and academic way of thinking, both new to me.

— Adeline Boulanger Simenon, France