LOS ANGELES, March 28, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- The University of Southern California (USC) Gould School of Law is proud to announce the launch of a Two-Year Extended Master of Laws (LL.M.). We are pleased to enroll Asian students to spend one year developing U.S. legal knowledge and English skills prior to enrolling in our LL.M. program in their second year.
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"This is a unique program that allows students to master the skills they need to succeed in both our LL.M. program as well as in their legal careers after graduation," said Misa Shimotsu-Kim, director of USC Gould Graduate & International Programs.
During the first year, students will develop their legal reading and comprehension skills, case briefing skills, legal analysis and synthesis skills in the U.S. common law system. They will also develop their basic research and citation skills, as well as their exam-writing skills.
"We created these courses to prepare students for our LL.M. program as well as to develop tools that lawyers use in day-to-day practice. Students will learn a variety of practical skills, such as client communication and oral advocacy, alongside foundational U.S. legal subjects. Many students wish for a program that allows them to spend more time learning about American law and acclimating to the culture and practice of law in the U.S.," said Shimotsu-Kim.
Upon successful completion of the first-year courses, students will receive a Certificate in U.S. Legal Studies and are guaranteed admission to the LL.M. program for the second year. In the second year, students may choose from a variety of courses, including those to satisfy requirements to sit for the California, New York, or District of Columbia bar exam. Some LL.M. students choose general subjects while others pursue one of our specialization certificates to complete within the program, in Business Law, Entertainment Law, or Alternative Dispute Resolution.
The new Two-Year LL.M. program is the latest innovation conceived by USC Gould Dean Andrew Guzman. Guzman believes that offering more options for international students is one of the keys to bringing greater diversity and international perspective to USC Gould.
"We recognize that the practice of law is becoming increasingly international. Through our programs, we seek to share our knowledge of U.S. law, as well as gain insight into the laws and cultures of other countries," said Guzman.
For more information, visit http://gould.usc.edu/how/gip/2-year/ or contact our Graduate & International Programs office at gipadmissions@law.usc.edu or +1-213-821-5916.
