University of San Diego School of Law

Introduction

The University of San Diego School of Law is a center of academic excellence focused on preparing its students for legal practice in the new century. One of the most selective law schools in the country, the School of Law’s nationally recognized faculty create a demanding, yet welcoming, environment that emphasizes individualized education. USD law school graduates go on to practice law throughout the country and abroad, forming an influential network of alumni. The USD School of Law is one of only 84 law schools in the country to have a chapter of the Order of the Coif, the most distinguished group of American law schools. The school is accredited by the American Bar Association and is a member of the Association of American Law Schools. Founded in 1954, the law school is part of the University of San Diego, a private, nonprofit, independent, Roman Catholic university chartered in 1949. In addition to the intellectual pursuits available at the School of Law, the ideal Southern California climate and location of the beautiful campus provide students with a wide range of other opportunities. As a major Pacific Rim gateway to Latin America, the Far East, and Southeast Asia, San Diego is an exceptional location for the study of law in a global context, and is also home to a wide variety of exciting cultural, social, philanthropic, and sports events every year.

Physical Facilities

• Library hours: Monday through Thursday, 7:00 am–midnight; Friday and Saturday, 8:00 am–10:00 pm; Sunday, 8:00 am–midnight
• Extensive collection of legal research materials, including full range of electronic journals and databases
• Free campus-wide wireless network
• Access to on-campus fitness centers, tennis courts, sports fields, and an Olympic-sized pool

Housing

For information about-off campus housing options and costs, please visit the University of San Diego Off-Campus Housing for Graduate and Law Students website. There are numerous apartment, condo, or house-rental options throughout the San Diego community, including in neighborhoods surrounding the campus.

LLM Programs/Areas of Specialization

The University of San Diego School of Law is a long-standing leader in graduate legal education. Each year, the School of Law is pleased to welcome attorneys, judges, law professors, and recent law school graduates from the United States and throughout the world into our six Master of Laws (LLM) programs. Our diverse curriculum and flexible LLM programs allow our degree candidates to design a course of study suited to best meet their individual academic and professional development needs.

Each of our LLM programs is described below. Additional information is available on the LLM programs website, or by contacting:

University of San Diego School of Law
Warren Hall, Room 218
5998 Alcalá Park
San Diego, CA 92110
USA

Phone: 619.260.7584
Fax: 619.260.2218
Email: llminfo@sandiego.edu

LLM Business and Corporate Law

The LLM in Business and Corporate Law is a professional development degree designed specifically for attorneys who need to expand an existing practice to include complex business transactions, as well as those who seek to change their practice from a law firm to an in-house position as corporate counsel.

• Application available: Ongoing
• Application deadline: June 1 for fall; November 1 for spring; April 1 for summer
• Application fee: $0
• Letters of recommendation: one required
• Tuition
• All full-time applicants are considered for merit scholarship awards
• Full-time and part-time options available

LLM in U.S. Law (for international attorneys)

The LLM in U.S. Law provides international law school graduates with the opportunity to design a program that specifically suits their academic interests and professional goals. The program offers candidates maximum flexibility in selecting courses from a contemporary and dynamic curriculum, and is ideal for attorneys, judges, professors, and other graduates of international law schools.

• Application available: Ongoing
• Application deadline: June 1 for fall; November 1 for spring
• Application fee: $0
• Letters of recommendation: one required
• Tuition
• All full-time applicants are considered for merit scholarship awards
• Full-time and part-time options available (pending visa restrictions)
• Available optional concentrations: Business and Corporate Law, Criminal Law, Environmental and Energy Law, International Law, Intellectual Property, and Taxation

LLM in International Law

The LLM in International Law is a professional development degree that allows attorneys to further develop their knowledge and expertise in the area of international law. With the growing global economy, studying international law in a dynamic, multicultural city, which is home to the busiest land and port entry in the world, is a unique opportunity for US attorneys.

• Application available: Ongoing
• Application deadline: June 1 for fall; November 1 for spring; April 1 for summer
• Application fee: $0
• Letters of recommendation: one required
• Tuition
• All full-time applicants are considered for merit scholarship awards
• Full-time and part-time options available

LLM in Spanish

La Maestría en Derecho Estadounidense es un posgrado de derecho de Estados Unidos estructurado con materias que buscan el conocimiento y comprensión del Derecho Americano así como la práctica de las mejores técnicas en litigación oral. Las clases se imparten totalmente en español y en modalidad virtual.

• Application available: Ongoing
• Application deadline: May 1 (summer term only)
• Application fee: $0
• Letters of recommendation: two required
• Scholarships are not available for this program
• Tuition
• Full-time online format

LLM in Taxation

For over 45 years, the Graduate Tax Program at the University of San Diego School of Law has produced skilled leaders in the field of tax law. The LLM in Taxation provides candidates with the necessary theoretical and practical framework that employers require. Through intensive study, students develop a broad skill set in traditional tax lawyering skills. In addition, students gain a deep understanding of the policies forming the basis of our tax laws and Internal Revenue Service pronouncements and are able to analyze the various proposals for tax reform and their correlation with current tax laws.

• Application available: Ongoing
• Application deadline: June 1 for fall; November 1 for spring; April 1 for summer
• Application fee: $0
• Letters of recommendation: one required
• All full-time applicants are considered for merit scholarship awards
• Tuition
• Full-time and part-time options available

General LLM with Concentration

The General LLM with Concentration is a professional development degree that provides attorneys with additional education in selected areas of study. This degree is ideal for attorneys seeking in-depth training in an area of law in which they currently practice, as well as for those planning to develop a new area of practice.

• Application available: Ongoing
• Application deadline: June 1 for fall; November 1 for spring; April 1 for summer
• Application fee: $0
• Letters of recommendation: one required
• Tuition
• All full-time applicants are considered for merit scholarship awards
• Full-time and part-time options available
• Available concentrations: Criminal Law, Intellectual Property, Environmental and Energy Law, and Labor and Employment Law

Student Services and Organizations

The Student Bar Association is the umbrella organization for the student-run clubs at the University of San Diego School of Law. The various groups conduct orientation programs, provide study assistance, represent group concerns, sponsor speaker programs, participate in and sponsor competitions, host social activities, and promote community relations. There are over 40 student organizations dedicated to a variety of topics, including the Tax Law Society, Business Law Society, Intellectual Property Law Association, and the Public Interest Law Foundation.

Career and Professional Development

The Career and Professional Development Office at the University of San Diego School of Law works closely with individual students throughout the job-search process. Available assistance and resources include personalized career advising, résumé and cover-letter review, video mock interviews, recruiting programs, alumni workshops, on-campus interviewing, career-services guides, cosponsored job fairs, and career development programs, among others.