Overview

Graduates of the Alternative Dispute Resolution degree offered at University of Southern California leave the program confident in their abilities to effectively participate in negotiations, mediations and arbitrations as advocates or neutrals.

In addition to skills-based instruction, students develop a deep understanding of underlying policies and legal ramifications for a full range of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) options.

Key Features

The LLM in ADR is a demanding, yet flexible, 24-unit degree program offered on a part-time or full-time basis. Students may begin their studies in the fall semester. This LLM is open to anyone with a law degree (JD, LLB or equivalent).

Through the LLM degree programs, you will develop:

The ability to perform legal research and analysis necessary for work in a variety of legal settings

Understanding of legal professionalism and ethics, and the responsibilities required of representatives of clients and officers of the court

Improved writing and public speaking skills

Careers

As a graduate of the LLM in ADR degree, you will be able to achieve greater levels of success within your current organization, or may use the degree to prepare for a career as a mediator or arbitrator. USC Gould offers specialized career workshops to the ADR degree students. These workshops include specific group and individualized guidance on:

preparing for a career in and building a network as a mediator or arbitrator

building business plans for ADR practice

developing materials to market your ADR practice

networking to build your ADR practice

operating your ADR practice as a business

In addition to developing a practice as a mediator or arbitrator, many types of careers benefit from exposure to ADR practices. The courses are developed to build widely useful skills such as communication, problem-solving, management and team-building.

Programme Structure

Courses include:

ADR Law and Policy: Arbitration and Mediation

ADR Ethics

Negotiation Theory and Application

ADR Clause Drafting

Arbitration Advocacytoggle arrow icon

Arbitration in the United Statestoggle arrow icon

Cross-Cultural Dispute Resolutiontoggle arrow icon

Directed Researchtoggle arrow icon

Divorce and Family Mediationtoggle arrow icon

Employment Dispute Mediationtoggle arrow icon

International Arbitration

Key information

Duration

Full-time
- 12 months

Start dates & application deadlines

Starting 2026-08-24 00:00:00
- Apply before 2026-06-01 00:00:00 , National
- Apply before 2026-05-01 00:00:00 , International

Language

English

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Credits

24 SCH

Delivered

On Campus

Campus Location

Los Angeles, United States

Disciplines

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Academic requirements

We are not aware of any specific GRE, GMAT or GPA grading score requirements for this programme.

English requirements

TOEFL^® IBT

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PTE Academic

Schedule a PTE test!

IELTS

Prepare for Your English Test

Cathoven AI IELTS Preparation

Learn your IELTS Score

AI-powered IELTS feedback. Clear, actionable, and tailored to boost your writing & speaking score. No credit card or upfront payment required.

Trusted by 300k learners
98 accuracy using real exam data
4.9/5 student rating

Other requirements

General requirements

Online USC Gould or LSAC Application

Personal Statement. Following the directions provided in your online application, provide a two or three-page document that includes your personal, academic, and professional background and your reasons for pursuing the LLM in ADR degree.

Resume/Curriculum Vitae (CV)

Official Transcripts and Degree Verification

Tuition Fees

Tuition fees are shown in and the most likely applicable fee is shown based on your nationality.

International Applies to you

Applies to you

Non-residents

84034 USD / year

≈ 84034 USD / year
Out-of-State

84034 USD / year

≈ 84034 USD / year
Domestic

Applies to you

In-State

84034 USD / year

≈ 84034 USD / year

Living costs

Los Angeles

United States

1520 - 2570 USD / month

The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.

Financing

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Funding

Win a €10000 Scholarship! Deadline: 30 June 2020

Embark on your journey with the Studyportals Scholarship! We're giving away a total of 20,000 euros to help you achieve your dream of studying abroad.

Win a €10000 Scholarship! Deadline: 30 June 2020

Embark on your journey with the Studyportals Scholarship! We're giving away a total of 20,000 euros to help you achieve your dream of studying abroad.

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Scholarships Information

Below you will find Master's scholarship opportunities for Alternative Dispute Resolution.

Available Scholarships

You are eligible to apply for these scholarships but a selection process will still be applied by the provider.

On this page

About

Overview

Key Features

Careers

Programme Structure

Key information

Duration

Start dates & application deadlines

Language

Prepare for Your English Test

Credits

Delivered

Campus Location

Disciplines

What students do after studying

Academic requirements

English requirements

Prepare for Your English Test

Other requirements

General requirements

Tuition Fees

International Applies to you

Domestic

Living costs

Los Angeles

Financing

Funding

Scholarships Information

Available Scholarships

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