Graduate & International Programs Registration Guidelines
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The Graduate & International Programs Office will register each G&IP student (LL.M., M.C.L. or VIP) for classes each semester. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO REGISTER YOURSELF via Touchtone or Web registration. The G&IP Office will manage your registration needs.
All LL.M. students must take two mandatory courses in the fall: Introduction to U.S. Legal Education (2 units) and Legal Research (1 unit). Each student will be registered automatically for a section of Legal Research that best fits the student's schedule. There are no mandatory classes in the spring.
When completing the Registration Form include your first choice classes (not to exceed 14 units) for the semester and up to 3 alternate classes. We will not register you for your classes if the form does not include your first choice and alternate classes.
You may add or drop classes to your schedule through the Add/Drop deadline (check the academic calendar for deadline).
GRADING
Law School classes are graded on a numeric basis (example: 3.2 = B; see Law School grading chart) or on a CR/D/F basis (Credit -, D or F). You will note that some classes are graded numerically only, some CR/D/F only and some classes provide for the option of numeric grading or CR/D/F grading. CR/D/F grading is as follows: If you earn a numeric grade of 2.4 (C) or higher, you will receive a mark of "CR" in the course, which will not be calculated into your GPA. If you earn a numeric grade of 2.3 or below, you will receive the corresponding numeric grade (2.0 - 2.3 = D, 1.9 = F), WHICH WILL BE CALCULATED INTO YOUR GPA. We suggest that you consider taking all of your fall semester classes for a numeric grade and reserve CR/D/F grading for the spring semester if needed. Please see our Academic Policies for CR/D/F unit limitations.
LL.M. PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS
To earn your LL.M. (Master of Laws) degree, you must satisfactorily complete a minimum of 21 units during the fall and spring semesters. LL.M. students must achieve a cumulative GPA of at least 2.6 to matriculate from the LL.M. program. In the fall semester, we encourage LL.Ms to enroll in no more than 10 or 11 units.
MCL PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS
To earn your M.C.L. (Master of Comparative Law) degree, you must satisfactorily complete a minimum of 24 units during the fall and spring semesters. M.C.L. students must achieve a cumulative GPA of at least 2.6 to matriculate from the M.C.L. Program. In the fall semester, M.C.L.s should plan to enroll in 12 units.
BAR EXAMS
Many G&IP students wish to take a bar exam after the completion of their studies. Each of the state's bars have different eligibility requirements and students that are considering taking a bar exam should review their eligibility requirements carefully and submit documents as per their instructions. We encourage you to begin this process immediately so that you can determine your eligibility. If you are considering the NY Bar, note that in most cases an LL.M. degree from an approved U.S. law school will satisfy their eligibility requirements provided that it is based on at least 20 semester hours of credit and includes a minimum of two basic courses in American law. A list of the 'basic courses in American law' that we offer at USC Law School, which have been approved by the NY Bar, are attached for your review.
Please note that the New York State Board of Law Examiners does not recognize Directed Research or Dissertation courses as satisfying the "basic courses in American law", or as courses in "professional law subjects" because there is no classroom study component for such courses. Accordingly, the Board does not count the courses toward the 20 credit requirement under Section 520.6 of the Rules of the Court of Appeals.
1L (FIRST-YEAR) & UPPER-DIVISION COURSES
We strongly advise G&IP students to enroll in Upper-Division courses and to avoid enrolling in 1L courses. As Introduction to U.S. Legal Education and Topics in American Law courses survey most of the topics covered in 1L courses, G&IP students are introduced to this material. For those students considering a bar exam, we advise all students to enroll in a bar preparation review course (such as BarBri). In that manner, you will also focus on the subjects that may be of interest to you among the 1L courses.
REGISTRATION
Although preference is not granted to G&IP students in the registration process, the Law School makes every effort to accommodate every student. Enrollment in various courses is sometimes difficult because the number of students desiring to participate exceeds the spaces available. In those cases, G&IP students will be waitlisted based on the order in which their Registration Forms were submitted. As a result, the earlier a student submits their Registration Form, the better the chance of securing a higher spot on a waitlist. The Registration Form does not guarantee enrollment in any course or seminar but it enables the Law School to plan for classes in which there is a significant level of interest, among other things.
LAW REVIEW & JOURNALS
G&IP students are not permitted to participate in Law Review or Moot Court during their studies at USC Law School.
