Degree Programs

Juris Doctor

The Juris Doctor (J.D.) is the basic law degree. To obtain the degree, full-time attendance for six semesters is required. During the first year, the student takes a required curriculum of basic courses that examines fundamental legal institutions and addresses legal problems relevant to today's society and the modern practice of law. The second and third years of law study are primarily elective. The student has discretion in course selection, except for legal ethics and writing requirements.

Dual Degrees

The Law Center maintains dual degree programs with the graduate programs in accounting, business administration, economics, philosophy, public administration, social work, international relations, religion, real estate development and communications. These programs enable qualified students to earn a law degree (J.D.) and the appropriate master's degree. If the master's degree normally requires one year of study, a student in a dual degree program earns both degrees in only three years. If the master's normally requires two years of post-baccalaureate courses, a total of four years is required.

The goal of these programs is to encourage law students to gain a recognized competence in another discipline which has a direct relevance to the roles lawyers play in society. The dual degree programs are based on the premise that some topics covered in the Law Center are also covered in the programs of the cooperating departments, so that some credit toward the law degree may appropriately be given for specified graduate work taken in the cooperating department. Similarly, the cooperating departments have recognized that some credit toward the master's degree may appropriately be awarded for certain work completed in the Law Center.

Continuing Legal Education

The Law Center's Continuing Legal Education Program provides the legal community with the greatest variety of offerings of any law school in the West. The Law Center has been approved as a provider of Minimum Continuing Legal Education by the State Bar of California.

The institutes and conferences division presents eight annual programs: the Probate and Trust Conference, the Institute on Federal Taxation, the Financial Services Institute, the Institute for Corporate Counsel, the Entertainment Law Institute, the Computer Law Institute, the Health Care Industry Real Estate Institute, and the Family Law Institute. In addition, the Advanced Professional Program offers classes and seminars for lawyers and other professionals who wish to enhance their skills and practical knowledge in specialized areas.

For information on institutes, conferences and classes, contact the Law Center's Continuing Legal Education Program office at (213) 740-2582.

Produced by the USC Division of Student Affairs, Office of University Publications, May 1, 1995
Joye Day
day@mizar.usc.edu