- About
About USC Gould
USC Gould is a top-ranked law school with a 120-year history and reputation for academic excellence. We are located on the beautiful 228-acre USC University Park Campus, just south of downtown Los Angeles.
- Academics
Academics
Learn about our interdisciplinary curriculum, experiential learning opportunities and specialized areas.
Student Quick Links:
- Admissions
Admissions
USC Gould helps prepare you for a stellar legal career. You can pursue a JD degree, one of our numerous graduate and international offerings, or an online degree or certificate.
- Students
Students
Participate in an unparalleled learning experience with diversity of people and thought. Get involved in the law school community and participate in activities that enhance your studies.
Student Quick Links:
- Careers
Careers
We work closely with students, graduates and employers to support successful career goals and outcomes. Our overall placement rate is consistently strong, with 94 percent of our JD class employed within 10 months after graduation.
- Faculty
Faculty
Our faculty is distinguished for its scholarship, as well as for its commitment to teaching. Our 12:1 student-to-faculty ratio creates an intimate and collegial learning environment.
- Alumni and Giving
- Admissions

Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Certificate - LLM
USC Gould School of Law
- DEGREES
- CERTIFICATES
- + AREAS OF CONCENTRATION
- ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION
- BUSINESS LAW
- MEDIA, ENTERTAINMENT AND TECHNOLOGY LAW
- PUBLIC INTEREST LAW
- + EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING
- UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAMS
- CORPORATE AND CUSTOM EDUCATION
- + NON-DEGREE PROGRAMS
- ACADEMIC CALENDAR
- COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
- BAR ADMISSIONS
Earning a certificate in Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) in addition to your LLM degree gives you a thorough grounding in ADR processes and hands-on experience in managing conflicts between parties. It also offers you a credential that demonstrates your specialized training in this growing field.
Students are limited to pursuing one certificate with their degree.
Certificate Requirements
To earn the certificate, you must take at least 12 units of mandatory and elective courses as outlined below. We encourage students to complete the mandatory courses in their first semester. Students must complete at least 8 units of numeric grading within the certificate courses.
The ADR courses emphasize the importance of acquiring both strong legal skills and familiarity with business concepts. The curriculum features a combination of lecture-style and skill-based courses that are taught in a workshop format.
Mandatory Courses
- ADR Ethics
- ADR Law and Policy, Arbitration and Mediation
Elective Courses (8 or more units)
- ADR Clause Drafting
- Arbitration Advocacy
- Arbitration in the United States
- Cross-Cultural Dispute Resolution
- Divorce & Family Mediation
- Employment Dispute Mediation
- International Arbitration
- International Investment Law and Arbitration
- International Negotiation and Mediation
- Labor Arbitration
- Mediation Advocacy
- Negotiation Theory and Application
- Special Education Law Dispute Resolution
Not all courses are offered every year. Courses are open to all students, not just those pursuing a certificate. You must earn a cumulative grade point average of 2.6 in your certificate coursework to earn the ADR certificate.
RECENT NEWS

USC Gould ranks high in job market
June 28, 2022
Record numbers place Gould in the top 10 nationwide

USC Gould School of Law announces new Bachelor of Science in Legal Studies
June 20, 2022
Innovative undergraduate degree provides comprehensive foundation in law and legal infrastructure

Alumni Association’s past president John Iino joins USC Board of Trustees
June 17, 2022
The globally respected lawyer has a long record of advocacy in diversity, equity and inclusion.