USC Online LLM Forum

[ForeignLLM]

I am a common law lawyer (UK), living in the US and am eligible to sit for the bar exam in NY (just waiting for confirmation).
Last year, I thought about enrolling on a LLM in US law to get a solid background in US law and use it in my workplace (law related). Due to work commitments, I did not enroll, but now the idea of an LLM online is appealing.

Any thoughts on the online LLM at USC?

https://onlinellm.usc.edu/llm-degree/curriculum/

[The Lsat Airbender]

Sounds like a decent use of time, if you have it, and a huge waste of money.

I would only do this if your employer pays for it and/or if you have a concrete reason for needing an LLM.

[QContinuum]

Sounds like a decent use of time, if you have it, and a huge waste of money.

I would only do this if your employer pays for it and/or if you have a concrete reason for needing an LLM.

Agree with the above in its entirety, especially the bolded part. An online USC LL.M. is going to do nothing to improve your job prospects, and may even harm them. (Many employers look askance at online degrees, rightly or wrongly.) Only do it if it'll be free, and/or if it's low-cost and it'll help make you bar-eligible in other states (kinda doubt it, but I'm not an expert on bar eligibility) and you're potentially interested in moving to those other states (if any).

[ForeignLLM]

Thanks for your replies. I generally also agree that a residential program is a better fit.

My reason to study the LLM is to fill a gap and move on to better work in house or related positions as a contracts manager etc. My knowledge of US law including, contracts, employment, and other topics is zero, so I do need to fill this gap to become more employable. As for my employer paying it, it is probably a bit too early for that and they would raise eyebrows for sure.

I generally thought USC has a good reputation as a law school and wouldn't think an online degree would be such a problem, but it is also true that some employers look at these degrees with a certain suspicion. I have looked at one of the graduates of the online USC LLM, he is the principal in KPMG's in international tax in Chicago, but this guy is already quite senior in his role (I actually messaged him, but still waiting for a response), so he is probably not the best example.