Degree Requirements

To earn a Master of Comparative Law (M.C.L.) degree, students are required to be present in residence at USC attending classes and must successfully complete 24 units of credit over two semesters of study. The M.C.L. program is offered on a full-time basis only and is not offered part-time. Enrollment begins in the fall only. Students may not begin in the spring term.

Students are required to enroll in a comparative law course and must complete the M.C.L. writing requirement. To satisfy this writing requirement, students are required to enroll in Directed Research during the fall or spring semester. The M.C.L. Academic Director or a Law School faculty member will supervise the M.C.L. Directed Research course. Students may apply a minimum of two units and a maximum of four units of Directed Research toward the degree.

Students satisfy their remaining course requirements over the two semesters by enrolling in upper division courses offered at USC Law. No transfer credit for work completed at other law schools will be granted toward the M.C.L. degree at USC Law.