LLM Programs

LLM in Taxation

Students in the LLM in Taxation program gain a firm grounding in all major areas of taxation and preparation for advancing or launching successful careers in tax law. They expand their knowledge of tax law and network with established professionals in the field.

The extensive curriculum is taught by expert faculty members who empower students with a deep understanding of tax laws and policies and teach them to analyze proposals for tax reform.

The program is conveniently located at USF’s Downtown Campus in the heart of San Francisco’s financial district and at the San Francisco offices of Andersen Tax, so that working professionals can easily participate. A unique partnership with Andersen Tax provides the opportunity for Andersen managers and associates to earn their LLM in Taxation conveniently, and all students have the opportunity to take courses with Andersen managers and associates to develop and hone their skills and maximize career and networking opportunities. Online courses are also offered, allowing students the ultimate flexibility to earn their degree in a way that works for them. The program is offered to full- and part-time students..

LLM in Intellectual Property and Technology Law

The LLM in Intellectual Property and Technology Law Program is designed for a diverse group of lawyers — from seasoned practitioners looking to stay abreast in that constantly changing field, to recent graduates wanting to get an edge in a market where specialization is increasingly important to employers. It provides a thorough exposure to American, international, and comparative intellectual property law, and equips students with a strong grounding in legal theory and practical skills to pursue gainful employment in the intellectual property field in the US and abroad. Our alumni practice all aspects of IP law for law firms, governmental agencies, and corporations in the U.S. and abroad.

Skills training and career development are key features of the program. We offer a wide range of experiential learning and networking opportunities through our Internet and Intellectual Property Justice Clinic, Entrepreneurial Ventures Legal Services Project, and law school clinic program with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Students can also write for the nationally recognized Intellectual Property Law Bulletin and participate in our vibrant student organizations and alumni networking events.

The program is open to U.S. and foreign lawyers and requires two consecutive full-time semesters of study (August – May), and may also be completed through part-time study with the permission of the director. Graduates of the LLM Program may be eligible to take the bar exam in a number of U.S. states, including California and New York. Although students are responsible for researching eligibility requirements, which vary by state, they should inform their academic advisers at the beginning of the fall semester to discuss bar-related courses that they might choose to take.

LLM in International Transactions and Comparative Law

Students in the LLM in International Transactions and Comparative Law program, offered exclusively to foreign lawyers, Students may focus on international business and commercial transactions law, international human rights law, or an area of American law as the subject of a comparative law study. Through the hands-on Frank C. Newman International Human Rights Law Clinic, students may travel to New York or Geneva to participate in United Nations human rights meetings and conferences, bringing to life the theories learned in the classroom.

This program requires two full-time consecutive semesters of study (August – May). International students who graduate from this LLM program may be eligible to take the bar examination in California and other states.