At the beginning of the new year of 2023, HYP Global signed a formal cooperation agreement with the Straus Institute of Pepperdine University School of Law, becoming the designated enrollment partner of the school in China to promote popular master's programs. Pepperdine University School of Law is one of the best law schools in Southern California, on par with the law schools of UCLA and the University of Southern California. The "Dispute Resolution" major of the Straus Institute under the law school has been ranked first in the United States for many years in the U.S. News ranking.

University Introduction

Pepperdine University (PPD) is a top private research university in the United States. It was founded in 1937 by Christian businessman George Pepperdine. The school includes Seaver College, Law School, School of Educational Psychology, Business School, and School of Public Policy. The school follows the traditional American private education concept and adopts a small-class teaching model. The undergraduate faculty and students are about 3,500, and the graduate students and other courses have about 5,000 students.

The school has many campuses, including the main campus in Malibu, California, which has beautiful sea views, the West LA campus in Los Angeles, California, and the Irvine campus in California. It also has international campuses in Italy, Germany, Switzerland, Argentina, and other places. Its Malibu campus is located in the famous wealthy area of Los Angeles. According to the safety ranking of the top 100 schools in the United States, Pepperdine University is one of the safest schools among the top 50 schools in the United States.

University Rank

From 2009 to 2022, the overall ranking in the United States has always been around the top 50. U.S. News once explained that because the school's undergraduate education has always been centered on liberal arts education and adopts the education model of Liberal Arts College, it does not have much advantage in the U.S. News ranking of comprehensive research universities. Because of its outstanding academic reputation and teaching quality, coupled with its outstanding Christian values, Pepperdine University is also commonly known as the "Harvard University" among Christian prestigious schools.

Campus Scenery

The main campus of the school is located in Malibu Beach, around Los Angeles, California, about 40 minutes' drive from downtown Los Angeles. The California scenes in the movie version of SEX AND THE CITY were filmed here, and the movie Iron Man was also filmed here (Iron Man Tony Stark's home is a Malibu coastal mansion). The school's scenery is like a dream. Princeton Review magazine listed the school as "having dormitories like palaces" in 2004 and 2007, and in 2006 and 2012, the magazine ranked the school as the champion of "the most beautiful campus".

Students Characteristics

This university can be called an "aristocratic school" among famous American schools. Zong Fuli, the daughter of the former richest man in China, Zong Qinghou, and Li Si, the daughter of Jet Li, graduated from this school. Many descendants of famous families, such as European aristocrats, Arab princes, and children of family businesses, graduated from this school. The school has a huge influence on the American entertainment industry. Too many American stars or their children graduated from this school, such as Eric Christian Olsen, Kelly Hu, Chace Crawford (the male protagonist of Gossip Girl), Brandi Norweg, etc.

Law School

Pepperdine has one of the best law schools in Southern California. A large number of students will work in investment banks, large law firms, and government agencies in Southern California after graduation. The small and exquisite characteristics make it easy for law school students to find internships and job opportunities after graduation.

The pass rate of law school students in the California Bar is also very high. As one of the most difficult exams in the world, Pepperdine Law School has an 82% pass rate. Among schools of the same level, UCLA and Pepperdine have the same pass rate.

The law school is most famous for entertainment law and arbitration law. The law school of the school is very famous throughout California. The school is famous throughout the United States for its arbitration law characteristics of its law school. The ranking of the "dispute resolution" direction of the Straus Institute under its law school has surpassed Harvard and ranks first in the United States.

Faculty Strength

Pepperdine University has a strong faculty. Two U.S. Supreme Court justices, Antonin Scalia and Samuel Alito, have taught constitutional law at the school's law school. These two judges are the most conservative of the nine U.S. Supreme Court justices, and their interpretation and contribution to the U.S. Constitution were once recognized in the American legal community.

Dean of the school's law school, Deanell Tacha, was selected as one of the "100 People in the American Legal Community" by Time in 2016. In 1985, she was invited by President Reagan to become the Chief Judge of the United States Federal Court of Appeals (10th Circut Court Cheif Judge). She was also the first female Chief Judge of the Federal Circuit Court of Appeals at the time. In 2011, she was appointed Dean of the Law School. Under her leadership, the law school is becoming one of the most unique law schools on the West Coast of the United States.

Social Influence

Pepperdine University has a close relationship with the family of former US President Reagan. Doctor of Law Nancy Reagan is a graduate of the law school of the university. In 1974, when the university was founded, Reagan, then the governor of California, personally planted a "Reagan tree" at the university to commemorate the Reagan family's affirmation of Pepperdine University's teaching philosophy. In Reagan's later years, he spent a lot of time on the establishment of the school's School of Public Policy, which also made the school a major Republican school in the United States. Today, Pepperdine University's School of Public Policy and School of Law have become the vane of the American right. In the eyes of the Southerners, where the Republican Party has a dominant force, Pepperdine University has shaped an excellent and prestigious school of "Republican thought."

Popular Programs

The Traus Institute for Dispute Resolution at Pepperdine University School of Law is a world-leading educational program in this field, offering academic programs in dispute resolution, including certificates, master's (MDR), and LLM in Dispute Resolution. The Institute has been repeatedly recognized as the foremost academic center of its kind, with full-time teaching and research staff from the United States, Canada, Latin America, Asia, and Europe. Its broad and in-depth curriculum serves emerging and experienced lawyers, including legal professionals, business people, and community leaders.

Master of Dispute Resolution (MDR)

Pepperdine's Master of Dispute Resolution (MDR) prepares students for future careers in a variety of legal and non-legal fields. The study of conflict is not limited to the legal world. Students apply their MDR to a variety of fields such as: resource, law enforcement, business consulting, education, international diplomacy, and more.

LLM in Dispute Resolution

The LLM in Dispute Resolution is considered the premier course in dispute resolution. It comprises a flexible 26-unit curriculum that balances theoretical knowledge with applied practice. Students will focus on various dispute resolution mechanisms, including negotiation, mediation and arbitration, as well as gain practical experience through required mediation training and internship programs.

LLM in International Commercial Arbitration (ICA)

The Master of Laws in International Commercial Arbitration has a strong legal academic foundation course related to international commercial arbitration. At the same time, in a simulated international arbitration environment, it guides students to learn, review, and practice the negotiation and mediation process to improve their practical skills. Sufficient legal elective courses in the program will also help students pass the New York or California bar exams.

LLM in International Commercial Law and Arbitration (ICLA)

The LLM in International Commercial Law and Arbitration (ICLA) is designed for students who wish to develop expertise in commercial law and international commercial arbitration, helping students understand the U.S. legal system and acquire practical skills.

LLM in International Commercial Law and Dispute Resolution (ICLDR)

The LLM in International Commercial Law and Dispute Resolution (ICLDR) is designed for students who wish to develop expertise in commercial law and dispute resolution. This flexible degree program is designed for legal professionals interested in commercial cross-border transactions and dispute resolution.

LLM in United States Law and Dispute Resolution (USLDR)

The LLM in American Law and Dispute Resolution is designed for students who wish to focus on taking legal courses and preparing for the U.S. Bar Examination. It also provides legal professionals with advanced knowledge of U.S. law and the dispute resolution system. Lawyers living outside the United States often pursue this graduate degree to practice law in the United States or because they are involved in interacting with the U.S. legal system.

LLM in Entertainment, Media, and Sports Law (EMS)

The only program in the U.S. that combines entertainment, media, and sports law, including dispute resolution and business. Nestled in the hills of Malibu, California, Pepperdine offers a variety of entertainment, media, and sports law events for the program, including the National Entertainment Moot Court Competition, Esports Symposium, Farmers Field Mediation, and multiple workshops including Sports Arbitration, Doping, and Sports Culture, Women in Hollywood: 100 Years of Institutional Negotiation, The New Normal in College Sports, and more.

LLM in United States Law (USL)

LLM in United States Law (USL) is designed for international legal professionals seeking to study American law under the guidance of internationally recognized scholars. The American Law LL.M. provides students with foundational legal courses, help in taking the U.S. Bar Exam, and flexibility for those who want to maximize their legal studies and choose their own courses and concentrations.

Tuition Fee

Master of Dispute Resolution (MDR) $74,880

Master of Laws (LLM) $60,840

Reference: https://law.pepperdine.edu/admissions/financial-aid/cost-of-attendance-graduate-programs.htm

Application Information

Transcripts for undergraduate and above (all transcripts must be officially sent to LSAC, no additional certification is required)
English scores (TOEFL 95, IELTS 7 recommended)
2 letters of recommendation
1~2 page personal statement
Resume
Law major LLM requires undergraduate law major LSAC online application, total fee $250, entrance: https://llm.lsac.org/login/access.aspx?appl=4326L1