Requirements for the J. D. Certificate in Public Interest Law
The Public Interest Law Certificate Program requires that the
Certificate student complete 12 credit hours of approved
coursework in public interest law.
Certificate students must complete the two required courses along
with an approved public interest clinic, externship or seminar.
Required Courses:
- Public
Interest Law and Policy (3 credit hours)
This course offers an overview of the issues faced by lawyers representing low income clients and lawyers who serve under-represented and disenfranchised groups. The course will begin with an investigation of the meaning of public interest law.
The bulk of the course will cover the key cases decided and legislation passed since the 1960s when the Johnson Administration launched its war on poverty in the United States.
These cases may include court decisions and legislation affecting income support for low income people including federal welfare programs, social security and state general assistance programs.
Low income housing, medical care, nutrition and access to courts may also be explored.
In addition, the course will explore ethical issues that arise when lawyers represent low income clients and professionalism questions that are raised by the special role lawyers play in providing access to justice.
- Legal Writing IV - Public Interest Law (3 credit hours)
Elective Courses:
- Each student must prepare a curriculum plan designating courses
that total at least an additional 6 credit hours (including
either a public interest clinic, externship or seminar) to fulfill
the hour requirements of the Certificate.
- Each individual student's curriculum plan must be approved
by the Director of the Program.
Completion of the Chicago-Kent Certificate of Service
Each student seeking the Certificate in Public Interest Law must
obtain satisfactory completion of the pro bono requirements set
by PIRC for the receipt of the Chicago-Kent
Certificate of Service.
Completion of the Public Interest Career Path Planning Process
At least two career path planning sessions, either group or individual
counseling sessions must be completed. A Career Path Plan must
be completed prior to graduation.
- Letter
of Intent: Every prospective Public Interest Certificate
candidate must fill out a Letter of Intent in order to register
to be in the Public Interest Certificate Program. Please return
completed Letters of Intent to the Center for Access to Justice
& Technology in room 775. Filling out a letter of intent
does not obligate you to complete the program, but it does register
you as a member of the Public Interest Law Program. Members
of this program will be put on an email list to receive notice
of upcoming events in the Public Interest Law Program.
- Career
Services Public Interest Student Survey: After filling out
the Letter of Intent to participate in the Public Interest Certificate
Program, students should then complete the Public Interest Student
Survey and return it to the Center for Access to Justice &
Technology in room 775. This document is used by the Career
Services Office to determine each student's public interest
career goals for the first portion of the Career Path Planning
Process. The Career Services office also uses the results of
the survey to funnel goal specific information to interested
students.
Additionally, Students must schedule a meeting with the Career
Services Office within 6 weeks of turning in their Letter of
Intent and Public Interest Student Survey.
- Application
for the Certificate in Public Interest Law: The application
is ONLY to be completed in the final semester prior to graduation.
This application is used by the Registrar to verify that the
student completed the course work required for the Certificate
in Public Interest Law. If any information on this application
changes, please submit an updated application.
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