The Law School’s certificate programs encompass five vibrant and enriching areas of legal practice. Certification from any of these longstanding and highly regarded programs and institutes endorses the student as a specialist — a graduate who offers employers a level of subject mastery that is significantly beyond that which may be learned in the general J.D. curriculum.     

Four of the Law School’s certificate programs have at least a 25-year track record of producing industry leaders within their areas of legal specialization. Their reputation, reach, and influence have grown steadily over the years, opening limitless career doors and options for today’s students.

The Law School also offers Concentrations, which encourage and support increased academic focus within a field of interest, but do not result in a certification. They include foundational requirements, a menu of electives, one upper-division writing requirement, and a transition to practice course requirement. Each concentration has a designated faculty member as its coordinator to advise students concerning course selection.
 
Catholic Law also has two research centers available: the Center for Religious Liberty and the Center for Law and the Human Person. Within the Center for Law and the Human Person is the Project on Constitutional Originalism and the Catholic Intellectual Tradition (CIT).
 
Catholic Law offers certificates in these practice areas:

Comparative and International Law Institute (CILI)

Legal practice is increasingly worldwide, transcending national boundaries and cultures. In the 21st century, it is likely that many lawyers will experience problems involving international and foreign applications of law. The Comparative and International Law Institute (CILI) responds to the intensified need for competent lawyers to effectively advise on the laws of more than one country. CILI prepares students for careers in the public and private areas of international law, including such skills as direct negotiation with foreign governments, multinational corporations, and international financial institutions.

Curriculum
Required Courses: Public International Law, Becoming a Lawyer, which is the classroom component of the legal externship requirement, plus two courses chosen from a menu of electives in the areas of comparative law, European law, trade, international business, and international economic regulation

Elective Courses: Two courses chosen from an extensive menu of electives that includes foundations of modern law, comparative law, economic development, human rights, immigration, intellectual property, maritime law, national security law, and space law

Practical Training: One externship in the area of comparative and international law

Admission
Students are encouraged to apply to the institute at the time of their application to the Law School. Enrollment is limited.

For More Information
Website: Comparative and International Law Institute
Contact: Geoffrey Watson, Director, 202-319-5140, Watson@law.edu 

Compliance, Investigations, and Corporate Responsibility (CICR)

Compliance, internal investigations, and corporate responsibility are among the hottest areas in legal practice today. Businesses, not-for-profit organizations, and government agencies are now focusing more attention than ever before on the areas of legal compliance with domestic and global standards, risk management, and the conduct and management of internal investigations. Governments and international organizations, as well as shareholders, consumers, and other constituents are increasingly demanding both greater organizational transparency and management practices designed to sustain organizations and our world in an ethical and responsible manner.

Curriculum
Required Courses: Corporations, Compliance, and Corporate Responsibility, Conducting Internal Investigations, Risk Management, Audit and Financial Controls, and Information Privacy

Elective Courses: Two courses chosen from an extensive menu of electives. Click here to view the Elective Courses.

Practical Training: One externship in the compliance field

Required Writing Project: Students must complete a significant writing project

Admission
Students are encouraged to apply to the institute at the time of their application to the Law School. Enrollment is limited.

For More Information
Website: Compliance, Investigations, and Corporate Responsibility
Contact: Sarah H. Duggin, Director, 202-319-6073, Duggin@law.edu 

Law and Public Policy Program (LPP)

The Law and Public Policy Program (LPP) is for students interested in careers in the public policy arena. Taking advantage of Catholic Law's location in Washington, DC, the program offers specialized courses and externships, opportunities for interdisciplinary study, academic counseling, and co-curricular activities designed to expose students to the public policy-making process. The Program trains students in the skills important to lawyers who participate in the development of law and policy in legislative, administrative, and judicial fora. Students in the program observe and participate in the practice of public policy law and study the lawmaking roles played by lawyers. LPP students also do extensive research and writing on public policy issues and engage in hands-on advocacy work.

Curriculum
Required Courses: Becoming a Public Policy Lawyer, Public Policy Practicum, and Administrative Law.

Politics Elective - Select one of five courses: Campaign Finance, Civil Rights, Election Law, Legislation: The Meaning and Making of a Federal Statute, and Lobbying and the Law. In lieu of the Policy Elective, students may pursue a second externship or a Catholic Law Clinic. 
 
Elective: One course focusing on a particular area of public policy.
 
Co-curricular Activities: Participation in the Law and Public Policy Forum.
 
Practical Training: Two externships or clinics related to law and public policy

Admission
Students are encouraged to apply to the LPP program at the time of their application to the Law School. Enrollment is limited.

For More Information
Website: Law and Public Policy Program
Contact: Mr. Brian G. Svoboda, Director, Room 343A in the Academic Affairs suite, brian.svoboda@gmail.com.

Law and Technology Institute (LTI)

LTI will offer an enhanced curriculum to students interested in exploring the many important legal questions and policy debates surrounding evolving technologies. The curriculum will equip students with a well-rounded foundation while also allowing them to pursue a particular area of interest, including communications law, data privacy law, and intellectual property law.  LTI students will gain valuable practical experience through externships in government, industry, public interest organizations, and law firms.

Curriculum
To earn an LTI certificate, students must complete a rigorous, yet flexible, course of study that provides students with a well-rounded foundation as well as specialized training in communications law, data privacy law, and intellectual property law. For each of the tracks, students must complete three mandatory courses, three electives, and a transition-to-practice course. LTI students work closely with the Institute directors in designing their course of study, choosing electives, and ensuring that all LTI requirements are satisfied. 

Admission

Students are encouraged to apply to the Law and Technology Institute at the time of their application to the Law School. Enrollment is limited.

More Information
Website: Law and Technology Institute
Contact: Megan M. La Belle, Co-Director, 202-319-5140, LTI@law.edu 
             Elizabeth I. Winston, Co-Director, 202-319-5140, LTI@law.edu

Securities Law Program (SLP)

The Securities Law Program placed its students in the top echelons of the field, including partners at major law firms, regulatory chiefs, and even commissioner on the Securities and Exchange Commission, leading positions that are a testament to the excellence of the program and its graduates. The broad and varied concentration of securities and corporate law courses, as well as the breadth of available externships, accommodate students who engage in this area of study at varied levels of intensity. The Law School’s D.C. location enables many of its securities offerings to be taught by senior staff from the SEC and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), as well as by full-time faculty members. 

Curriculum
Required Courses: Corporations, Introduction to Securities Law, and Administrative Law

Elective Courses: Two courses chosen from an extensive menu of electives. Click here to view the Elective Courses.

Practical Training: Two externships in the area of Securities law (at least one must be taken for academic credit).

Writing: One writing requirement in the area of securities law

Co-curricular Activities: Active membership in the activities of the Securities Law Program is required.

Admission
Students are encouraged to apply to the Securities Law Program at the time of their application to the Law School. Enrollment is limited.

For More Information
Website: Securities Law Program
Contact: Mr. Jack W. Murphy, Director, Room 343A in the Academic Affairs suite, murphyjw@cua.edu

Curriculum Details