To earn a Certificate in Family Law, a student must complete the 86 semester hours required for the Juris Doctor degree and satisfy all JD requirements. Within the elective course work required for the JD degree, a student must complete 15 credit hours from the courses listed below, including two required courses and at least three elective courses.
An applicant must achieve a minimum 3.0 GPA in certificate courses. If a student takes more than 15 hours of courses from the approved list, all grades earned in those courses will be factored into the minimum 3.0 GPA requirement for the Certificate.
Previously taught courses, courses offered in other DePaul Colleges, and new courses and seminars that may be added to the curriculum may qualify for the Certificate with approval.
Students may apply for only one Certificate.
For more information, contact Faculty Certificate Director for Family Law, Katie Liss.
Required Courses
| Course | Title | Semester Hours |
|---|---|---|
| LAW 509 | FAMILY LAW | 3 |
| Select one advanced writing requirement course from the following: | 3 | |
| SENIOR RESEARCH SEMINAR (approved topic) | ||
| INDEPENDENT STUDY (approved topic) | ||
| LEGAL DRAFTING (Child Advocacy; Family Law; Matrimonial Law) | ||
Elective Courses
| Course | Title | Semester Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Select at least one course from the following practice-based courses: | 2-3 | |
| DOMESTIC VIOLENCE PRACTICUM | ||
| RESTORATIVE JUSTICE | ||
| MEDIATION (Family Law) | ||
| EXTERNSHIP PROGRAM (approved placement) | ||
| FIELD CLINIC SEMINAR (Family Law) | ||
| FIELD CLINIC PRACTICE (Family Law) | ||
| Additional Elective Courses: | ||
| CHILDREN'S HUMAN RIGHTS UNDER INTERNATIONAL LAW | ||
| BUSINESS FUNDAMENTALS FOR LAWYERS | ||
| WILLS AND TRUSTS | ||
| JUVENILE JUSTICE | ||
| ADOPTION LAW | ||
| FINANCIAL ASPECTS OF DIVORCE | ||
| ESTATE PLANNING | ||
| EDUCATION LAW & POLICY | ||
| CHILDREN & THE LAW | ||
| EXTERNSHIP SEMINAR (Taken in conjunction with approved LAW 524 placement) | ||
| ELDER LAW | ||
| DISABILITY LAW | ||
| HEALTH CARE DELIVERY SYSTEMS | ||