Certificate in Civil Litigation
To earn the Certificate in Civil Litigation, a student must earn 21 credits from the following courses designated as Required Courses, Electives and Skills Courses as well as fulfill the writing requirement and courtroom observations requirements. The course requirements are listed in the Civil Litigation Certificate Worksheet. Students must maintain an overall minimum GPA of 3.0 in courses in the certificate program to complete the certificate requirements. Additionally, students must earn at least a grade of C+ in any individual course that is counted toward the certificate.
WRITING REQUIREMENT (2-3 CREDITS):
In addition to the 21 credits required, students must also complete a substantial written work in the area of civil litigation. With topic approval from the certificate advisor (Dean Deborah Challener), this may be completed through the typical JD graduation writing requirement in connection with a seminar, independent writing requirement, or in satisfaction of the requirement for Law Review membership. The certificate writing requirement may also be completed through substantial participation in the brief writing associated with a national advocacy competition provided that (1) approval is obtained from the certificate advisor, and (2) such brief writing will not satisfy the JD graduation writing requirement.
COURTROOM OBSERVATION
A student must observe at least 10 hours of courtroom proceedings involving civil litigation.
Civil Litigation Certificate Learning Outcomes
1. Students will demonstrate an understanding of the substantive and procedural law related to litigation and dispute resolution, including the rules of evidence and civil procedure, as well as, oral and written advocacy;
2. Students will demonstrate the ability to properly apply the accepted standards of professional and ethical responsibility;
3. Students will demonstrate effective written communication by conducting comprehensive research on a litigation or alternative dispute resolution topic and producing a substantial written work based on that research on a topic approved by the certificate advisory; and
4. Students will demonstrate an ability to analyze and apply litigation law concepts and provide legal advice in an experiential setting including classroom simulations or a field placement (clinic/externships).
APPLICATION REQUIREMENT
Students must apply for admission to a Designated Faculty Advisor for the Civil Litigation Certificate Program (Dean Deborah Challener). A student may apply for admission beginning with the registration period for the third semester of law school. However, no application may be made after the drop/add period in the student's final semester.
