Mar 28, 2024  
USC Catalogue 2019-2020 
    
USC Catalogue 2019-2020 [ARCHIVED CATALOGUE]

Public Interest Certificate


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The Public Interest Certificate is intended for students who plan to spend a significant part of their careers in the nonprofit or government (including criminal) sectors. It serves at least three functions. First, it signals to future employers that the student has made a significant commitment to acquiring the substantive knowledge, practical skills and familiarity with the landscape of nonprofit and government law, which will prepare him or her for a successful career in these sectors. Second, the certificate assists students in discerning and following a law school path that will provide the fundamentals they need for a career in nonprofit or government law, and exposes them to a range of substantive law areas, practitioners and experiences in the public interest sector.  Third, the certificate allows the Law School to affirm and showcase its support for public interest law and its offerings for students and potential students interested in this career path.  

Clinical and Practicum Units


Students must complete at least one semester of work in one of the following Gould clinics or practicums. In the event a student is unable to gain entry into one of the listed clinics or practicums, an externship for at least 3 units with a qualifying organization shall fulfill this requirement. 

Required Courses


A student must complete both of the following courses:

Core Courses


A student must complete at least one of the following courses for a numerical grade:

Substantive Courses


A student must complete at least 6 units from the following list of courses.

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