Public Interest Certificate

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The Public Interest Certificate is intended for JD 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.

Certificate Requirements

To earn the certificate, JD students must take at least 20 units of mandatory, foundational, elective skills and clinical or practicum courses, selected in consultation with an adviser, and as outlined on the Gould School of Law website. In addition, JD students must complete an upper-division writing requirement and 50 hours of pro bono work.

No more than 4 units counted toward the certificate may be taken CR/D/F. Foundational courses may not be taken CR/D/F.

Please refer to the Gould School of Law website for detailed certificate requirements.