Legislation & Public Policy Certificate Program

The Law and Government Institute offers a certificate in legislation and public policy for law students that focuses on the legislative process, including the drafting of statutes and ordinances, as well as the intersection of law and public policy. Through completing the certificate requirements, students are exposed to government in action while gaining a deeper understanding of government law.

This certificate program is for enrolled Widener Law Commonwealth students only and are awarded upon graduation from the law school. 

Foundation

• Government Law Colloquium

Core

• Legislation
• Legislative Drafting (Legal Methods III)

Elective/Seminar

(at least one)

• Asylum Law
• Capital Punishment
• Charitable/Non-Profit Organizations
• Election Law
• Immigration & Naturalization Law
• Military Law
• Negotiations
• Separation of Powers
• Tax Policy
• Voting Rights & Election Law
• Other courses at the discretion of the director

Widener Law Commonwealth reserves the right to modify curriculum requirements and course offerings.

Writing Requirement

Students seeking the Legislation Certificate must satisfy the law school’s writing requirement on a government law topic. The Law and Government director must approve all topics in advance.

Work Requirement

Students seeking the Legislation Certificate must complete an externship in legislation approved by the Law and Government director. The Law and Government director will meet with all students interested in pursuing the certificate to discuss and approve externship placement.

Graduating GPA Requirement

A student must earn a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.6 in the required certificate courses to earn a Law and Government Certificate at graduation.

Certificate with Honors GPA Requirement

A student earning a cumulative grade point average of 3.25 or more in certificate courses will receive a certificate with honors.

Students interested in completing the requirements for a Law and Government Certificate should fill out an Expression of Interest form.

Graduating students who wish to certify meeting the requirements for a Law and Government Certificate should fill out the Application for a Law and Government Certificate.

Certificate Learning Outcomes