Prepare to defend those least able to defend themselves

If justice for children and their families is driving your passion for the law, the Certificate in Child and Family Law can help focus your studies and your career.

Loyola offers an extensive array of courses in child and family law, including child welfare, domestic violence, juvenile justice and education law. And your participation in the community through legal clinics will provide the “hands-on” experience to help you advocate for those most in need.

Curriculum

There are three requirements for the Child and Family Law Certificate: coursework; practical experience; and extracurricular activities.

You must complete at least 12 credit hours, including two required courses and two electives, in the child and family law curriculum and must receive a grade of B or better in each course.

Courses

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
Required Courses
LAW 601	Child, Family, and the State
Select One
Domestic Violence
Education Law and Policy
Juvenile Justice
Electives
LAW 166	Education Law Practicum
LAW 198	The Fundamentals of School Law
LAW 204	Adoption Law Seminar
LAW 249	Human Trafficking: Advancing Protections for Children Practicum
LAW 426	Special Education Law and Advocacy
LAW 602	ChildLaw Trial Practice (Intensive)
LAW 606	Legislation and Policy Clinic
LAW 608	Juvenile Justice
LAW 615	Child and Family Law Mediation
LAW 620	Childlaw Clinic
LAW 663	Children's Summer Institute
LAW 664	Special Education Law
LAW 678	International Children's Rights
LAW 679	Children's Health Law and Policy
LAW 689	Family Law
LAW 717	Mental Health Law
LAW 760	Disability Law

Practical Experience

To earn the certificate, you must complete at least one experiential learning requirement. This experience may be satisfied through participation in the ChildLaw Clinic,¹ ChildLaw Policy and Legislation Clinic,¹ or other “hands-on” experience in the field of child and family law. Volunteer/internship/employment experiences must be approved in advance.

¹

One semester of Clinic experience cannot be used to satisfy both the coursework and practical experience requirements. Students, however, may meet both requirements by taking two semesters of either of the two Clinics, or alternatively, by successfully completing one semester each of the Civitas Child Law Clinic and the ChildLaw Policy and Legislation Clinic.

Extracurricular Activities

Additionally, you must participate in six or more activities sponsored by the Civitas ChildLaw Center, including attendance at conferences, symposia, the weekly Coffee Talk Series, etc. Participation as a member of the Children’s Legal Rights Journal counts as one extracurricular activity. Students should keep a record of their fulfillment of this requirement, which will be verified by the Program Coordinator. Students should meet with the Coordinator over the course of law school to confirm that their activities meet this requirement.

Applying for your Certificate

After completion of all requirements, you must complete an application for the Certificate in Child and Family Law.

Graduate & Professional Standards and Regulations

Students in graduate and professional programs can find their Academic Policies in Graduate and Professional Academic Standards and Regulations under their school. Any additional University Policies supercede school policies.