A graduate certificate or diploma (the terms are used interchangeably in North America) in law denotes specialization in a sub-field or discipline of law gained through intensive graduate-level study. As such, it supplements an already established area of expertise (in law or not related to the field) and adds value to a previously earned Bachelor's or graduate degree. Delivered in various formats from residential to online, graduate certificates in law comprise 4 - 6 courses (typically 12 - 18 credit hours) taken in a prescribed sequence at the graduate level.
The concurrent graduate certificate or diploma in law allows students currently enrolled in a Master's or Doctoral degree program in the field to pursue an in-depth exploration of one aspect of their field. For example, a student working towards a Master's in Law with a specialization in Criminal Law may take the Graduate Certificate in Human Rights to augment their expertise.
The stand-alone, direct-entry graduate certificate/diploma program in law provides an opportunity for graduate-level study of theory and research to students who are not interested in pursuing a full graduate degree. This could include professionals with a Bachelor's degree working in the field or anyone who does not have the time or interest in a traditional graduate program in law. Then too, some students who take the stand-alone certificate already have a graduate degree and use their certificate to augment a particular area of interest.
A selection, but not inclusive list, of graduate certificates/diplomas in law includes
Graduate Certificate in Air and Space Law
Graduate Certificate in Constitutional and Administrative Law
Graduate Certificate in Criminal Litigation
Graduate Certificate in Environment Law and Policy
Graduate Certificate in Homeland Security
Graduate Certificate in Human Rights
Graduate Certificate in Intellectual Property Law
Graduate Certificate in Labor and Employment Law
Graduate Certificate in International and Comparative Law
Graduate Certificate in Public Interest Law
Graduate Certificate in US Law and Methodologies
