Public Interest and Social Justice Law Certificate and Curriculum

Social justice is the province of all lawyers, not just those who choose to specialize in this field. Public interest and social justice lawyers give voice in the legal system to marginalized, subordinated, and underrepresented clients and causes. Santa Clara University School of Law has chosen Public Interest and Social Justice Law as an area of excellence and specialization.

Santa Clara University School of Law students may earn a certificate in Public Interest and Social Justice Law upon graduation, allowing them to serve community needs for social justice while studying law. Students particularly interested in consumer law, criminal justice, or critical race jurisprudence may elect to earn their certificate with a special emphasis in one of those areas. However, students need not elect a special emphasis in order to earn a Public Interest and Social Justice Law Certificate.  

Students need not earn a certificate in order to take advantage of the rich curriculum of public interest and social justice law courses where students gain the theoretical insight, practical knowledge, and skills training necessary to serve marginalized, subordinated, or underrepresented clients and causes. Some of the public interest and social justice law courses develop skills from other disciplines such as the social sciences.  For example, students in the Law and Social Justice Seminar investigate social justice issues. For an introduction to approaching original research, please see Professor Jane Curry’s slide show presentation "Doing a Research Project" (PDF).

Forms for the Public Interest and Social Justice Law Certificate

• Public Interest & Social Justice Law Certificate (this document contains all information related to the general certificate, as well as the certificates with emphasis, and the forms listed below).

   

  • Public Interest & Social Justice Law Certificate with Emphasis in Consumer Law

     

  • Public Interest & Social Justice Law Certificate with Emphasis in Criminal Justice

     

  • Public Interest & Social Justice Law Certificate with Emphasis in Critical Race Jurisprudence

     

  • Public Interest & Social Justice Law Certificate with Emphasis in Health Law

     

  • Public Interest & Social Justice Law Certificate with Emphasis in Immigration and Refugee Law

     

  • Notice of Intent and Request for Advising  Note: Filing the notice is not a prerequisite for obtaining the certificate.

     

  • Certificate Application

     

  • Library Release Form

     

For questions regarding the Public Interest and Social Justice Law certificate program, students should contact the Center for Social Justice and Public Service, Loyola Hall, 425 El Camino Real.

For information on volunteer placement opportunities, students should contact the student coordinators at the Public Interest Law Career Services (PILCS) office (408/554-6930) located in Law Career Services in 151 Loyola Hall, 425 El Camino Real.