Social Justice 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, and we are enormously proud of the social justice work done by our students and alumni.

One of the programs offered by the Center for Social Justice is the Social Justice Certificate, awarded upon graduation. To earn the certificate, students must complete 15 hours of academic work in the social justice curriculum, complete 150 hours of practicum work in social justice, and provide 50 hours of pro bono service. Students may earn either a general certificate in Public Interest and Social Justice Law or one with a special emphasis in either criminal justice or immigration law. The special emphasis certificates require some additional academic work.

Specific requirements for the Social Justice Certificate

Public Interest & Social Justice Law Certificate Information. This document contains all information related to the general certificate, as well as the certificates with an emphasis in criminal justice).

Forms for the Social Justice Certificate

Access the Certificate Application. Form is on Emery; contact Michelle Waters at mmwaters@scu.edu if you have problems signing-in to Emery.

CSJ Practicum Certification Form. Use this form to document your work in satisfaction of the Certificate practicum requirement.

CSJ Pro Bono Hours Certification Form. Use this form to document your work in satisfaction of the Certificate pro bono hours requirement.

Application due dates – November 10 (Dec. Grads) and February 28 (May Grads).

For questions regarding the Public Interest and Social Justice Law certificate program, students should contact Professor Abriel at eabriel@scu.edu.