Law and Advocacy
Law and Advocacy Graduate Certificate
Offered in collaboration with the USC Gould School of Law, the residential Law and Advocacy graduate certificate is designed for those who seek to learn more about the intersection of law and advocacy.
The coursework will show you ways to think about advocacy, how to approach leading efforts for change, and how to communicate with others both professionally and personally about the impacts you want to see.
Quote
Understanding how advocacy exists, how it comes to be, how existing systems can be made more fair and accessible, is absolutely needed.
- Sam Mistrano, JD, Certificate Lead
Maximize Your MSW
Through the core curriculum of the MSW program, you may have already completed 6 of the units you need for a certificate. Adding on a graduate certificate — designed to enhance your skills and knowledge base for specific expertise — will allow you to stand out in the social work specialization that interests you.
Current students in the Master in Social Work degree program are eligible for any graduate certificate of their choosing.
What You'll Learn
The certificate explores the legal framework and regulations around social work and advocacy in the United States. Through this coursework, students will:
- learn the fundamental concepts of advocacy
- explore the history and development of common law in the U.S.
- acquire fluency in legal terminology to read and analyze legal provisions, statutes, and case law effectively
- gain an understanding of where legal issues may arise
- learn how to assess issues using a legal framework and how to respond in real-world social work settings
Coursework
The certificate team will help you determine which courses you need to take to complete your certificate. Please note, not all classes are offered every semester.
Strengthen your skills with cutting-edge, flexible learning opportunities that allow you to hone in on the knowledge and skills that will most benefit you in your career.