Widener’s new [2008] specialization in criminal law provides students the opportunity to concentrate on, and graduate with a certificate proving excellence in criminal law. Coupled with Widener’s Taishoff Advocacy, Technology and Public Service Institute
, the certificate in criminal law reflects the culmination of studies in criminal law, criminal procedure, and trial and/or appellate advocacy. Opportunities in this program include:
- Study with nationally-recognized full-time and adjunct faculty on topics such as the death penalty; electronic surveillance and privacy issues; forensic science; and criminal law advocacy.
- Participation in Widener’s Criminal Defense Clinic, or in externships with area prosecutor and public defender offices and judges.
- A wide selection of elective courses in areas as diverse as white collar crime, cyber-crime, sentencing, and advanced criminal problems.
- Exceptional placement opportunities in the region’s prosecutor and public defender offices.
Criminal Law Certificate Program
- GPA Eligibility (at end of program): 2.8
- Certificate Required Courses:
- Criminal Procedure I and II;
- Evidence;
- Advanced Trial Methods (Criminal) or ITAP;
- Criminal Defense Clinic or criminal law externship approved by faculty responsible for certificate program. [A student who cannot be accommodated in the clinic or in an externship may substitute another course with the consent of the faculty responsible for the certificate program.]
- Certificate Elective Course Requirement: 6 credits from list of approved courses (or courses approved by faculty responsible for certificate program):
- List of Approved Courses:
- LAW 843: CAPITAL PUNISHMENT (2 credits)
- LAW 672X: CYBERCRIME (2 credits)
- LAW 991: ORGANIZED CRIME (2 credits)
- LAW 675X: PA CIVIL/CRIMINAL PROCEDURE (2 credits)
- LAW 771: PA PRACTICE (CRIMINAL) (3 credits)
- LAW 998X: SCIENTIFIC EVIDENCE & EXPERT TESTIMONY (2 credits)
- LAW 829: SEMINAR: LAW AND PSYCHOLOGY (2 credits)
- LAW 897: SEMINAR: POST CONVICTION REMEDIES (2 credits)
- LAW 852: SENTENCING (2 credits)
- LAW 892: WHITE COLLAR CRIME (2 credits)
- LAW 776: DOMESTIC VIOLENCE (2 credits)
- FORENSIC SCIENCE (offered in the past and likely to be offered again)
- LAW 696X: PUBLIC CORRUPTION (2 credits)
- LAW 6004X: ADVANCED PROBLEMS IN CRIMINAL LAW (2 credits)
- ïnternational Criminal Law (or similar summer institute courses
- Research Paper: Scholarly research paper approved by the program faculty supervisor on a subject related to criminal law and policy
- Certificate grade point requirement: 2.8 or greater in certificate courses
- Certificate with honors: A student earning a certificate course cumulative grade point average of 3.15 or more will receive a certificate with honors.
For more information, contact Professor John F. Nivala at 302-477-2489 or via e-mail at jfnivala@widener.edu.