The
Law & Government Institute offers a Constitutional/Administrative Law Certificate that opens up governmental career opportunities while offering deeper understanding of fundamental legal topics. The program of study for certification includes two required courses, a writing requirement, and an externship.
Required Courses To fulfill the requirements for the Constitutional/Administrative Law Certificate, you must successfully complete the State Administrative Law course and one course from the following group:
- Legislation
- State Constitutional Law
- State and Local Government Law
- Other Constitutional Law Course
Elective Courses There are no elective course requirements for the Administrative Law and Government Certificate, but extended division students may substitute an elective for the required externship. Some examples of electives suitable for this purpose include:
- Appellate Advocacy
- Pennsylvania Appellate Advocacy and Procedure
- Banking Law
- Civil and Political Rights
- Any Constitutional Law course
- Education Law
- Any Environmental Law course
- Any Health Law course
- Any Labor Law course
- Any Anti Discrimination Law course
- Lobbying Law
- Legislative Drafting
- Public Utility Law
- State and Local Taxation
- Worker’s Compensation Law
Externship Requirement Regular Division Students: In addition to the two required courses, you must complete a Law and Government externship. Numerous and diverse placements are available, and interested students should speak to Karen Durkin (
kdurkin@gmail.com). For students with an interest in a particular area or agency, we will make every effort to accommodate you. The Institute will also consider student proposals to establish new externships in areas of special interest or in a different geographic location under the terms and conditions established by the American Bar Association.
Extended Division Students: In addition to the two required courses, you have the option to complete an externship or substitute an additional Law and Government elective course in place of the externship. Law and Government elective courses are generally ones that involve constitutional law, any type of government regulation, or any course involving litigation in which the government is a party.
Writing Requirement The Administrative/Constitutional Law Certificate program also requires you to complete a Law and Government writing requirement. Papers written in connection with a law and government required or elective course that also satisfy the senior writing requirement will fulfill this writing requirement. Many students satisfy this requirement by writing an elective paper as part of their state administrative law course. Any student having difficulty meeting this requirement should speak to
Professor John Gedid, the Law and Government Institute director, about arranging for a one credit directed research and writing project. Professor Gedid will grant any reasonable request for a directed research and writing project to fulfill the writing requirement.
Contact InformationDirector: John Gedid
Phone: (717)-541-3902
Email:
jlgedid@mail.widener.edu