Privacy Law Certificate
Privacy law is at the forefront of protecting personal information across a range of industries, including social media, healthcare, finance, and AI. Earning a Privacy Law Certificate provides you with the foundational knowledge and skills to work with businesses, individuals, and governments to balance innovation with security.
To earn a Privacy Law Certificate, a student must:
- Complete at least nine units of approved coursework in the subject area.
- Complete a practicum requirement related to Privacy Law.
- Complete an upper-level writing requirement analyzing an issue relating to Privacy Law.
Required Courses
Students must complete 5 units from the list below:
- Information Privacy (3 units)
- Privacy Practice Skills (2 units)
Elective Courses
The following law school electives can be applied to the certificate. Not all law school electives are offered every year.
Students must complete 3 units from the list below:
- Torts II (3 units)
- Antitrust Law (3 units)
- Artificial Intelligence & Law (3 units)
- Corporate Governance (3 units)
- Internet Law (3 units)
- Employment Law (3 units)
- Health Law & Policy (3 units)
- Intellectual Property Seminar (3 units)
- Legal Issues in Sports (3 units)
Practicum Requirement
To earn the certificate, a student must participate in an externship focused on Privacy Law for at least 3 units, participate in the Internet and IP Justice Clinic with a focus on Privacy Law, complete an approved skills class or acquire the International Association of Privacy Professionals Certification. Students can choose from any of the opportunities listed below:
- Externship / In-house Counsel Externship: Participate in an externship or paid legal work focused on Privacy Law for the equivalent of three units.
- Specific Skills Classes: Role of General Counsel.
- Internet and IP Justice Clinic: Participate in the Internet and IP Justice Clinic, with permission of the Director to assure assignment to Privacy cases.
Writing Requirement
Students must complete a substantial research paper or memorandum analyzing an issue related to Privacy Law. The paper must:
- Identify and explain the legal issue.
- Analyze controversies and challenges.
- Propose and assess potential solutions.
The paper must meet the standards for an upper-level research and writing requirement. It can be completed in a seminar, through directed research with a professor, or as part of a practicum project.
Application
Students may apply during their second-to-last semester of law school. The Privacy Law Certificate will become available beginning fall 2025.