NIU College of Law Expands Certificate Programs to Include Business and International Law

Building on the strengths of its practical, skills-based curriculum, Northern Illinois University College of Law announces two new certificate programs in Business and International Law – in addition to its current certificate programs in Criminal Practice and Civil Advocacy.

“Our new Business and International Law certificate programs were developed in response to increasing demand from both students and employers for a more focused program in these specialized areas of the law,” said Jennifer Rosato, Dean of NIU Law. “NIU law students will benefit from these new certificates in that they will have the opportunity to focus their legal education in specialized areas of the law, without losing the advantages of the excellent, holistic legal training we provide.”

Each of the new certificate programs requires completion of 18 credit hours from the combination of basic, capstone, and elective track courses. The courses are selected from a mix of seminars, directed research programs, and externships devoted primarily to the study of business law or international law. The business law certificate has three separate paths available, in general business, commercial/bankruptcy, or intellectual property.

As with all of the NIU Law certificate programs, students qualifying for a business law or international law certificate must satisfy minimum grade requirements, including a required cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher in the courses required for the respective certificates.

NIU Law's new Business and International Law certificate programs will go into effect for students in the graduating class of 2015, who are now in their first year of law school. Law students who successfully complete the requirements of a certificate program will receive the certificate notation on their law school transcripts.

As the only public law school in Northern Illinois, NIU College of Law has been named a top law school nationally for diversity, value, and careers in public interest/government service. NIU Law provides unique opportunities for its students, beginning with its highly accomplished faculty who are personally invested in the success of every student throughout their professional lives. Although many alumni serve as public interest attorneys, prosecutors, defenders, elected officials, and judges, they are equally prepared for careers as solo practitioners or lawyers in multinational firms.

For more information on the new J.D. Certificates in Business and International Law, go online at www.niu.edu/law.