Certificate in Disability Legal Studies: FAQ
Questions about the Certificate in Disability Legal Studies Program? Look below for our most frequently asked questions.
Are Certificate in Disability Legal Studies Program courses regular law school courses?
With one exception, all of the course in the Disability Certificate Program are the same courses you would take if you were studying to become a lawyer in the JD program. The exception is Introduction to Law and Legal Reasoning.
Who will benefit from the Certificate in Disability Legal Studies Program?
This certificate program is geared toward those working in the administration and provision of disabilities programs. Administrators, educators, health practitioners, advocates, social workers, architects, city planners, attorneys and business leaders, among others, could potentially benefit from this program's instructional content.
Are there required courses in the Certificate in Disability Legal Studies Program?
Yes. Students enrolled in the certificate program are required to take four core courses.
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Introduction to Law and Legal Reasoning (3 credits)
Students will gain experience in reading and analyzing cases and statutes in order to begin to understand how to use the law to predict answers to legal questions. The course will also include a sampling of legal readings and guest lectures in the various areas of substantive law. Grading will be based on short papers and presentations and on one longer paper and a corresponding class presentation.
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Health Law and Policy (3 credits)
This is a survey course of fundamental issues in health law and policy, covering a large range of topics but not in great depth. This course provides a foundation for students who wish to concentrate in health law to take more in-depth courses such as Health Care Business Transactions, Health Care Fraud and Abuse, Health Care Antitrust, and Financing in the Healthcare Industry. For students no concentrating in health law, it provides an introduction to the multitude of issues with which lawyers working with clients in the health care industry need to be familiar.
The underlying theme of the course is the conflict among three societal goals: increasing access to health care, controlling health care costs, and assuring quality of health care. The course examines the role that law plays in achieving these goals. In order to understand these and other aspects of health law, students need also to understand the past and present organization of the health care system - a difficult task both because of its complexity and its seemingly ever-changing nature - and to understand important issues of health policy because there frequently is no clear line between health law and health policy. -
The Law of Disability Discrimination (2 credits)
This course will provide in-depth analysis and discussion of the major federal disability discrimination statutes, including the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. Readings and class discussions will focus on the application of these laws to issues such as employment, public accommodations, education, architectural barriers, transportation and insurance. The course will explore how disability discrimination statues interact with other statutes, such as the Social Security Act and the Family and Medical Leave Act.
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Torts* (4 credits)
Investigates the legal principles and process by which the law allocates losses in actions brought by litigants who seek relief for injury. The primary emphasis is on cases involving harms to tangible personal and property interests. The course analyzes the three main theories of tort liability - intent, negligence, and strict liability - and introduces students to a variety of critiques of the current system.
(*Or another first-semester required course if the Certificate Director deems it preferable for a particular student's interest).
These four courses total 12 of the 15 credits needed for the certificate.
How many other courses do I need to take?
The remaining 3 credits (minimum) may be satisfied by any of the following (or similar) courses which are offered as instructor availability permits:
- Bioethics and Law
- Elderly and the Law
- Education Law
- Employment Discrimination
- Employment Law
- Healthcare & Civil Rights Seminar
- Mental Health Law
- Nonprofit Tax Exemption Organizations
- Worker's Compensation
In addition, students may select any other School of Law course with the permission of the instructor and the Certificate Director.
Will I get any advice and guidance in the courses I should take?
Yes. The Director of the certificate program, Professor Alan Meisel, will serve as your faculty advisor and will work with you on your course selections.
Do I have to go to school full time, or may I obtain the certificate on a part-time basis?
Students in the certificate program can complete the certificate requirements in one year or students electing to complete the certificate on a part-time basis will have up to 3 years to complete the requirements.
When are courses offered?
All courses are offered during the day and not in the evening or on weekends.
How much work will there be for students in this certificate program?
All courses in the certificate program require students to engage in rigorous class preparation and study. Classes meet for 50 minutes per credit each week, so that a 3-credit course usually meets for three 50-minute periods (although a course might meet for a single three-hour period). The rule of thumb is that students are expected to spend about three hours of preparation for each hour of class. Professors expect that all students will present themselves and their work in a professional manner. Certificate students will reap the rewards of their efforts through their mastery of complex legal materials and in their new-found ability to comfortably discuss the law with their professors, JD students, and other colleagues. Attendance is required at a minimum of 80% of class meetings.
What is the grading system for students in the certificate program?
An Honors/Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory grading system is used. Students must attain a grade of Satisfactory or better in all of their coursework.
What is the tuition for the certificate program?
Tuition and Fees for |
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|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full Time | Part Time* | |||
| In-state | Out-of-state | In-state | Out-of-state | |
| U of Pittsburgh Tuition & Fees | ||||
| Tuition | $23,432 | $31,576 | $887/cr | $1388/cr |
| Activity Fee | $40 | $40 | $20 | $20 |
| Health Fee | $170 | $170 | $0 | $0 |
| Security / Transportation Fee | $180 | $180 | $180 | $180 |
| Computer Fee | $300 | $300 | $150 | $150 |
| Other Expenses (estimate) | ||||
| Books / Supplies | $1,500 | $1,500 | $100/course | $100/course |
| Nine Month Living Expense | $13,210 | $13,210 | ||
| Total Estimated Cost | $38,832 | $46,976 | ||
* Part-time rates are charged for 1 to 8 credits. Students taking 9 or more credits per semester are charged at the full-time rate.
Is there financial aid for the Certificate in Disability Law program?
Yes. There are loans available for those who qualify. View the financial aid page for additional information.
What are the requirements for admission to the certificate program?
Applicants must submit:
- Complete application form
- Official transcript of all college, graduate, and professional studies whether a degree was obtained or not
- At least two letters of recommendation
- An essay on how you expect to use the knowledge acquired in the certificate program
Decisions about admission will be made on the basis of the above information and the applicant's entire academic and employment record. A personal interview may also be required.
How do I apply for the certificate program?
To apply for the Certificate in Disability Legal Studies Program, download the PDF forms necessary to apply. Please note, you will need the Adobe Acrobat Reader to load these materials.
What is the application deadline?
Completed applications are first considered on December 1, and thereafter on a rolling basis until June 30, or until the class is full.