Certificate in Family Law

Program Overview

The Certificate in Family Law at Rutgers Law School offers JD students a structured pathway to specialize in family law while earning formal recognition for their focus. This program is designed to expose students to a broad range of issues in family law and procedure, provide supervised research experience, and offer practical training through clinics and externships.

To complete the certificate, students must earn a minimum of 15 credits in approved courses, including a foundational Family Law course. The curriculum includes upper-level electives in areas such as domestic violence, child welfare, elder law, and gender and sexuality law. Students must also complete a significant supervised research paper and gain hands-on experience through skills-based courses or externships.

Why Choose This Program?

• Specialized Curriculum: Tailored for students with a strong interest in family law.
• Experiential Learning: Includes clinics and externships with family court judges, public defenders, and other legal entities.
• Research Component: Requires a supervised paper for writing-intensive credit.
• Flexible Course Options: Allows students to pursue sub-specialties such as child advocacy, elder law, and gender law.

Career Opportunities

Graduates of the Family Law Certificate program are prepared for roles such as:

• Family Law Attorney
• Child Advocacy Lawyer
• Domestic Violence Legal Specialist
• Legal Counsel in Elder or Juvenile Law

Average Salary: Over $85,000 for Family Law Attorneys (Source: Indeed, 2025)