Over 100 non-law graduate students are currently enrolled in Law School classes, but none of that work will show up on their diplomas. Next year, they will finally be able to get credit.
Last week, the Law School announced that it will award certificates to doctoral and medical students to give them recognition for law work completed outside of the school's degree programs.
Beginning in the fall of 2006, students from the Graduate School of Education, the School of Arts and Sciences and the School of Medicine who take at least three law classes can earn certificates.
According to Jo-Ann Verrier, the Law School's vice dean for administrative services, students will take an "open-ended" series of four courses chosen under the guidance of an adviser from the Law School, assigned to help students select classes.
Students will choose from classes in fields such as the history of law, health law, legal research and other topics that supplement students' primary graduate studies.
This will allow students to "see legal issues in their own fields," said Joan Rose, a spokeswoman for the Law School. A medical student interested in health-care policy, for example, could take courses in health law.
No classes will be closed to certificate students, although Law students will get registration preference.
To earn the certificate, students must take a minimum of three courses at Penn Law, but the fourth may be counted from any of the University's other schools. The coursework must be completed by the end of the candidate's primary studies.
Most non-law students who currently take Law School courses may also enter the new program with permission from the associate dean. Enrollment will be based on the established admissions standards for non-law students, which include a brief application process.
"Based on our experience with students outside the Law School taking courses here, we expect to see more bright, educated, highly motivated students with substantial backgrounds and experiences that differ from our own students,"Associate Dean of Penn Law Michael Knoll wrote in an e-mail interview.
"Those different experiences [bring a] highly valuable perspective to courses," he added.
The certificate will require no additional tuition, but fees will be transferred between the University's schools.
