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Pepperdine | Caruso School of Law

Certificate in Criminal Law Practice

Recognizing that ethical and effective criminal legal prosecution and defense are essential to the maintenance of a just society and thus fulfill Pepperdine University Caruso School of Law's ultimate goal of equipping law students for lives of purpose, service, and leadership, Pepperdine offers a certificate program designed to equip students with the educational and experiential tools necessary to effectively engage in criminal legal practice.


To obtain a Certificate in Criminal Legal Practice, a student must complete the course of study outlined below:


Required Courses 

  • Clinical Law - Criminal Externship (with a government agency within the criminal justice field) (2-3 units)
  • Criminal Law
  • Criminal Procedure
  • Evidence
  • Trial Practice
  • Trial Preparation and Settlement (Criminal)

Elective Courses (8 additional units)

  • Advanced Trial Practice
  • Clinical Law-Criminal Externship (with a government agency within the criminal justice field) (second course 3 units maximum)
  • Domestic Violence Law Seminar 
  • International Criminal Law 
  • Juvenile Rights: Substance and Procedure 
  • Interviewing, Counseling and Planning 
  • Negotiation Theory and Practice 
  • Police Practices 
  • Sentencing and Corrections 
  • Interschool Trial Competition (2 units maximum)
  • Interschool Appellate Advocacy Competition (2 units maximum)
  • Other relevant courses with the permission of the academic dean and director such as the following:
    • Investigation Law
    • Trial Preparation and Settlement-Civil

Students wishing to participate in the program should send an email to Professor Harry Caldwell .