Taught by experienced full-time and adjunct faculty who are experts in their fields, DePaul Law's comprehensive family law curriculum offers you access to theoretical as well as practical courses in areas such as divorce, mediation, child advocacy, child abuse and neglect, juvenile justice, domestic violence, elder law and disability law. Paired with hands-on learning experiences, these offerings contribute to an outstanding, well-rounded family law education.
JD Certificate in Family Law
In today’s legal market, there is a growing demand for family law attorneys with specialized credentials. To gain an advantage in the workforce, you can complete a
JD Certificate in Family Law, and within the certificate, you can select courses in one of three practice tracks—divorce/marital dissolution, child advocacy or elder law—each designed to support distinct career goals. (Please note that transcripts only designate completion of the family law certificate.)
Advanced Writing Required Course:
- Law 455 Legal Drafting: Child Advocacy
- Law 250 Senior Research Seminar or Law 428 Independent Study: Exploring the Relationship Between the Child, Parent, and the State
Practice-Based Required Course:
- Law 213 Domestic Violence Practicum
- Law 524 Field Placement with Child Advocacy Focus
- Law 363 Restorative Justice
Elective Courses:
- Law 227 Children't Human Rights Under Int'l Law
- Law 313 Juvenile Justice
- Law 321 Adoption Law
- Law 323 Child Protection: Abuse & Neglect
- Law 498 Education Law & Policy
Advanced Writing Required Course:
- Law 455 Legal Drafting: Matrimonial Law or Family Law
- Law 250 Senior Research Seminar
- Law 428 Independent Study: Topic Exploring Divorce and the Family Unit
Practice-Based Required Course:
- Law 429 Legal Clinic: Family Law
- Law 429 Legal Clinic: Mediation as Advocate
- Law 438 Mediation: Family Law
- Law 213 Domestic Violence Practicum
- Law 524 Field Placement with Divorce or Divorce/Parentage Practice
Elective Courses:
- Law 381 Financial Aspects of Divorce (highly recommended)
- Law 544 Family Law & The Jewish Tradition
- Law 321 Adoption Law
- Law 702 Elder Law
Advanced Writing Required Course:
- Law 455 Legal Drafting: (family law topic recommended)
- Law 250 Senior Research Seminar or LAW 428 Independent Study: Elder or Disability Law or Estate/Probate Administration Topic
Practice-Based Required Course:
- Law 524 Field Placement with Elder or Disability Law or Estate/Probate Administration Focus
Elective Courses:
- Law 243 Business Fundamentals for Lawyers
- Law 308 Wills & Trusts
- Law 409 Estate Planning
- Law 716 Disability Law
- Law 718 Health Care Delivery Systems
For full course descriptions, please visit the
University catalog page.
Experiential Learning
You also will benefit from real-life experiential learning opportunities that complement and round out your family law studies:
- The Family Law Field Clinic with Chicago Volunteer Legal Services allows students to work on real family law cases under attorney supervision.
- The Domestic Violence Practicum enables you to volunteer with Ascend Justice, assisting self-represented individuals seeking Emergency Orders of Protection in Cook County's Domestic Violence Court.