J.D. Certificate in Intellectual Property: Curriculum and Requirements

  1. Academics
  2. J.D. Program
  3. Areas of Study
  4. Intellectual Property Law
  5. J.D. Certificate in Intellectual Property: Curriculum and Requirements

Overview and Requirements

The Chicago-Kent IP program offers more than 20 courses related to intellectual property each year, taught by six full-time professors and numerous adjunct professors and lecturers who are among the leading practitioners in the IP field.

The Intellectual Property Law Certificate program consists of 20 credit hours of coursework, which includes three mandatory core courses (in copyright, patents, and trademarks) for a total of nine credit hours plus a capstone or practice experience, and optional courses (either full or partial IP credit).

In their final two years, IP certificate candidates participate in the Practice Experience, which involves skills training in the IP field with actual or simulated cases and problems, applying what they learned in previous coursework. The Practice Experience can be fulfilled by taking at least five credit hours from the following courses:

  • At least one of the following courses: Intellectual Property Clinic (3), Intellectual Property Externship (3), or Strategies in Intellectual Property Law (3).
  • At least 2 credits of any course listed in Section D below. 

How to Enroll in IP Certificate

1. To enter the program, students must submit a letter of intent to the director in their first or second year. Once registered as members of the program, IP students are given priority during registration for all IP courses and receive email notification of upcoming IP-related events.

2. During the final semester before graduation, students who will graduate must submit an application for the certificate, verifying the IP coursework has been completed.

Courses

A. Mandatory Courses
1. Copyright Law 3 credit hrs
2. Patent Law 3 credit hrs
3. Trademarks and Unfair Competition 3 credit hrs
   
B. Optional Courses for Full IP Credit
(Some courses are not offered every year)  
1. Acquiring IP 3 credit hrs
2. Advertising & Marketing Law 2 credit hrs
3. Biotechnology Patent Law 3 credit hrs
4. Intellectual Property and Technology Licensing 2 credit hrs
5. Intellectual Property Independent Research 1 credit hr
6. Intellectual Property Moot Court 1 credit hr
7. Intellectual Property Seminar 2 credit hrs
8. Intellectual Property Trial Advocacy 3 credit hrs
9. International Intellectual Property 3 credit hrs
10. International Trademarks 2 credit hrs
11. Legal Writing IV--Intellectual Property 3 credit hrs
12. Patent Analytics and Landscape Reports** 3 credit hrs
13. Patent Office Practice 3 credit hrs
14. Trade Secrets 3 credit hrs
15. Video Game Law 2 credit hrs
16. Design Law 2 credit hrs
17. Software Patents 2 credit hrs
18. Chicago IP Colloquium 1 credit hr
   
C. Optional Courses for Partial IP Credit
1. Administrative Law 1 credit hr
2. Agency 1 credit hr
3. Antitrust 1 credit hr
4. Blockchain and Law 1 credit hr
5. Conflicts 1 credit hr
6. E-Commerce 1 credit hr
7. Emerging Technologies 1 credit hr
8. Entertainment Law 1 credit hr
9. Evidence 1 credit hr
10. Federal Courts 1 credit hr
11. Food and Drug Law 1 credit hr
12. Genetic Issues 1 credit hr
13. International Business Transactions 1 credit hr
14. International Trade 1 credit hr
15. Internet Law 1 credit hr
16. Privacy 1 credit hr
17. Remedies 1 credit hr
18. Sports Law 1 credit hr
19. Start-Up Lawyering 1 credit hr
20. Telecommunications 1 credit hr
   
D. Practice Experience
(May be satisfied by participating in 5 credit hours of the following courses, one of which must be Intellectual Property Clinic, Intellectual Property Externship, or Strategies in Intellectual Property Law)
1. Intellectual Property Clinic 3 credit hrs
2. Intellectual Property Externship 3 credit hrs
3. Strategies in Intellectual Property Law 3 credit hrs
4. Patent Litigation** 2 credit hrs
5. IP Moot Court 2 credit hrs
6. IP Trial Ad 2 credit hrs
7. Oral Advocacy for the IP Lawyer 2 credit hrs
8. IPMM Patent Analytics and Landscape Reports** 3 credit hrs
9. Legal Writing 4 3 credit hrs
10. Patent Office Practice 3 credit hrs
11. IP and Technology Licensing 2 credit hrs
12. Patent Practicum 2 credit hrs
13. Any other course designated by the program director  

**Although this course is listed on more than one group list, it can only be used to fulfill one set of requirements.