Prosecution and Defense Certificate

The Prosecution and Defense Certificate is designed to prepare students for careers in criminal prosecution or criminal defense.

Download the Prosecution and Defense Certificate Checklist‌.

See Prosecution and Defense Certificate Learning Outcomes.

Curriculum

Students will engage in at least 27 credits of academic coursework as well as skills and experiential training, which includes extensive involvement by local practitioners.

Required Courses

Criminal Law (3 credits)
Prosecution & Defense (3 credits)
Evidence (4 credits)
Criminal Procedure - Investigation (3 credits)
Criminal Procedure - Adjudication (3 credits)

Required Skills Training

Trial Advocacy (3 credits)

Required Experiential Training

Prosecutor Internship (1-3 credits)
Criminal Defense Clinic (4-6 credits)

Electives

Advanced Criminal Defense Clinic – Trial (4 credits)
Advanced Polk County Prosecutor Internship (3 credits)
Advanced Prosecutor Internship (1 credit)
Domestic Violence (3 credits)
Federal Criminal Law (3 credits)
Federal Public Defender Internship (3 credits)
Global Issues in Criminal Law (1 credit)
Psychiatry and the Law (2-3 credits)
Scientific and Expert Evidence (2 credits)
State Public Defender Internship (3 credits)
State Public Defender Appellate Internship (3 credits)
U.S. Attorney's Office Internship (3 credits)
Wrongful Convictions Clinic (4-6 credits)
Wrongful Convictions Law and Policy (3 credits)

For more information, see Drake Law School's course descriptions.

Program Director:

Ellen Yee, Director of International Programs and Professor of Law
515-271-1914 ellen.yee@drake.edu 
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