Certificate in the Law

KGI and Southwestern Law School partnered in 2013 to establish an exciting Bioscience Industry Law and Practice certificate program to provide law students and Master of Business and Science students with a unique understanding of the interplay between law and the fast-growing bioscience industry.

  • Through this certificate program, qualified Southwestern students with an interest in intellectual property, for example, can take courses at KGI in the area of technology management, entrepreneurship, and bioscience related industry dynamics—important given the critical role of IP in these industries.
  • Conversely, qualified KGI students interested in bioscience industry dynamics could take courses at Southwestern in intellectual property law, patent and trademark law, and regulatory law as it applies to healthcare and the bioscience industry.

This certificate program is small and highly competitive with approximately two-to-four students from each school each year. The schools will select candidates for the program from among their student bodies. Southwestern students will have up to two years to complete the policy certificate program. KGI MBS students must complete the certificate program during their second year.

Program Overview for KGI Students

Through this program, KGI students complete courses at Southwestern Law School, such as healthcare regulations, legislation, patent law, drafting technology agreements, IP licensing, and patent preparation and prosecution. Students will need to complete a minimum of 4.5 equivalent units at KGI and 4.0 units at Southwestern to earn the Certificate in Bioscience Industry Law and Practice (KGI courses generally count for 1.5 or 3 units; Southwestern courses are generally 1, 2, or 3 units).

Course descriptions and complete details, including perquisites and number of units can be found on the Southwest Law Program information page.

Application Procedures and Requirements

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    Eligibility

    Only open to students currently enrolled at Southwestern Law School or in the Master of Business and Science (MBS) program at KGI. Southwestern students will be eligible to enter the certificate program after completion of their first or second year of law school. KGI students may enter the certificate program after completion of their first year of the MBS program.

    Dates and Deadlines

    • Start Terms: Fall
    • Application Deadline: Rolling

    Application Requirements 

    Printer Friendly Application Checklist

    An online application form is required that contains questions about your personal and educational background. Additional requirements (below) can be submitted along with your online application or separately:

    • Personal Statement
      • In 1,000 words or less, please describe how the Certificate in Bioscience Industry Law and Practice will enhance your future career options and increase your skill set in the life science industry.
    • Resume
    • Letter of Recommendation
      • Contact information for one recommender is required during the online application process. Recommenders will be contacted via email to submit their recommendation online. If they prefer otherwise they can email or mail a copy to the Admissions Office along with this recommendation form.

    Application Review

    Applications will be considered in the context of the total applicant pool, as well as in relationship to our general admissions standards. We do not use arbitrary grade point or test score cutoffs.

    All admissions decisions are final for the academic year in which they are rendered.