Media, Law & Technology Certificate

The nation's media historically have had important influence on the public's understanding of the legal system. In news and advertising, as well as in movies and other forms of entertainment, the media have illuminated or scrutinized the work of lawyers, judges and legislators.

Now, because of advancements in digital technology, the media are expanding, as is their influence in society. No longer are media limited mainly to such print publications as newspapers and to radio and television broadcasting. Media now range from mobile phones to social networks.

The Media, Law & Technology Certificate program gives students an opportunity to study how both traditional and new, digital media affect the relationship between law and society. Through certificate courses, students gain insight into how media affect the legal system, relate to government and business, and influence legislation and public policy. In addition, students have an opportunity to advance their knowledge and skill in the diverse legal subjects that are of concern to media lawyers. These subjects range from such traditional areas as censorship, libel, freedom of information and prejudicial pre-trial publicity to licensing of intellectual property, digital privacy rights, media liability insurance, electronic data collection, storage and transfer, and security of wireless and online communications.

In their first year, students who intend to meet the certificate requirements should give notice to the registrar of the School of Law. The students will qualify for the certificate if they meet the requirements for the degree Juris Doctor and earn credits as follows:

Certificate Requirements

A core comprising any three of these courses:

  • Law 888 - Copyright Law and Digital Works
  • Law 958 - Media and the First Amendment
  • Law 959 - Media Law Clinic
  • Law 951 - Digital Privacy Rights in an Open Society
  • Law 968 - Intellectual Property
  • Law 994 - Special Topics (when offered for at least three credits on a topic related to media, law and technology*)

Any one of these courses that include a writing requirement:

  • Law 893 - Topics in the Law of Cyberspace
  • Law 894 - Externship Clinic (when completed for at least three credits with a government agency or nonprofit or public international organization related to media, law and technology*)
  • Law 924 - Independent Research (written work on a topic related to media, law and technology* for at least two credits)
  • Law 937 and/or 940 - Kansas Journal of Law and Public Policy (written work on a topic related to media, law and technology* for at least two credits)
  • Law 950 - Law Review (written work on a topic related to media, law and technology for at least two credits*)
  • Law 955 - Legislative Clinic
  • Law 976 - Public Policy Clinic

At least two credits from among the following courses on expressive freedom or other subjects of interest to media lawyers:

  • Law 851 - Contracts III
  • Law 867 - Law and the Arts
  • Law 916 - The State and Religion
  • Law 922 - Introduction to Copyright in Literary and Artistic Works
  • Law 926 - Insurance
  • Law 946 - Law and Literature
  • Law 953 - Legal Aspects of the Music Industry
  • Law 957 - Sports Law
  • Law 960 - Moot Court Competition (on the First Amendment or other media-related subject*)
  • Law 971 - Product Liability
  • Law 977 - Patent Law
  • Law 984 - Research Workshop (on a media, law and technology topic*)
  • Law 991 - Torts II

Two courses from among these electives that address law of interest to media and relate to government and public policy:

  • Law 842 - State Constitutional Law
  • Law 850 - Administrative Law
  • Law 886 - Civil Rights Actions
  • Law 887 - Constitutional Topics
  • Law 891 - Elections and Campaign Finance
  • Law 910 - Federal Courts and the Federal System
  • Law 943 - Law and Economics
  • Law 933 - Judicial Clerkship Clinic
  • Law 954 - Legislation
  • Law 956 - Local Government Law
  • Law 984 - Research Workshop (on a topic of interest to media and related to government and public policy*)

The certificate program director, subject to School of Law policies and procedures, may authorize course substitutions upon a showing of changed circumstances, such as an unexpected cancellation of a course offering.

* Enrollment for certificate credit is subject to approval by the certificate program director.

Return to Certificate Programs page