Intellectual property law
Certificate, graduate
Overview
Protect innovation. Shape the future.
Gain practice-ready expertise in intellectual property law from faculty who are inventors, patent holders and experienced leaders in the world's innovation economy.
Innovation drives today's global economy — and protecting new ideas has never been more important. University of Idaho College of Law's intellectual property law certificate gives J.D. students the opportunity to develop specialized, practice-ready knowledge in one of the fastest-growing and most dynamic areas of legal practice.
Through focused coursework and applied learning experiences, you’ll explore the laws that protect inventions, creative works, brands and other forms of intellectual property. You'll develop a strong understanding of the U.S. intellectual property system, including patents, trademarks, copyrights and trade secrets, while examining how innovators secure legal protections, enforce their rights and navigate an increasingly global marketplace. You’ll also gain insight into the critical role intellectual property plays in technology, business, entrepreneurship and economic development.
What sets Idaho Law's certificate apart is the opportunity to learn from faculty with first-hand experience as innovators and U.S. patent holders themselves.
Whether you aspire to practice intellectual property law or plan to work in business law, technology, entrepreneurship or corporate practice, the intellectual property law certificate demonstrates to employers that you've developed specialized legal knowledge in an increasingly valuable and highly sought-after field.
This law certificate could be a good fit if you:
- Are fascinated by innovation, technology, entrepreneurship or emerging industries
- Want to understand how patents, trademarks, copyrights and trade secrets protect ideas and creative works
- Enjoy the intersection of law, business, science and technology
- Are considering a career in intellectual property, business law, technology law or corporate practice
- Want to advise inventors, startups, established companies or research organizations
- Hope to distinguish yourself with specialized legal expertise that is highly valued across today's innovation-driven economy
Boise-based law students may earn a graduate certificate in intellectual property law but must be enrolled as a University of Idaho J.D. student.
Moscow-based graduate students may request to pursue this certificate, but enrollment preference will be given to students already pursuing a J.D.
Forge a legal career in the innovation economy
Curriculum
The intellectual property law graduate certificate is a 15-credit program included as part of your J.D. combining coursework and applied learning experiences. Students build technical expertise while gaining hands-on experience in the practice area.
Explore program courses in the University Catalog
Clubs and involvement opportunities
- Intellectual Property Law Society (IPLS): The IPLS provides a forum for Idaho Law students interested in intellectual property (IP) law and provides students with mentors from licensed attorneys of the IP Section of the Idaho State Bar. The partnership gives students actionable insight into a career in IP law and provides networking opportunities with practicing professionals in the field and post-graduate career opportunities.
- Entrepreneurship Law Clinic (Boise only): The Entrepreneurship Law Clinic (ELC) at the College of Law is a hands-on clinical program where third-year law students, under the supervision of the ELC Director, provide free legal services to entrepreneurs and small business owners across Idaho. Over the course of an academic year, each clinic student will typically help form a new business or two, draft several contracts and bill more than 150 hours on client matters.
- Learn about College of Law student-led organizations
Career outcomes
Costs and funding
Pursuing your law degree and embedded certificate at University of Idaho offers exceptional value and a nationally respected education. No matter where you’re from, you’ll pay in-state tuition your first year of law school. And through the Western Regional Graduate Program , you’ll continue to pay in-state tuition all three years. Even if you’re not WRGP-eligible, you’ll still pay in-state tuition your first year and can establish Idaho residency to continue paying in-state for years two and three.
Explore current annual costs for earning your J.D. at Idaho Law — including tuition, housing, meals and personal expenses.
See law scholarships and financial opportunities to make your legal education even more accessible.
Students pursuing a Juris Doctor
Learn how the Idaho Heritage Project – Rural Scholarship Fund can provide financial support to Idaho Law students to obtain summer internships in rural communities throughout Idaho.
Graduate students not pursuing a J.D.
Students pursuing a graduate certificate as a standalone program are not eligible for financial aid. However, students enrolled in a separate U of I graduate degree program may apply their financial aid or graduate funding toward a graduate certificate if they are pursuing both simultaneously.
For more information or to explore funding options, visit Financial Aid or contact the Financial Aid Office at finaid@uidaho.edu or call 208-885-6312.
Contact information
Have questions about the J.D. intellectual property law certificate program or the law student experience in Moscow or Boise? Connect with our College of Law admissions team for personalized guidance about curriculum, law school application requirements and law school scholarship funding opportunities.
Program contact:
Renee Harrison
Director of Admissions
208-885-0143
rrharrison@uidaho.edu
Lundyn Jared
Assistant Director of Admissions – Moscow campus
208-885-2300
lundynj@uidaho.edu
Noe Sanchez
Assistant Director of Admissions – Boise location
208-885-8620
noesanchez@uidaho.edu
Application information
J.D. law certificate pathway
University of Idaho College of Law requires electronic applications via the LSAC Online Services website. The application is available after Labor Day each year. Explore admission requirements, application deadlines, required materials and other information to help you prepare your application on the College of Law admissions website.
Non-J.D. law certificate pathway
Applicants interested in pursuing a graduate level certificate as a standalone program are encouraged to submit a graduate application. A bachelor’s degree earned with a minimum 3.0 GPA in a similar or generally related field or a master’s degree is required for admission. Applicants who do not immediately meet the criteria above may still be admitted upon review by the academic program. The graduate application requires transcripts from post-secondary education (bachelor’s and master’s if applicable), a resume and a $30 application fee.
International graduate certificate applicants must meet the graduate admission English language proficiency requirement. International students admitted to a graduate certificate program as a standalone program are not eligible for F-1 or J-1 visa status.
Visit Graduate Admissions to learn more and start your application.
Graduate certificate application process for current U of I undergraduate students
Current undergraduate students who wish to earn a graduate academic certificate must be eligible to participate in graduate level courses (minimum requirements — senior standing and an overall GPA of at least 3.0). If the course is not being used for the undergraduate degree, the student should file a Course Level Adjustment form to reserve the course for the graduate transcript (maximum of 12 credits may be reserved for the graduate transcript). Once the student earns their bachelor’s degree they may apply as a graduate certificate seeking student and complete the certificate program.
Contact your academic advisor for additional information and support.
Graduate certificate application process for current U of I graduate students
Current graduate degree seeking U of I students will be required to fill out a Change of Curriculum form adding the graduate certificate as an additional curriculum. Students should obtain the proper signatures from the department and return this form to the College of Graduate Studies for processing.
U of I students who earned a master’s or a doctoral degree and wish to apply for a graduate certificate must submit a graduate Readmission application.
It is recommended that you consult with your major professor prior to selecting a graduate certificate to go concurrent with your graduate program.