The Certificate in Business and Public Policy is awarded to JD students who complete its requirements: one course in Business and Public Policy at Wharton, one regulatory course at the Law School, and two other courses selected from Business and Public Policy or certain Wharton MBA courses where there are open seats following the Wharton auction.

• Certificate of Study
• Course Listings
• Law School Form (required to be completed for all courses taken outside of the Law School - this form is due in the Law School Registrar's Office before the end of drop/add each semester)
  

How do I apply for the Certificate?
For JD candidates, a formal application is required. As detailed in the information provided on the links above, a candidate for the Certificate in Business and Public Policy must complete 12 law school semester hours (4 credit units) in pre-selected courses. This includes one regulatory law course, one Business and Public Policy course and 2 additional courses from Wharton's MBA curriculum.

JD candidates can begin to take courses toward the Certificate in the second year. The Law School conducts a lottery each semester (for 3Ls) to fill reserved seats in several Business and Public Policy courses. Information about the lottery will be sent out from the Law School in August and November. The lottery is administered through the Law School - NOT Business and Public Policy. Please direct all questions about the lottery to the Law School Registrar's Office at 215-898-6427 or reg@law.upenn.edu.

In March of 3L year, the Law School will email students and ask that they complete a qualifying form indicating the courses they've taken to complete the Certificate requirements. The Law School will conduct an audit to verify the information provided on the form and submit the names of those who've successfully fulfilled the requirements to the Business and Public Policy department. Wharton will then issue the Certificate after graduation.

What do I do if I did not receive a seat in the lottery?
If you are not able to get a seat through the Law School's lottery, you can register on a first-come, first-served basis for open capacity during Non-Wharton MBA registration which takes place about a week after classes start. For the Fall 2008 semester this will take place on Wednesday, September 10, 2006 in 300 JMHH at 9:00 a.m.

Can I take courses toward the Certificate as a 2L?
Yes, 2L students can take courses at Wharton that can count toward the Certificate. The lottery, however, is open only  to 3L Certificate candidates.

What courses can I take at Wharton and when can I take them?
BPUB courses with lottery seats and/or Wharton electives which have open capacity.

If I want to substitute a Law course whom do I contact?
The pre-approved list of approved Law Courses are selected from a pre-determined list of regulatory courses; reflecting the pedagogical view that a regulatory course is a strong adjunct to the Business and Public Policy courses. Requests for a substitution of the Law course can be directed to the Law School Registrar at 215-898-6427.

If a course is offered at the Law School by a Wharton faculty member will the course count toward the certificate?
If the course is not cross listed with a Wharton or BPUB course, it will not count toward your three credit units at Wharton.

Will a course at the Fels Institute of Government count towards the certificate?
No, it will not.

May I waive a BPUB course and still qualify for the certificate?
No, you must take at least one BPUB, one Law and two Wharton credit units. The Wharton credit units may include additional BPUB credit units.

May I take a Wharton core course toward the certificate?
No, core courses are not an option. Only elective courses at Wharton may be taken.

May the prerequisites be waived for a course?
No.

May I take the course for pass/fail?
The Law School will not permit you to take a course pass/fail unless you have received written permission from the Wharton faculty member. If the course is not going to fulfill one of the Certificate requirements, you may take it pass/fail. The Law School Registrar's Office must be notified of your decision to change a course to pass/fail. The course will be registered for a grade unless notice to change the grade option to P/F is received at least ONE WEEK prior to the start of Law School exams.

Effective Spring 2007, courses toward the certificate may not be taken pass/fail.

When will I receive the certificate?
The certificate will be mailed to your home address after graduation.
 

Please contact the Advisor for more information.