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Important Note:

Because the School is committed to keeping up with changes in the practice of law, the requirements for emphasis areas may change during the course of a student's enrollment at the School. The requirements at the time a student is granted admission into the emphasis area are the requirements that govern completion of the student's emphasis requirements. For possible revised requirements that will take effect with the next academic year, see http://www1.law.umkc.edu/Academic/Emphasis/famlaw.pdf.

UMKC School of Law Emphasis in Child and Family Law

The UMKC School of Law Emphasis in Child and Family Law prepares students to serve these pressing and unique legal needs. The program prepares students to serve the whole family -- from infants to elders -- and maintains a unique collaborative and interdisciplinary framework. The emphasis program requires that students master the basic doctrine and legal theories involved when the legal system interacts with families. In addition, however, students undertake study exposing them to the perspectives of other disciplines such as psychology and social work. Students study the unique ethical dilemmas of this area of law in specialized workshops and gain hands-on experience in representing children and families in the program's clinical components. Finally, all students in the emphasis complete an in-depth capstone research and writing project.

Students who qualify for and successfully complete the credential requirements in the Child and Family Law program should be in an excellent position to pursue and succeed in careers serving children, families, and elders, whether in private or government practice or in other leadership roles.