How long does it take to complete the specialization?

The Specialization involves about 24 hours of material across four courses. At roughly 6 hours a week, most learners complete it in about a month.

Is this course really 100% online? Do I need to attend any classes in person?

This course is completely online, so there’s no need to show up to a classroom in person. You can access your lectures, readings and assignments anytime and anywhere via the web or your mobile device.

Can I just enroll in a single course?

Yes! To get started, click the course card that interests you and enroll. You can enroll and complete the course to earn a shareable certificate. When you subscribe to a course that is part of a Specialization, you’re automatically subscribed to the full Specialization. Visit your learner dashboard to track your progress.

Is financial aid available?

Yes. In select learning programs, you can apply for financial aid or a scholarship if you can’t afford the enrollment fee. If fin aid or scholarship is available for your learning program selection, you’ll find a link to apply on the description page.

Can I take the course for free?

No, you cannot take this course for free. When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Specialization, and you earn a certificate when you complete the work. If you cannot afford the fee, you can apply for financial aid.

Foundations of American Law Specialization

Foundations of American Law Specialization

Learn about the Foundations of American Law.

This specialization offers an overview of the foundations of American law.

Instructor: Jennie Pahre

Included with Learn more

1 course series

Get in-depth knowledge of a subject

Beginner level

No prior experience required

4 weeks to complete

at 6 hours a week

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

1 course series

Get in-depth knowledge of a subject

Beginner level

No prior experience required

4 weeks to complete

at 6 hours a week

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

What you'll learn

Understand core areas of law and how laws evolve in response to societal and technological change.
Understand the history and operations of the U.S. legal system, including its key actors.
Apply basic legal concepts to identify potential legal issues when reviewing policies, procedures, contracts, & business strategies in the workplace.
Apply basic legal concepts to recognize the legal risks of business and tech decisions, including when a situation calls for consulting counsel.

Details to know

Shareable certificate

Add to your LinkedIn profile

Taught in English

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Advance your subject-matter expertise

Learn in-demand skills from university and industry experts
Master a subject or tool with hands-on projects
Develop a deep understanding of key concepts
Earn a career certificate from University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Specialization - 1 course series

This specialization is intended to familiarize students with the history and development of the American legal system and provide an overview of some of the major topics within the American legal system. Topics covered include the development of American law from English common law, key institutions in the American legal system, the legal relationships between the three branches of government, various aspects of civil rights, exploration of different types of crimes such as personal injuries, property crime, and white collar crime, tort law, intellectual property law, real property law, trusts and wills, estate law, contracts, family law, and trial procedures.

Applied Learning Project

Rights, Liberties, & Criminal Law

Course 1, 15 hours

What you'll learn

Explain constitutional protections for religion, speech, assembly, privacy, and the accused, and how civil rights law secures equal treatment
Identify the elements of criminal liability, including inchoate offenses, and how crimes against persons, property, and public order are defined
Evaluate criminal defenses, limits on prosecution, and theories of punishment, and assess how criminal law creates risk for businesses

Earn a career certificate

Add this credential to your LinkedIn profile, resume, or CV. Share it on social media and in your performance review.

Instructor

Jennie Pahre

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

0 Courses0 learners

Offered by

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

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Frequently asked questions

some basic knowledge of the law and legal system will benefit the student

No. You can start with whichever course best matches your interests — each course is designed to stand on its own, so there's no required or recommended sequence.

No. This Specialization does not carry University of Illinois academic credit. The video content overlaps, however, with courses offered through the University of Illinois College of Law's for-credit Certificate and Master of Science in Law (MSL) programs, where students complete additional graded coursework and assignments to earn credit. Learn more about the Certificate or MSL program.