Photograph: Eagle statue outside law school.

Estate Planning Certificate

Washburn University School of Law grants the Estate Planning Certificate to students who demonstrate a proficiency in estate planning and tax law. By granting the Certificate, the Washburn Law Faculty acknowledges that the recipient has successfully completed a focused and rigorous course of study that prepares the student for the practice of estate planning and the advanced study of tax law.

Course Requirements

  • Taxation of Business Enterprises (LW940) (3 Hours)
  • Taxation of Individual Income (LW 790 - 3 hours)
  • Taxation of Gratuitous Transfers (LW 793 - 2-3 hours)
  • Tax Policy Seminar (LW 823 - 2 hours)
  • Decedents' Estates and Trusts (LW 915 - 3-4 hours) and
  • Estate Planning (LW 749 - 3 hours)

Writing Requirement

Complete the upper level writing requirement (or equivalent writing project) on an estate planning topic. Students may satisfy the Certificate writing requirement through the Tax Policy Seminar, Directed Research, or an alternative writing opportunity approved in advance, and certified satisfactorily competed, by the student's Certificate Advisor. To satisfy the writing requirement, the student must receive a grade of "B" or better on the paper.

Service Requirement

  1. Complete 10 hours of pre-approved pro bono activities relating to tax law or estate planning.
  2. Serve in a leadership position in the Tax and Estate Planning Association for at least two academic years or contribute to an approved ABA or KBA Section of Taxation project.

General Requirements

Any student interested in pursuing an Estate Planning Certificate must meet with the faculty member administering the certificate (Professor McMillan) to plan a course of study. This must be done prior to completing 40 hours of study. During the meeting, the faculty member and student will complete the "Meeting Summary" (27 KB PDF). The faculty member will serve as the student's Certificate Advisor.

The student must complete 90 hours of total law school credit and achieve a minimum grade point average of 3.0 in courses used to satisfy the Certificate Course Requirements.

Note: Students who declared their intent to pursue a Certificate prior to June 1, 2021, and who obtained a minimum grade point average of 3.5 for courses used to satisfy their Certificate requirements, will be awarded the Estate Planning Certificate (with distinction).

Approved by the faculty: May 2005
Effective: January 2006
Revised: August 19, 2010; December 21, 2014; June 29, 2021.

Short URL for this page:
https://washburnlaw.edu/estateplanningcertificate

Faculty Member
Photograph: Lori McMillan.

Lori McMillan
Professor of Law

Courses offered within the law school curriculum are subject to change at any time.

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Certificates of Concentration

Students at Washburn University School of Law may distinguish themselves in the job market by earning a Certificate of Concentration. The areas of concentration can be completed within the traditional 90 credit hours required for graduation. While students do not declare majors because law school provides a broad foundational education, earning a certificate at Washburn Law allows students to formalize an area of specialization within the traditional law school curriculum.

Certificates may be earned in the following areas: