Atlanta is home to five professional sports teams and a multi-billion-dollar entertainment industry. A few miles from the College of Law, you’ll find CNN, State Farm Arena, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, EUE Screen Gems Studios and Tyler Perry Studios. As this exciting area grows, more artists, athletes and entrepreneurs need legal representation.
The Entertainment, Sports & Media Law Certificate allows currently enrolled J.D. students to specialize in entertainment law. The certificate is a part of the College of Law’s Entertainment, Sports and Media Law Initiative. The goal of the program is to help law students grow into competent entertainment attorneys.
HIGHLIGHTS
200+
16
500+
Benefits
- Students analyze legal principles, legal and business deals in the entertainment, sports and media industries. The program prepares students for employment at entertainment, sports and media law firms, media companies and movie studios.
- This specialization will give students an understanding about contracts for artists, athletes and media personalities. Learn how lawyers create and negotiate those agreements for their clients.
- Events held in the fall and spring for students, professionals and community stakeholders to highlight entertainment, sports and media and current legal issues facing these industries.
- The certificate is a part of the College of Law’s Entertainment, Sports and Media Law Initiative, created to connect students and law studies to the entertainment, sports and media communities.
Potential Careers
- Entertainment attorney
- Sports attorney
- Media attorney
- Intellectual property attorney
- In-house counsel
- Sports agent
Atlanta Advantage
Located in the heart of downtown with access to Atlanta’s landmarks, professional sports, global cuisine, cultural events and more.
A FEW STEPS
- CNN Center
- State Farm Arena
- Mercedes-Benz Stadium
- College Football Hall of Fame
- Georgia State Stadium
- Creative Media Industries Institute (CMII)
- Rialto Center for the Performing Arts
A FEW MILES
- EUE Screen Gems Studios
- Tyler Perry Studios
- Georgia Public Broadcasting
- Woodruff Arts Center
- Cox Communications
- Fox Theater
Certificate Requirements
Students must be in good academic standing, based on the successful completion of the first full year of law study, to participate in the certificate program. Students must remain in good standing to continue participation.
Required Courses
12 credit hours
- LAW 7079: Arts and Entertainment Law (3 credits)
- LAW 7473: Sports Law (3 credits, Writing Requirement)
- LAW 7390: Mass Communication and Media Law (3 credits)
- LAW 7158: Copyrights (3 credits)
Elective Courses
Students choose a minimum of 6 credit hours from the approved elective courses to complete the certificate.
Experiential Courses
Students take one qualifying skill development training/experiential course, externship, or independent study from the approved experiential courses to complete the certificate.
Writing Requirement
Students must complete a substantial writing project, which may also be used to satisfy the College of Law’s writing requirement. Student may also complete an Independent Study in Entertainment, Sports, or Media (1-2 credits) area of interest to meet the writing requirement.
Extracurricular Activities
Students are encouraged to participate in extracurricular activities:
- GSU Sports and Entertainment Law Society
- GSU Creative Media Industries Institute
- GSU sponsored events involving Entertainment, Sports and Media Law
- Local or national Entertainment, Sports, and/or Media Bar Associations
- Georgia Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts
- work with affiliated faculty as a GRA
- summer internship placements
Grades
A minimum GPA of 3.0 is required for all courses taken in satisfaction of the certificate requirements. A minimum grade of 3.0 is required for the writing requirement.
Verification for Graduation
Students must verify that certificate requirements have been fulfilled prior to graduation. Students must fill out the Entertainment, Sports & Media Law Certificate Program Verification Form. The Verification Form must be approved by the director of Entertainment, Sports & Media Law and submitted to the COL Registrar no later than the drop/add date of the last semester before graduation.
– Patrice Ruffin (J.D. ‘21)
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