Login | February 27, 2026
CSU College of Law unveils new voluntary AI certificate program
SHERRY KARABIN
Published: February 27, 2026
As generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) continues to transform the legal profession, more law schools are offering training to their students.
In 2025, Case Western Reserve University School of Law became the first in the country to require all first-year students to earn a certification in legal AI.
And it’s not the only law school in Ohio that is focusing on getting students up to speed on the technology.
The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law has also started a non-credit “AI in the Law” course.
And this year Cleveland State University College of Law (CSU|LAW) unveiled a new voluntary certificate program designed to give students hands-on training working with generative AI tools.
Developed by the experiential legal training platform AltaClaro, Fundamentals of Prompt Engineering for Lawyers also focuses on understanding AI’s limitations in legal practice and embedding verification and professional judgment into AI-assisted legal workflows.
CSU College of Law Co-Interim Dean Brian Ray says the program is part of the school’s overall strategy to ensure graduates are prepared to effectively and responsibly use AI.
“It’s clear from our discussions with legal employers, especially law firms, that these tools are quickly becoming a part of the competencies that students will need to effectively practice law,” says Ray.
“Every firm we have spoken to is either utilizing them or is planning to do so.
“Our goal is for employers to know that CSU Law graduates are entering the profession prepared to use these powerful tools thoughtfully, ethically and competently.”
More than 100 students have already completed the January session of the program.
Participants watched interactive video tutorials and did exercises with generative AI tools. They also completed an assignment and received feedback in a live session with a legal professional.
While it’s a non-credit course, students received a certificate from AltaClaro.
In the press release, AltaClaro Founder and Chief Executive Officer Abdi Shayesteh stated, “We are excited to partner with CSU|LAW on this forward-thinking initiative. CSU|LAW is demonstrating leadership by proactively preparing students for the realities of AI-enabled legal practice, not just by introducing the technology, but through a focus on judgment, rigor and practical application.”
The next session of the program is expected to take place in March.
While students are not required to complete any AI-specific classes, Ray says faculty members are incorporating the tools into their courses.
“We're actively looking at the possibility of requiring this (the certificate program) or incorporating it into a required course that already exists,” says Ray.