Graduate Training (201)
Applicant Requirements
Attorneys who have completed the SPDTC Core 101 Training Program.
Following our three-year program, graduates often find themselves at a critical juncture of their careers as public defenders. Thus, the Graduate 201 Program provides participants with deeper and on-going development opportunities that fortify their commitment to public defense work. Participants learn a variety of leadership skills, tools and resources to help them continue to develop as advocates.
Curriculum
The curriculum for the Graduate 201 Program is comprised of advanced advocacy and skills development workshops. The interactive program also engages participants’ leadership skills by encouraging the exploration of new SPDTC mission-driven opportunities. The sample curriculum below includes sessions that are facilitated by our faculty and representatives of organizations such as the American Council of Chief Defenders:
1. Advanced Negotiation Skills
2. Selecting and Interviewing Expert Witnesses
3. Immigration and Mental Health Law
4. Effective Leadership and Management in the areas of:
a. Supervision
b. Time Management
c. Advanced Communication Skills
5. Strategic System Change Training
a. Advocacy Development
b. Community Outreach
c. Coalition Building
Participation
Participation in the Graduate 201 Program amounts to 9 meeting days annually for a duration of three years. Members attend the following:
Graduate 201 Development Seminar (1 day) – This seminar is intended to facilitate discussion about the mission, plans, and goals of Graduate Program participants and assist them with devising effective strategies for achieving them.
Trainer Development Conference (2 Days) – Each graduate will attend SPDTC’s annual Trainer Development Conference to learn how to become effective trainers.
Summer Institute (3 days) – Each graduate will spend three days at the Summer Institute in Birmingham. During this time the graduate will serve as an apprentice trainer to incoming Core 101 participants, in order to hone his or her teaching skills.
Winter Training Session (3 days) – Each graduate will spend three days at the SPDTC Winter Session. The first day is dedicated to reviewing the progress made by each graduate. The subsequent days, graduates will help facilitate sessions for the core program participants and receive advocacy and leadership training.