An externship is an opportunity for students to actively participate in a field of interest to them while earning academic credit. Elective externships are available to second and third year law students who have successfully completed two semesters of law school, are in good standing, and (preferably) have completed or are concurrently enrolled in Professional Responsibility. Some externships demand more specific requirements. Title XV certification is not required; however, it may enhance the experience in some externships.
Before applying for an externship, think about what you want to achieve. Often, the most successful externs are those who want more than an experience to put on their resume – they have an interest in or want to learn about a specific area of law or observe how the law is applied.
Types of Externships →
Applying for Externships
All students must submit (1) a completed Externship Application along with (2) a letter to Professor Angie Doss (or Professor D’lorah Hughes for the Federal Public Defender Externship), explaining why they would like to be placed in a particular externship, (3) a current resume, and (4) two references (at least one of which is a law school professor who has taught the student and is acquainted with the student and his/her work ethic).
Should a student have a particular interest in or connection with an entity or judge not listed, the student should contact the Externship Program Director, Professor Doss, before making any contact with an entity not listed as a current participant. All externships must be reviewed and approved for participation in the program.
Externship Application Checklist
The following materials must be prepared and returned to Professor Doss by the deadline each semester.
- Completed Externship Application with Signed Agreement
- Two references (at least one of which is a law school professor who has taught the student and is acquainted with the student and his/her work ethic).
- Resume*
- Cover letter*, addressed to Professor Angie Doss, for each externship program (not each placement), detailing why you want to participate in the specific externship program. NOTE: For the Federal Public Defender externship, the cover letter should be addressed to Professor D’lorah Hughes.
* Please ensure your resume and cover letter have NO misspellings or grammatical errors.
