Academic Programs
Field Placement Program
With more than 2000 externship placements in the last 31 years, the Field Placement Program has become a central part of students' skills training at the College of Law. Externships allow students to gain valuable career experience while making important professional contacts. Course credit is offered in exchange for placements with various government agencies, members of the judiciary, non-profit organizations, and for-profit organizations.
The Field Placement Program is available to upper level students who have completed 40 or more credit hours and who are in good academic standing with at least a 2.0 G.P.A. Students must apply on their own to their desired agency, as they would in order to obtain employment, often by submitting a cover letter and résumé. Some application procedures may require a writing sample or transcript, depending upon the agency or judge. For more information, please visit Natalie Taylor in the Field Placement Program Office - Room 312 Lewis Center, or 312.362.8312.
Program Requirements
The specific requirements student-externs must fulfill in order to receive academic credit are set out in the Field Placement Program: Objectives, Rules and Regulations. The following is an abbreviated summary of the field placement program requirements. Students must:
- Complete 180 hours of fieldwork (approx. 12-15 hours per week).
- Turn in two progress reports.
- Meet with a faculty mentor (one will be assigned to each student-extern after registration) at least twice.
- Turn in a final report and log of hours at the conclusion of the externship.
Students should note that the approval of the Field Placement Program Coordinator is required prior to any registration, because not all positions are available for credit. As such, registration is not available online. Some placements have been already been approved. Details about these placements are available in the Field Placement Program: Application Procedures document.
After the student-extern has applied to their desired agency, he or she must meet with the Field Placement Program Coordinator in order to register. Registration is available during the ordinary registration period each semester.
