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Externships

Externships provide a unique opportunity for students to work in a professional setting outside the Law School while earning academic credits. The program requires students work at an approved placement during the semester and take a companion externship course. The course enhances the student experience by assisting in the development of essential practical skills, professional skills, values, and judgment. By emphasizing self-reflection, externships not only offer invaluable practical experience but ensure students have the capacity for self-directed professional growth beyond their law school years.

The Externship Program currently offers five programs: the Public Service Externship, Holistic Defense Externship, Judicial Externship, Corporate Counsel Externship, and Lawyering in the Nation's Capital Externship. 

For more information, view the Externship FAQs below or email Assistant Professor (Clinical) Daniel Ellman, director of externships, at lawexternships@wayne.edu.

Details regarding prerequisites, program requirements and application processes are outlined at the links below. 

Externship Course Offerings: Annual Schedule

Beginning in the Summer 2022 term, the Externship Program will offer its programs according to the following annual schedule:

Fall terms

Holistic Defense Externship
Corporate Counsel Externship

Winter terms

Public Service Externship
Judicial Externship
Lawyering in the Nation's Capital Externship

Summer terms

Public Service Externship
Judicial Externship
Corporate Counsel Externship

Upcoming Application Schedule

Below is the externship application schedule for Winter 2023, Summer 2023, Fall 2023, and Lawyering in the Nation's Capital (Winter 2024)

Sept. 29, 2022 Applications open for:

  • Judicial Externship (Winter 2023)
  • Public Service (Winter 2023)

Dec. 21, or when the course reaches capacity, whichever is sooner Applications close for:

  • Judicial Externship (Winter 2023)
  • Public Service (Winter 2023)

Feb. 6, 2023 Applications open for:

  • Judicial Externship (Summer 2023)
  • Public Service (Summer 2023)
  • Corporate Counsel (Summer 2023)
  • Holistic Defense (Fall 2023)

April 3 - Applications open for: 

  • Lawyering in the Nation's Capital (Winter 2024)

April 28, or whenever course reaches capacity, whichever is sooner - Applications close for:

•             Judicial Externship (Summer 2023)

•             Public Service (Summer 2023)

May 17 Applications close for:

  • Lawyering in the Nation's Capital (Winter 2024)

June 8 Applications open for:

  • Corporate Counsel (Fall 2023)

June 22 Applications close for:

  • Corporate Counsel (Fall 2023)

For donors

Please consider investing in the work of the clinics by making a gift. Visit giving.wayne.edu or contact Rob MacGregor, senior director of philanthropy, at (313) 577-4141 or rmacgregor@wayne.edu.

Contact

Assistant Professor (Clinical) Daniel Ellman
Director of Externships
ellmand@wayne.edu

Externship FAQ

  • How do I view the list of externship placements?

    You can complete an externship from Wayne Law's lists of approved placements, which is available via Canvas. You have to log in with your access ID and password to view them. If you cannot access the lists, email lawcommunications@wayne.edu for assistance. 

    View approved placements

    Placements include prosecutors' and public defenders' offices, courts, corporate counsel offices and public interest organizations.

  • What are externships?

    Externships are an academic program that allows students to earn credit for work at an approved placement with a court, nonprofit organization, state or federal agency, or in-house counsel program. Students enroll in the colloquium which is a course that supplements a student's experience at the approved externship placement.  

  • Am I eligible to participate in an externship?

    If you are a J.D. student, you must have completed all required first-year courses, have a grade point average of at least 2.0, and have passed or be enrolled in Professional Responsibility to be eligible for an externship.

    If you are an LL.M. student, you must have a minimum 3.0 grade point average, have completed the equivalent of the first-year courses, and have passed or be enrolled in Professional Responsibility to be eligible for an externship. As an LL.M. student, your externship placement must be related to your concentration.

  • How many credits are externships?

    When you elect to take an externship for credit, you must complete the externship colloquium and either the practicum or perform at least 150 hours of work for an approved field supervisor during the same semester. The colloquium and the practicum are two credits each.

  • Is there a maximum number of externship credits I can count towards the completion of my degree?

    You can take no more than eight credit hours in the externship program. There is also a 14-credit maximum on clinics and externships combined. 

  • How do I apply for an externship?

    Please see the application process detailed here.