Externships and Field Placements
UND School of Law's Externship Program is an experiential learning opportunity for law students to work under the guidance of practicing attorneys, judges, and other qualified professionals.
The program provides hands-on, legal experience for academic credit allowing students to apply classroom knowledge to real-world situations. Adhering to the American Bar Association (ABA) standards for field placement programs, it offers substantial lawyering experiences, qualified supervision, and opportunities for reflection on professional and ethical responsibilities.
Open to law students who are in good academic standing and have completed at least the first year of law school (30 credits), the UND School of Law Externship Program allows students to work in various experiences including opportunities in law firms, government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and judicial chambers. The goal is to allow for a diverse range of experiences to cater to our students' varied interests while providing flexibility by offering opportunities during both the academic year and the summer.
Funding Process, Priorities, and Application
Observe and Perform Qualified Legal Work in the Real World
- Engage in hands-on, real world, legal tasks.
- Gain practical experience that closely mirrors the work of a practicing lawyer under the guidance and supervision of experienced attorneys or qualified individuals.
- Apply substantive legal knowledge to real-world situations, bridging the gap between theory and practice.
- Enhance your legal and professional skills, reflecting on your values and ethical considerations in a practical setting.
- Seamlessly connect your classroom learning to real-world legal practice before completing your law school education
Feedback and Opportunities for Self-Evaluation
- Externs benefit from constructive feedback on their performances and actively participate in self-evaluation, fostering continuous improvement and skill development.
Reflection
- Externs will engage in guided reflection on their experiences with faculty members and/or program directors through the seminar course, allowing them to integrate theory with practice and explore the ethical dimensions of their work.
Academic Credit
- Academic credit is earned corresponding to the hours of work performed.
Financial Payment
- The program accommodates both paid and unpaid legal work, providing flexibility for
students.
- Note: UND School of Law does not track the payment status of externship positions.
Meets ABA and UND School of Law's mandated experiential credits
- The Externship Program fulfills both the American Bar Association's and UND School of Law's requirements for experiential credit.
Gain Confidence and Credibility
- Develop confidence in your legal abilities and enhance your credibility within the legal community.
Try Different Practice Areas
- Explore and test various practice areas, gaining exposure to different legal specialties and finding your professional niche.
Build Your Legal Network
- Establish valuable professional contacts.
- Build relationships with experienced attorneys and professionals.
- Mentorship opportunities that may lead to job recommendations and references.
- Increased chances of securing employment by developing potential job opportunities
When are externship opportunities available?
Regular term externship opportunities are available in the fall, spring, and summer semesters. The full-time legislative externship program in Bismarck, ND is available every other year during the North Dakota legislative session.
Who is eligible to apply for the externship program?
Students in good academic standing may apply to participate in any semester beginning in the summer following their first year of law school.
Can international students participate in the externship program?
Yes, international law students can work in most legal settings across the U.S. while attending law school. They participate in the externship program through the Curricular Practical Training (CPT) work authorization, processed in-house through the international Student Center.
What kind of work qualifies for externship credit?
Students must perform qualified legal or pre-approved quasi-legal work to receive academic credit.
What are the credit and hour requirements for a first-time extern?
Students externing for an organization for the first time must enroll in a minimum of three placement credits, requiring 150 hours of on-site work during the fall/spring semester or 200 hours during the summer term. All placement credits are considered out-of-class credits. Students can enroll in more than the minimum credit hours and it is recommended that they work with their academic advisor to determine how many credits fit their career and academic goals.
Can a student continue as the same placement for another semester?
Yes, a student may continue at the same placement by submitting a statement explaining how an additional semester will advance their career and educational goals, with specific examples of how it will differ from prior semesters. This continuation is at the discretion of the Director, and students in the same placement must register for at least two placement credits during subsequent semesters.
Is there a seminar requirement?
Yes, students enrolled in the externship program for the first time must enroll in a one-credit seminar course, taught via Zoom on Monday evenings. This course typically meets six times per semester. Students enrolling in the program for a second or subsequent time are not required to attend a formal seminar; however, they will have required reflections and assignments and will meet with the faculty member as an advance cohort group at least once, usually twice, per semester via Zoom.
How do students apply for the program?
Students should work with the Office of Career Development, within the Office of Student Life, to secure a legal opportunitiy. After securing a placement, student can apply via the link on the UND School of Law's externship webpage.
What if I'm still searching for an externship opportunity?
Visit CareerConnectLaw to search for jobs or schedule a meeting with the Director of Career Development for assistance.
Will there be an information session?
Yes, 1L information sessions will be scheduled for December and January (exact dates TBD).
Can the externship be paid?
Yes, students may participate in either paid or unpaid externships as long as they meet the program requirements.
How many preapproved placements are available?
We have over 300 preapproved placements throughout the U.S. and Canada.
What if my placement is not preapproved?
If your placement is not on the preapproved list, you can work with the Director to submit the necessary paperwork to add the placement to the program. After submitting the initial papwerwork, the Director will meet virtually with the site supervisor to address any questions and finalize the vetting process. Initially, placements are approved for a single pilot semester; based on its success, the Director will determine whether or not it can be added to the ongoing preapproved placement list. It is recommended that you apply early to ensure that your placement can be vetted and approved prior to the start of the semester. Please allow three to four weeks for the approval process.
The following list is only a small sample of externship placements for UND Law students in the last few years.
- Attorney General:
- ND, MN, AK, NJ
- Canada Government:
- Manitoba
- City Attorney:
- ND, MN, UT, WA, OH
- Federal Agency/Prov Government:
- ND, Manitoba
- Federal Judicial Clerkship:
- ND, IL, DC, AK
- Federal Public Defender:
- ND
- Federal Transportation Board:
- WA
- Federal U.S. Attorney:
- ND, AK
- Higher Ed/Compliance:
- ND
- In-House Counsel:
- Business, Energy Law, Env/Civ Engineering, Insurance, Manufacturing and Technology, Medical, Renewable Energy (ND, MN, NC, MT).
- Judge Advocate General:
- U.S. Airforce, U.S. Army
- Judicial Clerkship - Municipal:
- DE
- Law Firm (all practice areas):
- ND, MN, AZ, CA, GA, CO, TX, MT, IA, IL, NV, NY, OR, SD, WA, DC, WV, WY, OH, Canada
- Tribal Law Firm:
- ND, MN, OK, NE, DC
- Law Firm/Indigent Defense:
- ND, MT
- Legislative:
- ND, NV, Canada
- Nonprofit Agency/Nonprofit Organization:
- ND
- Nonprofit Juvenile Defense:
- CA
- Nonprofit Legal Defense Services:
- ND, MN, NY, MD, CA, WI, FL, NV, MT, Canada
- Nonprofit Sports Association:
- NY
- Sports Agency:
- TX
- State Agency:
- ND, SD
- State Judicial Clerkship:
- ND, MN, IA, MT, NM, NV, CT, PA, TX
- State Public Defender:
- ND, AZ, CA, KY, MN, NV, Canada
- State's/County Attorney:
- ND, MN, AZ, ID, SC, GA, IL, MD, NE, OH, SD, TX
- Tribal Council Attorney:
- MN
- Tribal Judicial Clerkship:
- ND, MN, AZ
- Tribal Judicial Institute:
- ND
- Tribal Law/Public Interest:
- Quebec
Application deadlines and orientation dates for upcoming programs:
Spring 2025 Program
- Spring 2025 Externship Application
- Application Deadline: Monday, December 30, 2024
- Orientation: Monday, January 6, 2025 at 5:00 p.m. via Zoom
- Registration: Available beginning late December
Summer 2025 Program
- Summer 2025 Externship Application
- Application Deadline: Thursday, May 1, 2025
- Orientation: Friday, May 2, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. via Zoom or in-person (pending make-up exams schedule).
- Registration: Available after April 21, 2025.