Penn State Dickinson Law Externships (LWEXT)

Externship placements offer students the opportunity to integrate classroom knowledge and practical work experience in a wide range of different placement opportunities. Students work at the placement site under the supervision of a judge or an attorney. Externship placements are in federal and state judicial chambers, public service and nonprofit offices, state administrative agencies, non- profit, and corporate entities. Students' work with experienced supervisors in these offices to develop stronger research and writing skills, judicial memorandum and opinion drafting, client counseling and interviewing skills, statutory and regulatory analysis interpretation and application, criminal practice, public interest and corporate compliance work. Through their work and classroom assignments and discussions, students are expected to develop a heightened awareness of the methods and functions of judicial, legislative, regulatory, public service and public interest, and corporate entities. Students in litigation placements will have the opportunity to obtain student intern certification and appear in court under the supervision of an attorney.

The International Justice Program allows students to work on cases before one of international courts with jurisdiction over international crimes such as the International Criminal Court and the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia. Students will work under the direct supervision of an experienced international prosecutor or within the judicial chambers of the court.

The Semester in Washington Program allows students to spend a semester in Washington, D.C. earning academic credit for approximately 32 hours per week of supervised legal work at an approved federal government agency, nonprofit organization or public interest group during the third year of law school. The program provides advanced study in federal law and serves as a capstone experience for students interested in federal practice.

The Semester in Harrisburg Program allows students to spend a semester in the Pennsylvania state capital earning academic credit for approximately 24 hours per week of supervised legal work at an approved state government agency, the state legislature, or a nonprofit group that focuses on state government affairs. The program is recommended for students who are interested in pursuing a career in state government or a particular regulatory area, such as banking regulation, environmental law, or securities regulation. The program provides advanced study in state government law and serves as a capstone experience for students interested in a state governmental practice.

The Semester in Practice program provides students with the opportunity to engage in full-time, immersive legal practice under the supervision of experienced attorneys or judges. This course satisfies the experiential learning requirement.

Special Topic Externships.