Individual Externship
1 - 4 Credit Hours
(variable option credits available: 42.5 hours per credit).
Overseeing Professor:
Christine Cerniglia, Associate Professor of Law & Director of Clinical and Experiential Education
[email protected]
Program Description:
This program allows students to obtain credit for performing legal work and educational activities at approved placements that fall outside the scope of preexisting clinic and externship programs. Students will perform legal work such as research and writing, reviewing documents, conducting investigations, drafting documents, and observing legal proceedings. Additionally, students will submit guided reflections and work product assignments, and actively participate in academic activities assigned by the overseeing professor. Paid, or Private law firm placements are not permitted.
Program Requirements:
• 42.5 hours per semester for each credit hour awarded;
• Classes (and/or individual conferences) will meet every Monday throughout the semester from 4:55 p.m. - 5:55 p.m.;
• Submit weekly time sheet on Canvas;
• Multiple reflective papers over the course of the semester
Eligibility Requirements:
• Successful completion of all first-year required courses;
• Be in good academic standing;
• Approval of placement by the overseeing professor (Students should contact Professor Cerniglia a semester in advance of their intended participation to initiate the review process); and
• Fulfill any other requirements of the hosting placement.
Established Placement Opportunities:
• Conviction Review Unit - State Attorney's Office, Thirteenth Judicial Circuit;
• Federal Public Defender, Middle District of Florida (Tampa); and
• ACLU - Tampa;
• Note that students may still secure their own placements and apply for credit consideration. The above listed placements have previously established hosting relationships with the Department and rely on the Department to oversee the externship application process. For students interested in a placement with one of the above mentioned placements, please contact a member of the Clinical and Experiential Education Department for more details. We ask that you not contact the placements directly unless instructed to do so.
Application Requirements:
The student must secure a legal position for a government agency, a not-for-profit corporation, or legal aid organization, and then shall submit a completed application by the appropriate deadline (for more information, visit our Clinics and Externships page) and, timely submit additional documentation as required for this program. Students are notified of additional requirements after applying and being provisionally placed in the program. Contact Professor Cerniglia for more information on the application procedures for this program.