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supreme court of florida

Florida Judicial Externship

2 - 4 Credit Hours

(variable credit enrollments available: 42.5 hours per credit. 7-12 credits for State Supreme Court placement)

Overseeing Professor:
Michael Vastine, Assistant Dean of Clinical and Experiential Education
[email protected] 

This course is an experiential course placing students in chambers with an assigned judge at the trial or appellate level. A judicial externship is an opportunity for students to learn procedure and an area of practice through the lens of the judiciary. Students may participate in a variety of activities such as conducting legal research and writing, reviewing and making recommendations on civil or criminal cases, drafting memoranda or orders, as well as observing court proceedings. Apart from the field experience, students enrolled in this course keep monthly journals to dialogue with the overseeing professor about their experience and their own professional identity. Generally, students are placed in one of three settings: (1) the Florida Supreme Court Fellows Program; (2) in-chambers with a judge at one of Florida’s District Courts of Appeal; or (3) in-chambers with a judge at one of Florida’s Circuit Courts. Depending upon the court, students may apply through the on-campus application process for externship courses or may directly apply to the court and seek course credit. To enroll in this course, students must apply through Stetson’s formal externship program and be contacted by the professor overseeing the externship. Students may also attend the general externship course to assist with general skill development. 

Placement Locations:

  • Sixth Judicial Circuit (Clearwater and St. Petersburg)
  • Thirteenth Judicial Circuit (Tampa) - Students must apply directly to the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit.
  • Second District Court of Appeal (St. Petersburg) - Students must apply directly to the Second District Court of Appeal. The  application is available on the court website.
  • Florida Supreme Court (Tallahassee) - Students must apply directly to the Florida Supreme Court. The application is available on the court's website. 

Circuit Court/District Court of Appeal Program Requirements:

  • 42.5 hours per credit;
  • Online classroom component
  • Monthly journal entries 

Circuit Court/District Court of Appeal Eligibility Requirements:

  • Successful completion of all first-year required courses;
  • Be in good academic standing;
  • Pass background check; and
  • No legal employment/volunteering during externship semester.

Circuit Court/District Court of Appeal Application Requirements:

State Supreme Court 

State Supreme Court Program Requirements:

  • 42.5 credits per hour
  • Attend some to all of the weekly Monday Individual Externship course 

State Supreme Court Eligibility Requirements: 

  • Be a second semester, second-year student or a third-year student during time at the court;
  • Be in the top 25 percent of the class;*
  • Obtain recommendations from at least two individuals who are familiar with the applicant’s academic performance, work experience, and/or overall ability to participate in the program. (At least one recommendation letter must be obtained from a faculty member.)
  • Be certified by Stetson as being of good character and competent legal ability to perform as a Florida Supreme Court Fellow.
  • Obtain a letter of clearance as to character and fitness from the Florida Board of Bar Examiners.

State Supreme Court Application Requirements:

  • Students are selected for participation in this Externship program by the Florida Supreme Court. Application procedures and deadlines for this program do not always conform to other Stetson programs.
  • Find out more info about the FL Supreme Court Fellows program.
  • Contact [email protected] for more information regarding application procedures for this program.

   *This program is highly competitive, and students must possess a strong academic record to be considered for this program.