Externships provide students the opportunity to learn and apply the law outside of the classroom while earning academic credit. All students entering Cleveland State University College of Law in Fall 2016 or after are required to complete 6 credits of experiential skills coursework. Students must complete at least 3-credits in a clinic or externship. To fulfill the 6 total experiential skills credits required by the ABA, the additional 3 credits may be in a clinic, externship, or specially designated experiential simulation course. Externships are permitted at government agencies, courts, non-profit organizations, and corporate counsel offices.

In an externship, students work in settings where, under the close supervision of an attorney or judge, they contribute to the ongoing work of the office through projects, assignments, and observation. Two key aspects of every externship are close supervision by and feedback from the externship site supervisor, and guided reflection and discussion of how legal studies are applied in practice through the classroom component of the program. The desired outcome of every externship experience is an enhanced professional skills set and an expanded understanding of one's professional responsibilities in the legal and professional community.

For more information about the Externship Program, please read the Externship Program Handbook. If you have additional questions about the program generally, please contact Prof. Carole Heyward, c.heywardnull@csuohio.nulledu or 216.687.5508.

If you have questions about how to apply for an externship, please contact the Office of Student and Career Services, careernull@law.csuohio.nulledu.