Program Eligibility

Externships are available to second and third year Georgia State University law students on a limited basis (guest students are ineligible to participate in this program) and may require completion of specific courses for enrollment. All applicants must have completed all first year required coursework.

Students must also have a grade point average of at least 73.0 to apply and participate in the program. Some agencies, however, may require a higher class standing. First year students should use their mid-year grades as a guide for applying, however, official GPA will be verified when spring grades become available. Please check individual program descriptions (current opportunities) for other requirements.

Program Guidelines

The minimum requirement is that externship students work ten (10) hours a week each week in the semester. Most students work more than the minimum. Many find that they need and/or want to work more in order to make the externship experience a valuable one. If you are heavily involved in numerous activities, we urge you to think about whether or you can handle the time commitment an externship involves.

All externships require an academic (classroom) component. All students who have not previously taken an externship must attend a classroom component at the law school. Check the class schedule for the day and time of the class meeting at GSU. Additionally, some externships require students to participate in seminars conducted by the site (check the program descriptions under current opportunities). Classes held at the externship site will be arranged by the externship supervisor. Hours spent in the academic component do count toward the minimum weekly hours required for each externship.

The externship placement cycle, which includes accepting applications; interviewing students; and selecting students, occurs a semester in advance of the actual externship.

Applications for externship openings are traditionally accepted beginning mid September for spring semester placements and late February for fall semester placements. Applications are not accepted for summer semester.

Students may apply to a maximum of three (3) externships. A separate externship application along with a resume is required for each agency. In some instances, a writing sample may also be necessary. Applications may be obtained from the Externship Program office in room 326 of the Urban Life Building during the externship placement cycle or on-line on the Application & Instructions page.

Students may participate in a total of two semesters of externship course work. Two externships may not be taken simultaneously. Students receive three (3) credit hours for each externship, not to exceed six (6) credits. Grades for externships are assigned on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis.