Welcome to the Externship Program: Putting Theory into Practice

The Externship Program at Georgia State University College of Law operates on the premise that the potential for learning outside of the law school is tremendous. The kinds of experiences available to our students in the rich metropolitan Atlanta legal community far surpass the opportunities of even the most expansive in-house clinical programs. Students interested in acquiring experience in almost any area of expertise may do so, including banking and securities law, criminal law, employment law, civil rights law, bankruptcy, and corporate law.  In addition, the Externship Program includes a number of judicial clerkship placements with state and federal judges throughout the Atlanta area.

Students who are selected to participate in the program gain both academic credit and the opportunity to apply the theoretical knowledge gained in the classroom to real life legal problems. Students can expect to strengthen their practical skills, gain greater insight into the operation of the legal system, and develop a heightened sense of professional responsibility.  To facilitate this development, student externs are assigned to work with attorneys or judges who serve as mentors throughout the externship experience.  Experience gained in the field is supplemented by an academic component taught by GSU faculty, who monitor and meet with each student individually over the course of the semester.

Overall, the mission of our program is to make every student extern better prepared to meet the professional, emotional, and ethical demands of the legal profession when they graduate.