Experiential Learning Externship Program
Wilmington University School of Law recognizes the importance of experiential learning in creating opportunities for students to develop practical knowledge, professional skills, and professional identity through hands-on experience in externship programs. WilmU Law offers externships with a multitude of organizations including the judiciary, non-profit, private and business institutions. Externships allow students to gain credits for work performed in a legal setting outside of the classroom and attendance at a weekly seminar.
Eligibility
Eligibility for externships is limited to 2L and 3L J.D. students in good standing and have successfully completed Professional Responsibility prior to the start of the externship. Full-time externships will only be approved in a student's final year.
Application Process
In the fall of their 2L semester (3L for part-time), students can apply for approved externships taking place the following spring by submitting the Externship Application. All Externship Applications must be approved by the Associate Dean for Experiential Learning. Once the Externship Application has been approved and a student has been placed in an externship, that student may not withdraw from the externship. Students may seek approval for externship opportunities at sites not previously approved by WilmU Law by submitting the Proposed Externship Application. The proposed host organization must agree to comply with WilmU Law’s host organization approval process before a Proposed Externship Application can be approved by the Associate Dean for Experiential Learning.
Credit Hours for Externship
Students may take at least six (6) up to eighteen (18) credits of Externship credits, depending on other non-classroom courses. All externship courses include a classroom component. Students are graded on a pass/fail grade basis.
Academic credit earned for externships count as non-classroom credits. Students who have taken clinics, supervised research/independent study, co-curricular activities for credit, or plan to do so following an externship, must ensure that they will have the necessary credits to graduate if they enroll in an externship. Of 86 law school credits required to graduate, no more than 22 may be non-classroom credits.
Credit/Weekly Average Hour Requirements
For each credit that a student registers, all hours must be worked during the semester. Additionally, you are expected to work through the 14-week semester, even if you can complete your required hours earlier. Students should speak with the site supervisor to determine how much work they will be able to provide during the semester. Keep in mind that you may not change your credits after drop/add, so be realistic as to how much you can work.
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Credit Hours
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Fall and Spring Semesters
(Based on 14 weeks)
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Summer
(Based on 7 weeks)
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3 credits
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9.75 hours/week
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135 total hours
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19.50 hours/week
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135 total hours
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4 credits
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13.00 hours/week
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180 total hours
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22.50 hours/week
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180 total hours
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5 credits
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16.25 hours/week
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225 total hours
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25.75 hours/week
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225 total hours
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6 credits
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19.50 hours/week
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270 total hours
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29.00 hours/week
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270 total hours
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7 credits
|
22.50 hours/week
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315 total hours
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Not Applicable
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Not Applicable
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8 credits
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25.75 hours/week
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360 total hours
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Not Applicable
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Not Applicable
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9 credits
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29.00 hours/week
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405 total hours
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Not Applicable
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Not Applicable
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10 credits
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32.25 hours/week
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450 total hours
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Not Applicable
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Not Applicable
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11 credits
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35.50 hours/week
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485 total hours
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Not Applicable
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Not Applicable
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12 credits
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38.75 hours/week
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540 total hours
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Not Applicable
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Not Applicable
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