Frequently Asked Questions about Clinics

1. Do students enjoy clinics?

   Yes! Students often report that a clinic is one of their favorite experiences in law school. Working with the faculty and outside attorneys on real cases can be a great way to improve your professional skills and build working relationships in the legal community.

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2. Do many students take clinics?

   Yes – most of our students participate in at least one clinic, and many take several.

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3. Do I need to be committed to the area of law covered in a particular course?

   No – many students enroll in clinics in order to build their skills and to explore subject areas that they will not pursue immediately following graduation.

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4. Which courses are likely to give me the opportunity to appear at hearings?
   • Children’s Rights Clinic
   • Criminal Defense Clinic
   • Domestic Violence Clinic
   • Housing Clinic
   • Immigration Clinic
   • Juvenile Justice Clinic
   • Transnational Worker Rights Clinic
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5. Are any courses particularly suited for students interested in transactional and policy areas of law rather than in litigation?

   Yes. The Entrepreneurship and Community Development, Environmental, and Human Rights clinics involve work that is non-litigation in nature.

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6. May I enroll in a particular clinic more than once?

   A small number of students may enroll in a clinic for a second time as Advanced Clinic students, subject to instructor approval.

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7. Can I take more than one clinic at a time?

   It is possible but strongly discouraged because of the time commitment required, and advance approval of both instructors is required.

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8. Is there any limit to the number of clinics I can take for credit?

   No, although a student may count toward a JD degree no more than 21 hours of credit from internships, directed study, and non-law courses.

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9. Are clinics more work than classroom courses?

   Many students report that a clinical course requires as much time as a challenging classroom course.  The workload often varies during the semester, depending on the demands of particular projects.  Most clinics conclude prior to final exams.

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10. How do I enroll in a clinic?

    All clinics require an application.  Application information is available on the application information page.

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