Frequently Asked Questions about Internships

1. Why should I do an internship?

   Students often report that an internship is one of their favorite experiences in law school. Working with the faculty and outside attorneys and judges can be a great way to gain experience, develop your professional skills, and build working relationships in the legal community.

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2. Do many students take internships?

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

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3. Is any internship likely to give me the opportunity to appear at hearings?

   Prosecution Internship (if you have 43 credit hours)

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4. Are any courses recommended for students interested in transactional and policy work rather than in litigation?

   Yes. Students work in non-litigation placements in many internship courses.

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5. May I enroll in a particular internship more than once?

   No, although the Federal Public Defender Internship and the U.S. Attorney Internship require a two-semester commitment.

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6. Can I take more than one internship at a time, and is there a limit on how many I can take?

   There is no limit to the number of internship courses a student can take, although a student may count toward a J.D. degree no more than 21 hours of credit combined from internships, directed study, and non-law courses. It is possible to take more than one internship at a time but it is discouraged because of the time commitment required.

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7. Do I have to pay tuition for an internship?

   Yes, an internship is treated the same as any other course for tuition and financial aid purposes.

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8. When do internships begin and end?

   Students generally begin internships at the beginning of the semester and conclude prior to final exams.

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9. Are there any full-time internships during the academic year?

   Yes. There are two full-time internships offered for 10 credits: the Semester in Practice Internship and the Legislative Internship. The Legislative Internship is offered as a 4-credit course and an optional 6-credit supplement. The supplement is available only during the regular session of the Texas Legislature (spring semester in odd-numbered years) and is only available for in-person work.

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10. How do I enroll in an internship?

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

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