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Semester-in-Practice Program

Fall '09 SiP participant Ian Hunter and Barney Frank.

Through the Semester-in-Practice Program, a limited number of students may spend a semester working full-time for credit at an externship placement outside of Boston. The Program is designed for students who want an intensive hands-on experience - at an opportunity not otherwise available in Boston - furthering specific career and academic goals.

Acceptance to the Program is competitive. In addition to securing an externship at a placement organization, students must complete a separate BU Law application that will be evaluated by a three-member faculty Application Committee. Due to the intensive time involved in pursuing opportunities and applying to the Program, interested students should first meet with an advisor to discuss their qualifications and whether their externship proposal is likely to be approved by the Application Committee.

Placements - Four Unique Opportunities

The Semester-in-Practice Program offers four options:

• Human Rights Externship (Geneva) - Through the Human Rights Externship, students may spend a semester working in Geneva for a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) committed to the protection of human rights.
• Government Lawyering in Washington, D.C. - Students in the Government Lawyering Externship may spend a semester working at a government office in Washington. Examples include opportunities with the staff of a Congressional committee or subcommittee, in the legal office of an administrative agency, or with a federal board/commission.
• Death Penalty Externship - Students participating in the Death Penalty Externship may work at the Southern Center for Human Rights in Atlanta, Georgia.
• Independent Proposal Externship - Under this fourth option, students may develop their own proposal for a full-time externship outside of Boston.

The Program is offered fall and spring.

Credits and Hours

Students earn 12 credits: 10 ungraded credits for working full-time at the field placement, plus 2 graded credits for completing readings, writing a research paper, and for submitting weekly journals.

Prerequisites

While there are no formal prerequisites, participating students must have a coursework background that supports their fieldwork. Having a strong coursework background helps students compete for externships, maximizes the externship experience, and demonstrates to the faculty committee reviewing applications that a student has made a commitment to the type of law practiced at the placement organization. Therefore, although the Program is formally open to 2Ls and 3Ls alike, it is contemplated that most participating students will be 3Ls who during their 2L year took classes in preparation for their semester away. For a list of class recommendations, please click here.