Whether representing underprivileged citizens in housing court, helping overturn a wrongful conviction, arguing for a client in an unemployment compensation case, or providing pro bono support to an immigrant applying for citizenship, you will have opportunities to gain practical skills under the guidance of top legal practitioners.

We offer three types of experiential courses—clinics and practicums, externships, and simulations. Each integrates doctrine, theory, skills, and legal ethics. Students receive ample professional feedback and are also asked to self-evaluate. For JD students, each course counts toward the ABA’s 6-credit experiential learning requirement.

Other opportunities to gain experience, which do not count towards the experiential learning requirement, include serving on the editorial board of one of our six law journals, participating in moot court competitions, or observing oral arguments at one of the state and federal courts in Greater Boston. Many international students are eligible to participate in optional practical training upon completion of their degree, an ideal option for those seeking to gain hands-on experience in the US legal market.

A BU Law student sits for an interview in the atrium of the law complex.

BU Law Clinics & Practicums

Ten Boston University School of Law students share the stories of how they are making an impact in their BU Law Clinics and Practicums.

Watch Video

Clinics & Practicums

Gain hands-on experience working with real clients on current cases or policy matters. JD students are guaranteed at least one clinical experience in their second or third year.

View All
4 students engaged with someone off camera in LLM classroom at BU Law

Experiential Learning for Graduate Students

Graduate & International Programs provides a variety of experiential learning opportunities tailored to the needs of students in our LLM and master's degree programs.

Learn More

Related Stories

Faculty

An Advocate for BU Law’s Externship Program

Professor Kate Devlin Joyce’s passion for teaching drives her work to enrich and expand experiential learning opportunities.

Shared from
The Record
Tracy Sierra ('09)
Books

Protecting One’s Castle

Tracy Sierra (’09) incorporates lessons from her legal career in her debut thriller novel.

Shared from
The Record
Civil Litigation and Justice Program

Expanded Experiential Education Offerings

Two new clinics led by Jade Brown and Madeline Meth have launched in the Boston University Civil Litigation & Justice Program.

Shared from
The Record
McKenzi Baker ('21)
Equity

Bringing Ideas to Life

An entrepreneurial spirit and a helping heart lead McKenzi Baker—and her clients—to realize their dreams.

Shared from
The Record
Keenan Hunt-Stone ('24)
Student Life

A Switchback toward Progress

Keenan Hunt-Stone (’24) sees the law as his best path forward for impactful change.

Shared from
The Record
Detail of a mosaic quilt
Critical Race Theory

New Practicum Builds on Antiracism Efforts at BU Law

Students work on racial justice projects with community partners in experiential course taught by Caitlin Glass.

Shared from
The Record
Collage of images: Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson delivering the BU Law commencement address; portrait of Robert Volk; Jaimee Francis ('24) and Brianna Jordan ('24); Barbara Jones, dean of the School of Social Work and Angela Onwuachi-Willig, dean of the School of Law grabbing a selfie with BU President Melissa Gilliam
BU Law News

Reflecting on 2023

Key moments from this year.

Shared from
The Record
Read More