JD Semester-in-Practice
An Immersive, High-Credit Experience Heading link
Semester-in-Practice is a high-credit JD externship program that offers UIC Law students the opportunity to participate in immersive lawyering experiences at approved externship sites in select locations.
While the JD Externship Program enables students to work as part-time legal externs in addition to their normal semester course load, Semester-in-Practice student externs are able to complete semester requirements while capitalizing on unique opportunities to interact with the legal community in their placement location. The Semester-in-Practice allows students to take advantage of professional development activities otherwise unavailable in the Chicago area. While working full time at an approved externship placement, student externs complete a co-requisite course that provides complementary training and faculty supervision and fulfills their academic credits for an entire semester (12-13 credits during fall/spring semesters; 9 credits during summer).
Semester-in-Practice launched in Spring 2023 with placements in Springfield, Illinois, with plans to expand the program to Washington, D.C.
For details about upcoming Semester-in-Practice opportunities, contact Professor Megan Bess at mbess@uic.edu.
Download Semester-In-Practice Overview
Applying for the JD Semester-in-Practice Heading link
Students can apply to participate in Semester-in-Practice during the second half of their law school experience (2L2s or above). Eligible students must be in good academic standing and willing to commit to living and working full time in the program’s externship location.
The Semester-in-Practice Committee will interview applicants and select students for the program based on qualifications, interest, and availability. Students selected for the program are matched with externship placements.
Participants enroll in two co-requisite Semester-in-Practice courses: a fieldwork course and a seminar. The complementary seminar component will be taught by a local attorney and will focus on professional development, ethics, and issues related to practice in the program location.
Semester-in-Practice Placements Heading link
Spring 2023: Springfield, Illinois
As the center of our state government, Springfield provides unique opportunities for students to experience government service and public lawyering. Aligned with the legislative session, this placement location allows students to experience firsthand the lawmaking process from the perspective of different governmental and non-profit entities. Placement opportunities will include government agencies, the legislature, and one of Springfield’s best-known non-profit organizations.