SCHOOL OF LAW

Frequently Asked Questions about Clinics and Internships

Do students enjoy clinics and internships?

Yes. Students often report that a clinic or internship is one of the most challenging and valuable educational experiences in law school. Working with the clinical faculty and experienced outside attorneys on real cases is very rewarding, an excellent way to build your lawyering skills, and a good path to developing working relationships in the legal community.

Do many students take clinics and internships?

Yes. More than half the students at UT Law participate in at least one clinic or internship before graduating.

Which courses will accept students after two semesters of law school?

• Actual Innocence Clinic
• Capital Punishment Clinic
• Community Development Clinic
• Environmental Clinic
• Human Rights Clinic
• Immigration Clinic
• Legislative Lawyering Clinic
• Mediation Clinic
• National Security Clinic
• Supreme Court Clinic
• Transnational Worker Rights Clinic
• All of the internship programs

Do I need to have a career commitment to the area of law covered in a particular course in order to enroll?

No. Many students enroll in clinics and internships to build their skills as lawyers and to explore subject areas that they will not pursue immediately following graduation.

Which courses are likely to give me the opportunity to appear in court?

• Children’s Rights Clinic
• Immigration Clinic
• Criminal Defense Clinic
• Juvenile Justice Clinic
• Domestic Violence Clinic
• Housing Clinic
• Transnational Worker Rights Clinic
• Prosecution Internship (if you have 43 credit hours)

Are any courses particularly suited for students who are interested in transactional areas of law rather than in litigation?

Yes. The Community Development, Environmental, Human Rights, Legislative Lawyering and Mediation clinics involve non-litigation work. In addition, some internships offer placements in non-litigation settings.

May I enroll in a particular clinic or internship more than once?

A small number of students each semester may enroll in a clinic for a second time as an Advanced Clinic student, subject to the instructor’s approval. It is not possible to enroll in a single internship program more than once.

Can I take more than one clinic or internship at a time?

It is possible, but discouraged because of the time commitment required.

Is there any limit to the number of clinics and internships I can take for credit?

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

Can I get credit for doing an internship outside Austin in the summer?

The Access to Justice, Judicial, and International Internship programs provide credit for interning outside Austin under specific approved circumstances. The other programs require a placement in or near Austin.

Do I have to pay tuition for an internship?

Yes. An academic internship is considered a course and you must register for it and pay tuition during the semester of your internship.

Are clinics and internships more work than classroom courses?

Many students report that a clinic or internship requires at least as much time as a challenging classroom course. The workload often fluctuates during the semester, depending on the demands of particular projects. Most clinics and internships do conclude prior to final exams.

How do I enroll in a clinic or internship?

All clinics and internships require an application, which is available on each course homepage. The instructor must approve your application before you will be permitted to register.