Externships
Real-world Experience
The Externship Program reflects South Texas College of Law Houston’s mission by providing students with opportunities to apply their legal education in real-world settings while serving the community and the profession with distinction.
Through placements in courts, government agencies, corporate legal departments, hospitals, and public interest organizations, students earn academic credit while gaining practical experience, developing core lawyering skills, and building professional networks.
Each externship is carefully structured to ensure meaningful legal work, close supervision, and faculty-guided reflection — bridging legal theory and practice in support of the law school’s commitment to excellence, service, and access.
Whether you are a student seeking to expand your learning beyond the classroom or a legal professional interested in mentoring future attorneys, the Externship Program offers a collaborative and rewarding opportunity to engage in the development of the next generation of lawyers.
Externship Program
The Externship Program at South Texas College of Law Houston connects legal education with hands-on experience, allowing students to deepen their understanding of the law while contributing meaningfully to the work of courts, government agencies, corporate legal departments, and public interest organizations. Through supervised placements and faculty-guided reflection, students gain not only valuable practical skills, but also a stronger sense of professional identity and purpose.
Externships provide students with the opportunity to explore different areas of law, build confidence in real-world legal settings, and engage directly with legal professionals. At the same time, participating organizations benefit from the energy, intellect, and fresh perspective that our students bring to their placements. Under the guidance of experienced mentors, externs contribute to meaningful legal work while developing the judgment, professionalism, and communication skills essential to effective lawyering.
Students may earn academic credit through approved courses that combine rigorous legal work with structured reflection. Placements may be identified by students or proposed by host organizations, but all must be approved in advance to ensure they meet the program’s educational objectives. Opportunities may span local, national, or international settings, providing flexibility while maintaining the program’s high academic and professional standards.
If you’re a student ready to take your legal education beyond the classroom — or a legal professional interested in mentoring future lawyers — we invite you to explore the possibilities of the Externship Program.
Eligibility
To participate in the Externship Program, students must meet the following criteria:
Minimum Requirements
- Completion of at least 30 credit hours of law school coursework.
- Enrollment in the externship course for academic credit under faculty supervision.
Qualifying Placements
Students may earn 2, 3, or 4 credit hours for legal work performed in approved placements, including:
- Judicial chambers (state or federal)
- Government agencies
- Nonprofit organizations
- Hospitals
- Corporate legal departments (in-house counsel)
⚠️ Note: Private law firm placements do not qualify, unless the work is completed within a corporate counsel office.
Placements may be in-person, remote, or hybrid, depending on the needs of the organization and the nature of the work. Both unpaid and paid externships are eligible for academic credit, provided they meet the program’s educational and supervision requirements.
Term Availability
Externships are offered during the fall, spring, and summer semesters.
Credit and Graduation Limits
- Students may apply up to a total of 9 credit hours from all clinic and externship courses combined.
- Externships are graded on a pass/fail basis.
- They count toward the experiential learning requirement for graduation.
Requirements
To earn academic credit through the Externship Program, students must meet the following requirements, consistent with ABA standards and the law school’s commitment to experiential learning and professional development.
Time Commitment
Students must complete 45 hours of fieldwork for each credit hour earned:
2 credits = 90 hours
3 credits = 135 hours
4 credits = 180 hours
- A minimum of 4 hours per week should be spent on placement work during the length of the placement.
- Placements should span a minimum of 10 weeks during the fall and spring semesters, or 4 weeks during the summer.
- Work may begin up to two weeks before the semester starts, with faculty approval.
- Students are responsible for tracking and submitting timesheets documenting their hours.
Course Enrollment and Faculty Engagement
- First-time externs must enroll in the Professional Competency course.
- Students completing a second externship must enroll in the Advanced Professional Competency course.
- Students are also required to:
- Complete assigned coursework, including reflective writing, evaluations, and class participation.
- Attend meetings with externship faculty.
- Complete self-assessments and participate in an evaluation of the placement experience.
- Professional Expectations
While at their placement, students are expected to:
- Set and maintain a regular work schedule with the site supervisor’s approval and seek permission in advance for any necessary changes.
- Complete assigned work promptly and professionally, meeting deadlines and maintaining high standards.
- Follow instructions carefully, seek clarification when needed, and demonstrate professionalism, good judgment, and integrity at all times.
- Maintain client and organizational confidentiality in accordance with legal and ethical obligations.
Repeat Placements
- A second externship at the same placement may be permitted only with prior approval from the Associate Dean for Experiential Education.
- Supervisory Evaluation
- Site supervisors complete an end-of-semester evaluation of the student’s performance. This evaluation is considered in determining whether academic credit is awarded.
- Registration Limit
- Externships are graded on a pass/fail basis.
- Externship credit counts toward the experiential learning graduation requirement of 6 credits for those beginning law school before Fall 2025 and of 9 credits for those beginning Fall 2025 or later.
- Students may earn a maximum of 9 credit hours total from all externship and clinic courses combined.
Aimee Maldonado
Director of Academic Externships
amaldonado@stcl.edu
Aimee Maldonado serves as the Director of Academic Externships at South Texas College of Law Houston, where she also teaches Civil Trial Advocacy, Professional Competency, and Advanced Professional Competency as an Adjunct Faculty member. In her role as Director, she oversees all aspects of the law school’s externship program, working closely with students, faculty, and site supervisors to ensure a high-quality, practice-based learning experience that complements the academic curriculum.
Ms. Maldonado advises students on placement opportunities, provides individualized academic and professional guidance, and partners with legal organizations to develop meaningful externship experiences that prepare students for the realities of legal practice. She leads both the Professional Competency and Advanced Professional Competency courses, which are designed to help externs reflect on their professional development, build essential lawyering skills, and explore their roles within the legal system.
Since returning to her alma mater in 2015, Ms. Maldonado has been deeply engaged in advancing experiential education, helping students bridge the gap between law school and practice through structured supervision, thoughtful mentoring, and guided reflection.
For questions or more information, contact the Externship Program at externships@stcl.edu or 713 646-1763.
Keep scrolling for FAQ Section
Site Supervisor – Externships FAQ
The site supervisor must be a licensed attorney or judge in good standing. This ensures the student receives proper legal training, mentorship, and supervision in line with the externship program’s educational and professional standards.
Supervisors provide meaningful legal work, ongoing feedback, and mentorship. They also complete brief evaluations and coordinate with the law school’s externship faculty.
Students should be engaged in substantive legal work such as legal research, drafting, client interaction, case preparation, and observation of legal proceedings. Administrative tasks should be limited.
We highly recommend a structured orientation as it helps students understand the organization’s mission, expectations, and procedures. Clear communication from the start supports a productive externship.
We recommend regular check-ins to review assignments, provide feedback, and discuss professional development. Many supervisors meet weekly or biweekly.
- Supervising a student requires time and effort, and we want to make the experience as smooth and rewarding as possible.
- Faculty supervisors can:
- Offer guidance on externship structure, expectations, and best practices
- Clarify program requirements, including learning outcomes, supervision standards, and feedback expectations
- Serve as a point of contact if questions or concerns arise—whether related to a student’s performance, professionalism, or overall fit
- Collaborate with you, when needed, to address any challenges and ensure a positive, productive learning environment
- You should never feel that you have to navigate issues alone. Whether you’ve supervised dozens of externs or are welcoming your first, we’re here to support and partner with you every step of the way.
- We welcome the opportunity to partner with new externship hosts. Qualified placements include courts, government agencies, nonprofits, and corporate legal departments offering substantive legal work under the supervision of a licensed attorney in good standing.
- Private law firms are generally not eligible unless the placement is within a corporate counsel office.
- Host organizations must provide:
- Structured supervision and meaningful legal assignments
- A brief orientation, ongoing feedback, and a final evaluation
- A learning-focused environment that supports the student’s professional development
- To explore hosting an extern or share a placement opportunity, please contact the Externship Program at externships@stcl.edu. We would be happy to connect with you to discuss next steps.
Students – Externships FAQ
An externship is a for-credit opportunity that allows you to gain hands-on legal experience in a real-world setting. You’ll work under the supervision of a licensed attorney or judge while also completing academic requirements.
- You must have completed your first year of law school (1L) and be in good academic standing. Some placements may have additional prerequisites or require prior coursework in a relevant subject.
- If you are a Spring Start 1L you may still qualify for an externship, but you will have to submit a request for a waiver and obtain approval from the Associate Dean for Experiential Education.
You can choose from pre-approved sites in the externship database or propose a new placement for approval. All placements must meet ABA guidelines and receive approval from the Director of Academic Externships.
- Judicial chambers (state or federal), Government agencies, Nonprofit organizations, Hospitals and Corporate legal departments (in-house counsel)
- ⚠️ Note: Private law firm placements do not qualify, unless the work is done within a corporate counsel office.
- Your externship may be in-person, remote, or hybrid, depending on the organization’s needs and the nature of the work. Both unpaid and paid externships can qualify, as long as they meet the program’s educational and supervision requirements.
No, private law firm placements do not qualify, unless the work is done within a corporate counsel office.
No, externships with political campaigns do not qualify.
Yes. Whether paid or unpaid, your externship is eligible as long as it meets all other program requirements.
- You may earn 2, 3, or 4 academic credit hours for legal work performed at an approved externship placement. The number of credits corresponds to the total number of fieldwork hours you complete during the semester.
- Before registering, you should consult both your site supervisor and the Director of Academic Externships to ensure there will be sufficient work to meet the required hours and that the placement meets the program’s expectations. Once you register for a specific number of credits, you cannot change the credit amount after the add/drop deadline, so careful planning is essential.
- You must complete 45 hours of fieldwork for each credit hour earned, as follows:
- 2 credits = 90 hours3 credits = 135 hours4 credits = 180 hours
- You should work a minimum of 4 hours per week on-site/remotely at your placement.
- You should plan to spend a minimum of 10 weeks during the fall and spring semesters, or at least 4 weeks during the summer at your placement. These requirements ensure adequate time for meaningful learning, mentorship, and professional development.
- In addition to fieldwork, you must enroll in the appropriate externship course:
- Professional Competency for a first externship, or
- Advanced Professional Competency for a second or third externship.
- These courses are designed to support your professional development by encouraging reflection, connecting practical experiences to legal theory, and strengthening core competencies. Academic requirements typically include:
- Reflective journals or discussion posts analyzing your work, growth, and ethical considerations
- Goal-setting and self-assessment exercises at the beginning and end of the term
- Regular meetings with program faculty
- Maintaining and submitting time logs throughout the semester
Externships are graded on a pass/fail basis. To receive a passing grade, you must complete all required hours, submit assignments on time, participate in meetings with faculty, and demonstrate professionalism throughout the term. The focus is on your engagement, reflection, and growth—not on the specific legal tasks assigned.
Yes, you may participate in an academic externship during the fall, spring, or summer term.
Yes, you may complete more than one externship during law school. However, the total number of combined credits from externships and clinics is capped at 9 credit hours. We encourage you to plan ahead and speak with the Director of Academic Externships to ensure you stay within the credit limit while making the most of these experiential learning opportunities.
Yes, you may request to continue at the same placement for a second term. To do so, you must submit an application to spend a second term at the placement, explaining how the experience will differ from your first term and how it will continue to support your learning and professional development. This could include taking on new responsibilities, working with a different team, or focusing on a new area of law. The application must be reviewed and approved by the Associate Dean Experiential Education before you may enroll.
Externships may take place anywhere—in another city, out of state, abroad, or remotely—as long as the placement meets the program’s requirements and is approved in advance. Early planning is recommended.
Yes, the site supervisor must be a licensed attorney in good standing or a judge. This ensures that students receive appropriate legal training, mentorship, and supervision in accordance with the program’s academic and professional standards.
- Both clinics and externships offer valuable hands-on legal experience, but they differ in structure and setting.
- In a legal clinic, you work on real cases under the supervision of law school faculty—often representing clients directly with a student practice card. Clinics are in-house and operate as part of the law school’s curriculum.
- An externship takes place in an approved off-campus setting, such as a court, government agency, nonprofit, or in-house legal department. You are supervised by a licensed attorney or judge at the placement site and also participate in a companion academic course led by faculty.
- Both options help you build practical skills, but externships allow you to explore different practice areas and work environments outside the law school.
- Many students scaffold their experiential learning by combining simulation courses, clinics, and externships across multiple semesters. This approach allows you to build skills progressively, gain experience in diverse settings, and develop deeper expertise in a specific area of law, such as family law, criminal justice, or corporate law. It also helps you clarify your professional goals and become more practice-ready by graduation.
No, externships are not required for graduation. However, experiential learning is a graduation requirement, and an externship will count toward satisfying that requirement. Other qualifying options include legal clinics and approved simulation courses. Please note that if you began law school in Fall 2025 or later, one of your experiential learning course must a “direct service” clinic or externship. For guidance on how to meet your specific requirement, consult Academic Advising and the Student Handbook.
No, credit cannot be awarded retroactively for work you completed outside of the approved externship enrollment process. You must be formally enrolled in the externship course before beginning your placement in order to receive academic credit. This ensures the experience meets ABA requirements and is properly supervised by both the site supervisor and the externship program.
Yes, academic externships are credit-bearing courses, and you are required to pay the same tuition rate per credit hour as you would for any other course at the law school. The cost depends on the number of credits you register for and the term in which you enroll. Be sure to check with Student Accounts or Financial Aid if you have questions about your specific tuition charges.
Though the school does not currently provide any stipends for students participating in externships, there are organizations that award stipends and scholarships to students participating in public interest externships.
If you need accommodations, please contact the law school’s Student Support Services at studentsupport@stcl.edu as early as possible so they can work with you to try to ensure appropriate accommodations. We are committed to supporting all students in accessing meaningful and equitable externship experiences.
