Semester-In-Practice

The School of Law offers an innovative Semester-In-Practice Program which enables students to train full-time—either in one of our pre-established local placements or in a new placement (outside of the RI/MA area) of their choosing that is approved by the Externship Director and the Associate Dean for Experiential Education.

The DC Semester-In-Practice and the New York Pro Bono Scholars Program both qualify as Semester-In-Practice Programs. If students would like to do a Semester-In-Practice, but not through either of those programs, then students must first apply to one of the Clinical Externship Programs: Corporate Counsel, Environmental & Land Use, Government, Judicial, Prosecution, or Public Interest, and then arrange a full-time, Semester-In-Practice placement that is approved by the Externship Director of that program and the Associate Dean for Experiential Education. Students may earn up to 10-12 ungraded fieldwork credits and 2 graded credits for the co-requisite seminar. Students who are in placements beyond commuting distance to RWU may participate in the seminar via Zoom with permission of the Externship Director. 

The Semester-In-Practice is a capstone, full-immersion experience.  Students work full-time under the supervision of a practicing attorney for an entire semester.  The opportunity for students to craft their own remote placements provides the added benefit of allowing students to work not only in the area of practice they wish to pursue upon graduation but also in the geographic area where they plan to live. 

If you have any questions about this option, or want to discuss your options, please contact:

Laurie Barron
Clinical Professor of Law
Director of Clinical Externships
Director of Feinstein Center for Pro Bono and Experiential Education
lbarron@rwu.edu
(401) 254-4653

Laurie Barron

Laurie Barron

Clinical Professor of LawDirector of Clinical ExternshipsDirector, Feinstein Center for Pro Bono & Experiential Education

Laurie Barron is the Director Feinstein Center for Pro Bono & Experiential Education. She received a B.A. from Yale University, a J.D. from New York University School of Law, and an M.S.W. from New York University School of Social Work. Her previous work includes representing children at the Juvenile Rights

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Close Course Type Descriptions

Course Types

We have classified RWU Law classes under the following headers. One of the following course types will be attached to each course which will allow students to narrow down their search while looking for classes.

Core Course

Students in the first and second year are required to take classes covering the following aspects of the law—contracts, torts, property, criminal law, civil procedure, and constitutional law, evidence, and professional responsibility.  Along with these aspects, the core curriculum will develop legal reasoning skills.

Elective

After finishing the core curriculum the remaining coursework toward the degree is completed through upper level elective courses.  Students can choose courses that peak their interests or courses that go along with the track they are following.

Seminar

Seminars are classes where teachers and small groups of students focus on a specific topic and the students complete a substantial research paper.

Clinics/Externships

Inhouse Clinics and Clinical Externships legal education is law school training in which students participate in client representation under the supervision of a practicing attorney or law professor.  RWU Law's Clinical Programs offer unique and effective learning opportunities and the opportunity for practical experience while still in law school.