student handbook - Cumberland School of Law - Samford University

5
Academic Programs
Externships: Skills honed in the classroom and cocurricular competition come into sharper focus when put into
practice in real legal workplaces. Through Cumberland's extensive externship program, second- and third-year students
may earn academic credit for work performed in a wide range of legal settings. Students may earn two to six credits
while developing skills, making important career connections and sampling different types of legal jobs. Students may
receive academic credit for up to two externship placements, including Judicial Observation. Because placements are
often with governmental bodies or departments, legal aid or public interest organizations, students also provide a
valuable community service. Students who participate in externships are encouraged to continue their work at the
conclusion of their academic experience by volunteering through the Cumberland Public Interest Project. Externships
typically involve 120 hours on the job, plus an additional hour each week in the classroom. Examples of common
externships are shown below.
Students are limited to participation in two of the following courses. The combination of Law 906 or Law 907 with
an externship counts as one course.
Law 905 Judicial Observation 1 hour P/F credit
Students work within the office of a state court judge. Students are required to work a minimum of 56 hours
and submit the following written work: a statement of goals at the beginning of the semester, a weekly report
of hours with narrative description of activities, a research paper and a reflection essay.
Law 906 Externship I 1 hour graded credit
Students enrolled in any externship must also enroll in this class component. This externship class meets one
hour each week. This class addresses substantive topics: negotiation, trial and other lawyering skills;
professionalism and ethical issues; communication with supervisors, clients and others; workplace problems;
and other issues applicable to all externs. Some classes have breakout sessions to address specific topics
relevant to particular types of placements. Students enrolled in the externship class submit the following written
work: a statement of goals at the beginning of the semester, a weekly report of hours with narrative description
of activities, a research paper, a reflection essay and other work assigned by the instructor.
Law 907 Externship II 1 hour graded credit
This class component is required if a student chooses to enroll in a second externship. The class has the same
requirements as Externship I.
Law 908 Judicial Externship I 2 hours P/F credit
Students work with a federal judge. Membership on American Journal of Trial Advocacy or Law Review or other
evidence of superior writing skills is required. Students must work a minimum of 120 hours.
Law 909 Judicial Externship II 2 hours P/F credit
Second semester of Judicial Externship I.
Law 910 Corporate Externship I 2 hours P/F credit
Students work in a corporate legal office. Students must work a minimum of 120 hours.
Law 911 Corporate Externship II 2 hours P/F credit
Second semester of Corporate Externship I.
Law 912 Litigation Externship I 2 hours P/F credit
Students work in a litigation office such as the District Attorney's Office, Public Defender's Office, Legal Aid
Society or Legal Services of Metro Birmingham. Students must be certified under the Alabama Rule for Legal
Internship and have completed Basic Skills in Trial Advocacy. Students must work a minimum of 120 hours.
Law 913 Litigation Externship II 2 hours P/F credit
Second semester of Litigation Externship I.