If you want an idea of what an internship is like, or what places a student can intern, look at other students' internships by taking a look at our internship profiles!
I. General Information
The Internship Coordinator for the Department is Professor Alan Gaitenby.
A Legal Studies internship is a field-based learning experience in a law-related organization, office, or government agency that provides a public service. According to University regulations, students who have completed 45 credits and have a GPA of 2.0 or higher are eligible to register for an internship. There may be additional requirements for specific Legal Studies internships.
The requirements for a Legal Studies internship are:
- Work under the supervision of an attorney if possible
- Work at a law-related site that has a public interest component (generally this means not working with private attorneys)
- Work one to three days per week at the internship site
If you choose to participate in an internship, you will register for Legal 298, Practicum. Legal 298 is not graded; it is a Pass/Fail course. Legal 298 does not count toward your Legal Studies requirements but does count as graduation credits.
You may register for a maximum of 15 internship credits, which may be spread out over more than one semester. The number of credits you get depends on the amount of time you spend working at the internship. Generally, you will need to spend one full day per week for 14 weeks for 3 credits; 2 days for 6 credits; 3 days for 9 credits. We don’t usually approve any one internship for more than 9 credits. You may not be paid for the work you perform at your internship.
Students may do internships during the academic year or over the summer. If you choose to do a summer internship and want to receive academic credit, you must register for Legal 298 through the Division of Continuing Education and pay for the credits. You will need a faculty sponsor for your internship.
II. How to Find an Internship
A. The Legal Studies major sponsors the following internship:
Judicial Internship Program. This is an opportunity to spend time observing and discussing court proceedings with Judge Judd Carhart and other Superior Court judges who hear cases in Springfield, Northampton, and Greenfield. The prerequisite is Judge Carhart’s course, Due Process in Criminal Trial (Legal 391U). After you have completed this course, you need to apply for the internship. Judge Carhart makes the final selection of students; preference is given to Legal Studies majors. Find application instructions here.
B. Other Law Related Internships
Legal Studies students have done internships at local agencies which are part of the state criminal justice system. These include * Department of Youth Services * District Attorney’s Office Victim Witness Program * Hampshire County Jail * Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office * Public Defender’s Office * Mayor’s Office on Consumer Protection * YWCA SafePlan * Safe Passages * Eastern Hampshire County District Court
Information about these internships, including the name of the contact person, is located on the Bulletin Board next to Thompson 232.
Once you have identified an internship that looks interesting, contact the internship supervisor and see what you need to do to apply. This will probably involve a personal interview. If you are selected, ask the internship supervisor to send us confirmation that you have been accepted.
C. Legal Studies Faculty
Any faculty member in the Department may sponsor an internship. If you are interested in an internship related to the area of research of a faculty member, talk to that faculty member directly.
D. UMass Career Services
Career Services is another resource for finding internships. Their website is http://www.umass.edu/careers/internships-and-co-ops. You can also search through Handshake.
E. Family connections, neighbors, friends
Another method of finding an internship is through your own connections. For instance, if you know a lawyer who you think it might be interesting to work with, ask that person if s/he would be willing to supervise you. If the lawyer agrees, ask him/her to write up a description of what you will be doing. Then you need to talk to the Internship coordinator and get approval to proceed with the internship.
III. Steps to Take to Find an Internship
A. Begin well in advance of starting the internship. You will need to work with an internship site, the departmental contact, and Career Services.
B. Find the internship you want to do.
C. Find a faculty supervisor.
D. Plan your academic expectations for the semester. Clarify how many hours and credits of work to be done.
E. Submit your contract (to either Dr. Gaitenby directly, or to Career Services via Handshake). Enroll in the appropriate course.
F. Complete the work.
For your reference:
