Frequently asked
questions on the Externship program
1. Am I required to take
the Externship Course?
No. The Externship Course is an elective, however, it does qualify
as a Skills Course.
2. What happens if I cannot find an
Externship Site on the Site List that is of interest to me?
In these circumstances, the Externship Director will assist
you in finding a suitable Externship Site. You should schedule
a meeting with the Externship Director.
3. What if I locate an Externship Site
not on the Site List? May I extern at this proposed Site?
You should draft a one (1) page proposal describing the proposed
Site, identifying the Site Supervisor and outlining the Site Supervisor's
plans to help you meet the Externship Course requirements. The
proposal should be submitted to the Externship Director for approval
by the Externship Director at least 30 days prior to the start
of the registration period for the semester during which the externship
is to be completed.
4. Since I am able to apply up to six
(6) hours of Externship Credit toward graduation, may I extern
at the same site more than once?
No, you may extern at an approved Site only one time unless
there is a very rare and unusual circumstance which might necessitate
a second externship at the same Site. The Externship Director,
after review, must give you permission to extern more than once
at the same Site.
5. May I get paid for externing at the
Site?
No. Externs may not be compensated by the Site during the time
that they are completing their externship. Should you be asked
by your Site Supervisor to remain at the Site after the externship
hours have been completed and receive compensation from the Site,
you must obtain permission from the Externship Director before
accepting the offer.
6. What are the expenses associated
with the Externship Course?
You must register for the Externship Course and pay the required
Charleston School of Law tuition. Other expenses may include transportation
costs to and from the externship site. Certain externships such
as the Indigent Defense Externship and the Seamen's Church Institute
Externships may require you to live outside of the Charleston
area, and there may be allowances for room and board provided
by the School or the Site.
