National & International Externships
During the summer, WCL students can gain legal experience through an externship across the country or around the world.
The Seminar
Students interested in participating in a national or international externship enroll in a Remote Externship Seminar.
Students will need to reserve 2 hours and 45 minutes each week to attend this live online class in a quiet space where they can hear and speak with a headset. (Some of the class may be asynchronous but students should set aside the full amount of time). The remote externship seminar begins at 6 pm. The class may meet during the workday for some students and in the evening for others. Enrollment and Attendance is MANDATORY for all students planning to extern outside of the Washington DC Metro Area this summer.
Long Distance students disperse to their externship sites in time to begin working at the start of the summer academic session (typically the last week of May). Students normally work full-time for 7-10 weeks.
You may want to take advantage of this program if you have decided to return home to be with family or friends for the summer or you have made contact with a specific organization in another state. If you would like to extern in a state outside of DC, Maryland and Virginia, our Long Distance Program is for you!
Students cannot participate in a Study Abroad program and earn externship credit as students may only earn a total of seven credits over the summer semester.
Housing & Travel
Students are responsible for their own housing and travel arrangements. Some externship employers may provide housing or assistance in locating housing.
International Placements
We strongly encourage students to come into our office and speak with the Externship Program staff if they are thinking of doing an international externship or in the process of finding an opportunity.
University approval required for travel
Once you have accepted an offer for an international placement, please fill out the approval forms below and return them to the Externship Office. If approved by the Externship Office, your forms, along with a program description, and a copy of the country's risk assessment, will be submitted for approval to the Office of the Dean, and to the Office of the Provost. You will not be permitted to receive academic credit for an international externship unless you have received approval for international travel from the University. All externships must be approved by the University and the law school. Placements deemed unsafe will not be permitted.
Approval Forms
Travel Health Insurance
Upon approval, the University will provide travel health insurance. For more information on the travel insurance coverage provided, please visit www.american.edu/finance/rmehs/inttravel.cfm/.
Visa Requirements
It is the student’s responsibility to get a visa. We recommend students to start the process early and plan ahead, because the visa process has tightened considerably.