Syracuse Law: Gaining Experiential Credits Through Employment

can you get experiental credits for your job syracuse law

Experiential learning credits are college credits awarded based on alternative learning experiences. Students at Syracuse Law can gain these credits through a variety of experiential education opportunities, including externships, pro bono legal work, and the LondonEx program. The Externship Program allows students to earn credits while gaining legal experience in real office settings, such as private firms, corporations, and government offices. Students can also participate in the College's Pro Bono Recognition Program, which involves completing at least 50 hours of pro bono legal work under the supervision of a licensed attorney. Additionally, Syracuse University College of Law offers the LondonEx program, a seven-week international summer externship in London, where students gain exposure to clients and professionals and learn about the fundamental tenets of English law.

Characteristics Values
Experiential learning credits Awarded based on alternative learning experiences
Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) A highly individualized process that offers the opportunity to petition for college credit based on knowledge, training, and skills learned outside of a traditional academic setting
Maximum transfer credits 90 credits of transfer credit or a combination of transfer credit and any other credit (e.g., AP exams, experiential learning)
Externship opportunities Offered with firms, organizations, judges, and governmental agencies, both locally and nationally
Summer program LondonEx program offered in London for over 45 years
Credit eligibility Speak with Dafni Kiritsis, Director of Externships and Career Services
Pro Bono Recognition Program Recognizes students who have completed at least 50 hours of pro bono legal work under the supervision of a licensed attorney

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Experiential learning credits for Syracuse Law students

Experiential learning credits are college credits awarded based on alternative learning experiences. Syracuse Law offers a variety of opportunities for students to earn these credits through externships, clinics, and internships.

The Externship Program allows students to earn academic credits while gaining legal experience in real office settings. Placements can include private firms, corporations, government offices, public interest/legal aid offices, and judicial placements. Syracuse Law offers a broad range of externship opportunities with firms, organizations, judges, and governmental agencies, both locally and nationally. For example, the LondonEx program, offered every summer, emphasizes a comparative law immersion, where students can learn the fundamentals of English law, legal institutions, court structure, and procedure. Students are graded on a pass/fail basis for the 5-credit externship and on the Alternative Grading Scale for the 1-credit seminar.

Additionally, students can participate in the College's Pro Bono Recognition Program, which recognizes students who have completed at least 50 hours of pro bono legal work under the supervision of a licensed attorney. This work must be done without expecting any remuneration or academic credit and must involve legal services for persons of limited means.

To determine eligibility for experiential learning credits, students should work with their academic advisor. Once identified as a good candidate, the advisor will recommend enrolling in a prior learning assessment credit-bearing course.

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The Externship Program

Through the Externship Program, students can work with attorneys to gain hands-on experience and develop their research, writing, and legal analysis skills. They will also learn to adapt to the culture and expectations of a law work environment and build professional networks that will be beneficial for their future legal careers. The program provides flexibility, allowing students to tailor their experiences to align with their specific career goals.

The externships can be in private firms, corporations, government offices, public interest/legal aid offices, judicial placements, or non-traditional placements. All work must be carried out under the direct supervision of an attorney and is generally for one academic semester or over the summer. Placements may be paid or unpaid and can be in-person or remote.

Syracuse Law also offers the prestigious LondonEx program, emphasizing comparative law immersion. Through LondonEx, students can learn the fundamental principles of English law, including institutions, professions, court structure, procedure, and substantive law. This program is offered every summer for four credits.

Students can work with the Office of Career Services to find placements that align with their interests and aspirations. The Orange Law network also plays a crucial role in helping to deliver these opportunities. Employers can submit externship opportunities through the 12Twenty CSM platform, and they are encouraged to register and get involved in shaping the legal education of tomorrow's lawyers.

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LondonEx externship program

The LondonEx externship program is a seven-week international summer program offered by Syracuse University College of Law. It is one of the longest-running externship programs in the country, having been offered for over 45 years. The program emphasizes a comparative law immersion, allowing students to learn the fundamental tenets of English law, including institutions, professions, court structure, procedure, and substantive law.

During the program, students gain exposure to clients and partner with professionals for personalized mentoring. They also enjoy cultural opportunities in London, one of the world's most dynamic cities. The program includes rigorous coursework and hands-on learning experiences, cultivating students' abilities to pursue a career in international law. Placements have included the AIRE Centre, Withers Worldwide LLP, Crown Court judges, and various distinguished barristers and solicitors in London.

LondonEx is offered every summer for 4 or 5 credits. Students are graded on a pass/fail basis for the externship and on the Alternative Grading Scale for the seminar. The application deadline is February 15, with a $50 application fee. Any full-time or part-time student from an ABA-approved law school with a GPA of 2.5 or higher is encouraged to apply.

The program includes a week-long orientation session centered around five core themes: British legal education, the British legal system, comparative ethics and professional responsibility, British politics, and access to justice in criminal and civil settings. Site visits are also included, such as a Legal London Walking Tour through the Inns of Court and visits to the UK Supreme Court, Parliament, and the Royal Courts of Justice.

Overall, the LondonEx externship program offers a unique opportunity for students to gain practical experience and cultural exposure while building valuable professional connections in London's rich legal world.

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Pro Bono Recognition Program

Syracuse University College of Law offers a Pro Bono Recognition Program that acknowledges students who have completed at least 50 hours of pro bono legal work. This work must be carried out at approved sites and under the supervision of a licensed attorney. The program does not offer remuneration or academic credit, and the legal services must be provided to those of limited means.

The Pro Bono Recognition Program is just one of the ways that Syracuse Law students can gain experiential learning credits. These credits are awarded for alternative learning experiences and can be earned through externships, which provide students with the opportunity to gain legal experience and develop professional relationships. Syracuse Law offers a broad range of externship opportunities, including placements with firms, organizations, judges, and governmental agencies, both locally and nationally.

The LondonEx program, for example, is a seven-week international summer externship where students gain exposure to clients and professionals, receive mentoring, and enjoy cultural opportunities. Students can also take advantage of the College's relationship with employers to find placements that align with their career goals.

To qualify for experiential learning credits, students should first consult with their academic advisor to determine their suitability. The advisor will then recommend enrolling in a prior learning assessment credit-bearing course. Students can also petition for academic credit for their experiential learning.

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Determining eligibility for experiential learning credit

Students who are matriculated into a part-time undergraduate BPS degree at Syracuse University can petition for academic credit for their experiential learning. Students must have successfully completed BPS 211: Introduction to Professional Studies, which is a pre-requisite for BPS 379: Prior Learning Assessment.

Prior experiences that may qualify as experiential learning credit include five or more years of work experience that demonstrates depth and breadth of progressively responsible work with verifiable competencies (full-time or part-time). Students can earn up to 30 credits through the PLA.

Syracuse Law offers a broad range of externship opportunities with firms, organizations, judges, and governmental agencies, locally and nationally. Students can earn credit and develop professional relationships while working in premier placements across the country. The College of Law also offers the prestigious LondonEx program, emphasizing a comparative law immersion where students can learn the fundamental tenets of English law.

Frequently asked questions

Experiential learning credits are college credits awarded based on alternative learning experiences.

Students should first work with their academic advisor to determine if they are a good candidate for pursuing experiential learning credit.

Syracuse University College of Law offers a broad range of externship opportunities with firms, organizations, judges, and governmental agencies, locally and nationally. Students can also participate in the College's Pro Bono Recognition Program, which recognizes students who have completed at least 50 hours of pro bono legal work.

A maximum of 90 credits of transfer credit or a combination of transfer credit and any other credit may be accepted.

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