Yes! All law students in good standing upon completion of the first year curriculum are eligible for co-op.

The law school does not have a minimum GPA requirement for co-op. However, some of our co-op partners have minimum GPA requirements that we honor in the matching process. If a co-op partner has a minimum GPA requirement, students must satisfy the requirement to be considered for that partner's co-op position.

We offer four types of co-ops: Regular Co-op, Co-op Intensive, Academic Year Co-op and Summer Co-op. In the regular co-op, students work a minimum of 298 hours during the semester to earn seven (7) field credits. In the co-op intensive, students work a minimum of 425 hours during the semester to earn ten (10) field credits. In the academic year co-op, students work a minimum of 255 hours per semester during the fall and spring semesters to earn a total of twelve (12) field credits for the year. In Summer Co-op, students work a minimum of 298 hours during the summer semester to earn seven (7) field credits. In all versions, students also take the accompanying seminar for an additional 1-2 credits.

At time of application, students are permitted to preference co-op positions that interest them. In general, students are 'matched' to open positions through a process that takes into account a student's qualifications and academic goals as well as the placement's prerequisites. Although a student's preference is one of the factors considered in the matching process, we cannot guarantee that a student will be matched to a specific placement.

Yes, with prior review and approval of the co-op program director, who screens all co-op placements. Because co-op is part of the law school's academic program for which students earn a significant number of credits, we secure from each placement specific commitments to the law school and to students. By vetting the placements carefully and ensuring a diversity of placement settings, we are able to offer you high quality, successful learning experiences.

Students apply for co-op a semester in advance and participate in a matching process administered by the law school that takes into account the student’s academic goals and interests and the placement’s requirements and preferences. The co-op application packet consists of the student’s resume, transcript, and writing sample as well as various program-related forms. The co-op program director reviews all applications, meets with each applicant to provide academic counseling and proposes applicants to open co-op positions. Some placements request an interview, and in that event, the student is asked to attend an interview before the match is confirmed. After the interview, the placement notifies the law school whether it accepts the proposed match. In instances when a placement does not accept a proposed match, the program director will work with the student until an appropriate placement is identified and confirmed for the student.

Students on co-op take additional courses to satisfy their credit load requirement for the semester. The number of additional credits a student can take depends on the student's program of study and can potentially range anywhere from three (3) to eight (8) credits. The law school tries to offer core courses at times during the week that accommodates students' co-op work schedule, such as early morning and late afternoon/evening times. The accompanying co-op class, called Lawyering Practice Seminar, is offered in person, meeting for 2 hours each week and in an asynchronous online format.

The undergraduate program involves internships for pay, making the relationships created in that program essentially employer/employee relationships.

Law school co-op placements are primarily academic in nature. The relationship is not one of employer/employee, but of mentor/mentee. The placement is primarily for the benefit of the student with a focus on the student's learning goals.

The co-op experience is integrated into our academic curriculum where you earn a significant number of credits and satisfy the professional practice graduation requirement. In the regular co-op, you earn seven (7) credits for the field work performed in the placement setting and two (2) credits for "Lawyering Practice Seminar," the classroom component of the program. In the co-op intensive, you earn ten (10) field credits.

Students completing a concentration may be required to complete a concentration-related co-op in their third year. Please visit the individual concentration pages or contact the appropriate concentration director for more details.

Yes, students can do a co-op during the summer semester. Students earn a total of nine (9) credits for summer co-op, seven (7) for the field and two (2) for the accompanying seminar. Please note that summer tuition is applicable.

No, the Co-op Program is designed to give students first-hand experience with professional practice, enhancing their understanding of the law and the ways it plays out in the real world while enabling them to learn from accomplished lawyers and judges. However, some students do receive job offers from their placements.

Students are not permitted to do a co-op with a for-profit organization where they are currently working or have previously worked as a legal intern, law clerk or similar position. In not-for-profit placements, students may seek approval from the program director, who will set appropriate criteria.

Most students complete one co-op. By special application, though, students may apply for a second co-op. Second co-ops may be capped and not offered every semester. A variety of factors are considered in approving a second co-op, including the type of co-op previously completed by applicant, the reason the applicant is seeking a second co-op, the availability of faculty to provide adequate supervision of a second co-op, capacity within Lawyering Practice Seminar II, whether the applicant is on target with all graduation requirements, and the courses completed and grades achieved by applicant.

Students are not permitted to do a second co-op at the same placement, but the Advanced Co-op option is an option for students who wish to stay on at their current placement. In Advanced Co-op, with the permission and sign off from their current field supervisor, students stay on for an extra semester to complete a special, identified project. In this option, students work approximately 10 hours a week and earn 2 credits. Students wishing to do an Advanced Co-op should seek approval from their Lawyering Practice Seminar professor.