Internships
Internships are a great way to build on the knowledge you have learned in the classroom with practical application in a professional setting. They allow you to gain valuable, real-world experience and improve your marketability in your chosen career field. There are also many networking opportunities and the chance to be mentored by working professionals who can provide advice and guidance. Internships build your resume and your professionalism and give you information about what you like (or don't like!) about potential job paths.
As explained in fuller detail below, to take advantage of a for-credit internship you should:
- Meet with your academic advisor to discuss whether an internship works with your overall plan of study;
- Find an internship (tips below) and develop a workplan with the host organization;
- Submit your completed workplan to Dr. Linus Kafka for review.
Internship FAQ
It is the student’s responsibility to find an applicable, law-related internship. If you need ideas or help with locating an internship, a good starting place is with the list of law related internships here. There are multiple channels to find and secure an internship. The Find Internships is a great place to start. In addition, Handshake is the University of Arizona's career management tool, offering UA students and alumni access to jobs, internships, on-campus research experiences, and all things career and experiential learning related. You can also research internships by using search engines to look up internships in your county.
If you want an internship with another organization, please be sure it meets BA/MLS in Law criteria, posted here.
You may be paid for an internship, however you cannot take an internship with an organization where you already are employed, unless it is with a different division of that organization, with different work duties, and a different supervisor.
In order to receive credit for the internship, you must fill out the internship work plan. The internship work plan as a fillable PDF can be found here. It should be completed with help from your host organization supervisor and submitted to Dr. Linus Kafka. The deadline for filing the internship work plan is one week prior to the first day of classes for the semester in which you are applying to enroll in the internship.
You may take a maximum of 6 credits of internship, but you are advised to take a maximum of 3 credits per session.
Every 45 hours of work at an internship is equal to 1 academic unit or credit. So, to earn 3 credits you must do 135 hours of internship work at your host organization.
Enrollment is by permission. You will be enrolled in the internship after you submit an approved internship work plan.
Students must pay UA tuition to earn academic credit for the internship. If you don't wish to earn academic credit, the UA will not be involved at all in your internship and it will not appear on your transcript (however you may put it on your resume).
Yes. Honors students can receive honors credit for internships. Please coordinate with your honors advisor and indicate LAW 493H on your workplan submission.
The law internship must meet the law-related internship criteria. BA/MLS in Law criteria are posted here.
There is also a classroom component for each internship. The class is LAW 493 (593 for MLS students). This class will show up in your D2L site when the semester starts. There are assignments due which must be submitted to D2L, not by email to the instructor. Students who do not complete the assignments for the D2L class will not receive credit for the internship.
Yes. Once enrolled in the internship, your D2L will be populated with an internship class portal. There are several reflection essays and evaluations you must complete over the course of the internship.
Internships are structured experiences where students actively participate in meaningful work. In an observation, students watch a professional and gain exposure to the work passively. Internships require skill development and completion of tasks related to the professional experience.
Please contact Linus Kafka at lkafka@arizona.edu
- Prepare: Talk with your academic advisor about how an internship may meet your major requirements.
- Research: Start by researching law firms or legal organizations that interest you. Look for firms that specialize in law that you're interested in, or that have a good reputation in the legal community. You can use online directories, such as Martindale-Hubbell, to find law firms and their contact information. Your state bar website may also have good search functions to assist in finding lawyers, LPs, firms, or other organizations practicing in the area you are seeking experience. The Arizona State bar website has a public search tool that allows you to search by area of practice, location, and other criteria. (under the “For the Public” tab). Other opportunities for internships are linked here.
- Create a resume and cover letter: Create a professional resume and cover letter that highlights your skills, education, and experience. Make sure to tailor your resume and cover letter to the specific law firm or legal organization you're applying to.
- Confirm with the internship coordinator that the organization you are interested in interning with, and the proposed intern duties, experience, skills development, and other aspects of work are consistent with the learning objectives of the BA in Law or MLS program.
- Apply: Once you have identified a law firm or legal organization you're interested in, send your resume and cover letter to the appropriate contact person. This might be a human resources representative or a hiring manager. However, since you are applying for an internship, not a job, often it is best to reach out directly to one of the legal practitioners in the office.
- Follow up: If you haven't heard back from the law firm or legal organization within a week or two, follow up with them. Send a polite email or make a phone call to inquire about the status of your inquiry.
- Prepare for an interview: If you're selected for an interview, make sure to prepare ahead of time. Research the law firm or legal organization, practice your interviewing skills, and dress professionally.
- Secure the internship: After your interview, follow up with a thank-you note. If you're offered the internship, make sure to ask for details about the position, including start and end dates, hours, and expectations.
- Fill out the University of Arizona forms to get your internship approved and to get enrolled in the internship class. Once the host has accepted you, you will need to coordinate with a representative from that organization who can help you fill out the University of Arizona internship work plan. Be clear on your form about how many credits of internship you are applying for. You can earn 1 credit of internship credit for every 45 hours of law-related work you do for your host organization. You can earn a maximum of 6 credits of internship towards your Law major. It is recommended that you do not enroll in more than 3 credits of internship per semester.
- Confirm your enrollment in Law 493. Once you submit your work plan and other necessary forms, and you are approved, you should confirm that you are enrolled in the appropriate Law 493/593 section (this may take up to 72 hours). When the semester begins, go to your D2L page and check the syllabus for Law 493/593. You will have several assignments related to your internship to turn in over the course of the semester, but there are no in-person classroom requirements.
For additional questions reach out to lkafka@arizona.edu
LP Internship Information
LP students are required to have 120 hours or 3 credits of experiential education to qualify for licensure. Available experiential education options include clinical courses, simulation courses, and internships. (For information on clinical courses and simulation courses, please see the "Hands On Learning" website)
LP students wishing to identify and secure an internship should follow the steps outlined above but must make sure that the internship:
- Is in the practice area for which they are seeking licensure; and
- Includes “content on advocacy,” meaning that the internship offers the student meaningful opportunities to develop skills associated with conducting court hearings and trials, administrative hearings, mediation and arbitration, and settlement and plea negotiation; and
- Is supervised by a Lawyer or Legal Paraprofessional with an active state bar number.
Internship Opportunities
Law majors and MLS students can receive elective credit for internships. You may choose from the internships below or from other nonprofit or government internships provided the experience is substantial and related to the LAW major.
If you would like an internship with an organization that is not pre-approved, please see the BA in Law Policy on Recognizing Internships for Credit (PDF) and submit an inquiry to law-internships@arizona.edu.
Pathways Programs
You can find internships with the following federal agencies through the Pathways Program
- U.S. Attorney's Office - Department of Justice
- U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
- Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms
- DEA
- U.S. Department of State
- U.S. Department of State - Western Passport Center
- Office of International Affairs - U.S. Coast Guard
- Office of International Affairs - Department of Justice
- Bureau of Prisons
Apply to the Pathways Program online through USAJOBS.GOV
Federal Agencies
Visit the following agencies to learn more about their individual internship programs.
Federal Law Enforcement Agencies:
- Homeland Security Investigations
- U.S. Immigration Customs and Enforcement
- U.S. Marshals
- Defense Intelligence Agency
- FBI
Legislative Branch Internships:
Executive Branch Internships:
- U.S. Trade Representative
- U.S. Dept of Agriculture
- U.S. Dept of Commerce
- U.S. Dept of State
- U.S. Dept of Education
- U.S. Dept of Energy
- U.S. Dept of Housing and Urban Development
- U.S. Department of Treasury
Judicial Branch Internship:
Communication Workers of America Local 7000
Emerge Center Against Domestic Abuse
Growing Girls Program - Stipend Offered!
Guys After-School Mentorship & Education (GAME!) Program - Stipend Offered!
Southern Arizona Children’s Advocacy Center
Southern Arizona Legal Aid Volunteer Lawyers Program - Remote Option Available
The State of Arizona sponsors a Legislative Internship Program, which is administered by SGPP and coordinated by the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences Deans Office. Internships are awarded on a competitive basis. Students are eligible to apply if they have a minimum 3.0 GPA and have attained Senior standing or will do so by the Spring term. Students selected as Legislative Interns receive a modest stipend and work in Phoenix during the Spring semester as full-time staff members for the Legislature, the Governor's Office, and the Supreme Court.