Section Navigation

• Activities & Organizations
• Centers
• Clinic Program
• Access to Justice
• Competitions
• Journals
• Study Abroad
• Technology
• Contact Student Affairs

Clinic Program

Public Interest Internship Program

The Public Interest Internship Program encourages students to explore careers in the public interest by awarding academic credit for internships and experience in public service venues. This program takes place in the summer only. Internship opportunities include legal work assigned by the attorney-supervisor and an academic component assigned by the faculty member designed to encourage reflection on issues of ethics and practice.

Indiana Law allows students who are engaged in unpaid legal work for nonprofit, government agencies, judges, or legal services organizations to receive up to four credits during the summer. Between 130 and 140 students participate each summer.

The Public Interest Internship Program allows students to take fewer hours in the fall semester of their second year, when they are typically involved in journals, moot court, and job searches. It also provides students with:

• An opportunity to think reflectively and critically about the practice of law and ethical issues
• A challenging legal setting after the first year
• The chance to explore a practice setting they might not have otherwise considered
• Professional contacts

In the past, students in this program have interned with employers including state attorney general’s offices, international legal service organizations, and judges in state, trial, and appellate courts.

Major internship categories:

• Legal services for poor/special populations
• Advocacy nonprofits
• Other nonprofits
• Judicial
• Government
• Criminal
• Civil

With the help of Indiana Law’s Office of Career and Professional Development, you’ll find your own placement in the program. This serves as an excellent way to network for future job searches.

Requirements

Students must work 80 hours to receive one hour of academic credit for up to 4 hours of credit. In addition to work at the internship site, participants must also write weekly reflective essays about the internship experience and maintain regular contact with a faculty supervisor.

Before you apply, decide which organization you want to serve. Refer to the Course Handbook for details on the Public Interest Internship Program and policies. If you want to receive academic credit for the internship, complete the B547 Registration Form and return it to the Recorder's Office when you register. After you register, you will be assigned a faculty supervisor. You are not required to apply for academic credit.

Contact the Public Interest Internship Program

Kim Bunge, Assistant Director of the Office of Career and Professional Development
E-mail: kbunge [at] indiana [dot] edu
Phone: (812) 855-8433
Fax: (812) 855-4840