Washburn Law Launching Third Year Anywhere(TM) Enrollment Option
Washburn Law students who are admitted fall 2019 or later will have the opportunity to complete their final year of law school through the innovative Third Year Anywhere™ enrollment option. Students who participate in this option will increase their practice-readiness by completing an externship in the geographic area where they plan to practice after graduation.
Students will earn academic credit while gaining real-world experience practicing law under the supervision of a licensed lawyer 20 hours per week in one of six sectors: corporate, government, higher education, judicial, law firm, or public interest. Opportunities also exist for students to participate in an externship in underserved rural locations.
Third year coursework will be completed through substantive online law courses, including a course in Law Practice Competencies which will teach students successful project management skills, how to use legal technology, how to read financial statements, and other competencies essential for successful law practice.
"Washburn has long been known for graduating students who are practice-ready, and the Third Year Anywhere™ enrollment option will build on that foundation by affording students more in-depth practical experience during law school" said Carla Pratt, dean of Washburn Law. "Placing students in the legal market where they intend to practice will position them to join the local bar association, network with lawyers who will become their professional peers, and interview for jobs in that market prior to graduating."
Enrollment is limited to ensure that each student has attentive supervision by a Washburn faculty member. The primary faculty members who will supervise students in this enrollment option are Professor of Law Janet Thompson Jackson, and Associate Dean for Centers and Programs Shawn Leisinger, who together bring decades of experience in experiential legal education to this new enrollment option.
Placement locations are subject to availability and limitations to ensure student safety and educational integrity, and must be in excess of a 35-mile radius of the law school. Learn more at: Third Year Anywhere™.
"I live in Utrecht, the Netherlands, and teach at the University of Amsterdam School of Law. It's invaluable to build a network where you want to live and practice. An out-of-residence experience gives you a leg up when you're in the job market. Employers are always looking for experiences that make you stand out, and anything out of the ordinary makes you a more attractive candidate. In my opinion, Washburn Law's Third Year Anywhere™ enrollment option is a must. My advice is don't delay – apply now!"
Jessica Dorsey, '08
Lecturer of Politics, Psychology, Law, and Economics at the University of Amsterdam; Associate Fellow, International Centre for Counter-Terrorism
Jessica Dorsey talks about the value of an out-of-residence externship.
Learn about the Third Year Anywhere® enrollment option and check out the links to media coverage, below.