Experiential Learning

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Experiential Courses, Clinics, and Externships

At Syracuse Law, you'll get hands-on learning, skills-building, and professional development built right into your curriculum, through innovative coursework, our clinics and externship program, and our nationally ranked trial advocacy program. 

You'll gain a real understanding of how the legal system works, working alongside practicing lawyers in diverse legal settings. Along the way, you'll build the core skills every lawyer needs: client interviewing and counseling, legal writing and drafting, and oral advocacy.

Students meet with a client in the Veterans Legal Clinic

Clinical Education

To be a profession-ready lawyer, you need experience. Learn how to apply doctrinal law while representing clients under the supervision of faculty-mentors via the Syracuse Law’s clinic program.

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Externships

Work with attorneys to gain hands-on experience; hone your research, writing, and legal analysis skills; learn and adapt to the culture and expectations of a law work environment, and build and activate professional networks where you plan to launch your legal careers.

Student sits at a cafe seat with a cup of coffee, looking down at a paper and holding a pen.

Pro Bono Program

Work alongside local attorneys and public interest organizations to serve individuals with limited means and building real legal skills while giving back.

Student sits in an empty courtroom looking out the window, wearing a black suit.

Experiential Courses

From your first year through graduation, you'll have countless ways to get practical legal experience. Review the experiential courses in our curriculum that satisfy both the ABA graduation requirement and the New York State bar admission requirement for experiential learning.

Cold Case Justice Initiative

The CCJI trains Syracuse Law students to investigate and pursue prosecution of unsolved Civil Rights Era murders—advocating for victims' families and racial justice through law and journalism.