Externship Director

American University is a student-centered research institution located in Washington, DC, with highly-ranked schools and colleges, internationally-renowned faculty, and a reputation for creating meaningful change in the world. Learn more about American University

Department:

Washington College of Law

Time Type:

Full time

Work Modality:

Hybrid 01 (On Campus 3-4 Days/Week)

Union:

Excluded

Job Description:

Summary:

The employee will have full responsibility for the administration of a major experimental learning program which places up to 250 students enrolled each academic year in workplace settings and provides systematic classroom-based instruction in approximately 12 seminars as well as individualized academic supervision of those placements. The seminars focus on reflective practice, lawyering skills, professionalism and ethics relevant to student externship assignments and legal practice.  The employee will function as the principal representative of AUWCL in contacts with the practicing bar, government agencies, non-governmental organizations, courts, corporate offices and law firms for the purpose of developing externship opportunities and will organize and maintain an interactive computerized database of information about such opportunities.

Working with the Associate Dean for Experiential Education, the Externship Program Director will have overarching responsibility to develop and implement externship policies and procedures, assure that the externship placements are in compliance with the American Bar Association (“ABA”) Accreditation Standards; recruit new placements; oversee website and other information about externships; counsel students on whether, when and where to pursue externships; assist in coordinating international externships; teach the Supervised Externship Seminar or the Advanced Externship Seminar; and lead strategic planning for the externship program. JD degree required. The Director will be responsible for establishing and maintaining relationships with externship programs in other law schools, locally and nationally.

In addition, the Administrator will work closely with the WCL Office of Career & Professional Development (OCPD) to assure that the Supervised Externship Program functions as effectively as possible in supporting students through the transition from school to work. In conjunction with OCPD, he or she will help to counsel students on how best to use externship experiences as an entry point for part-time or post-graduation job opportunities.

Organizational Characteristics:

• This position reports directly to the Associate Dean of Experiential Learning and Director of Clinic in charge of the supervised Externship Program. In conjunction with the Office of Academic Affairs, this position is responsible for hiring and supervising all externship faculty. In a given year, at least 12 externship faculty teach in the program, while others are available to teach in subsequent years.

• He or she is responsible for hiring and supervising a full-time Program Coordinator and Part-Time Dean’s Fellow.

• This position will work closely with the Assistant Dean for Career and Professional Development and her staff that the Externship Program functions as effectively as possible in supporting students through the transition from school to work.  

Essential Functions:

• Registration/Approval/Compliance with ABA Standards: Maintain familiarity with ABA Standards for Learning Outcomes, Externships, Experiential Education and Credits Hours (Sections 302, 303, 304, 310) Provide students with effective and timely registration and approval system for field placements and seminars. Administer approval process for students seeking to receive academic credit for externships to ensure compliance with ABA Standards and AUWCL Externship policies. Reach out to new employers as necessary and communicate with students and supervisors in a timely fashion regarding any compliance issues that arise