Judicial and Law Practicum
These practia provide law-related academic and professional opportunities to Rice undergraduate students. Participants earn 3 credits for each semester-long practicum (Fall: PLST 401, Spring: PLST 402); both courses count toward the Politics, Law, and Social Though minor. To view our practicum partners, click here.
Application Process
Spring 2020 judicial practicum: application is now closed (deadline October 20)
Typically, these items are submitted for consideration.
- Application form
- Resume, unofficial transcript, and essay responses
Experiential Education
Participants spend 8-10 contact hours per week with a judge, lawyer, or other legal professional to observe law in action. Students will also gain understanding in the following areas through presentations by faculty and alumni experts:
- Basic legal research (WestLaw & LexisNexis, legal memos)
- Historical, theoretical and ethical legal issues
- Federal and Texas court structure
- Separation of powers
- Confidentiality
- Professional conduct
- Subfield specialties (criminal law, immigration law, etc.)
Eligibility
The Judicial (Spring term) and Law (Fall term) Practica are open to all continuing undergraduate students who have completed at least nine hours in a humanities or social sciences discipline. Preference will be given to students in their third/fourth year of study, as well as those who have completed one or more law-related courses. *All spring 2020 participants must enroll in the associated course for credit: PLST 402 (held most Mondays 6:30-9:30pm).
To international students—an internship that is off Rice campus and inside the U.S. may endanger your student visa. Consult with OISS, Nyeva Agwunobi (nyeva@rice.edu)- Manager of Student Programs, or with the Director of Undergraduate Studies in the relevant department or program. Additional considerations can be found here.
Selection
Once all application materials are confirmed, students will be contacted with any interview offers. After all interviews have been completed, students will be notified of their final placements. Notifications will be given before spring registration closes in late November.
Additional details
The Judicial and Law practica are offered through Politics, Law and Social Thought. This interdisciplinary program is a joint partnership between the School of Humanities and the School of Social Sciences. For more information, visit politics.rice.edu.
Pre-Law
Interested in law professions? The Office of Academic Advising has resources for you! Visit their website here for more information and to view law school resources and a pre-law undergraduate timetable.
Contact Information
For all practicum questions, please contact:
Nyeva Agwunobi, MPA
Manager of Student Programs
Rice University, School of Humanities
nyeva@rice.edu | (713) 348-3021
humanities.rice.edu/hedge