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Micronesian Program
 



The Micronesian Externship Program places students in legal offices throughout the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas, the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of Palau, and the Territory of Guam. Students work under the supervision of attorneys practicing for the government or in the public interest sector.

Mission:

The mission of the Micronesian Externship Program is to provide students with practical legal experience working in a multi-cultural environment under the supervision of a practicing attorney and to provide students with the experience of practicing in a legal community which provides services to a historically underserved population.

Goals:

In addition to the goals of a traditional externship program, the Micronesia Externship Program aims to provide students experience in the following areas:

  1. working in an international environment;
  2. understanding the role of the United States in the development of the law of other nations;
  3. understanding how the law develops in various communities;
  4. understanding cultural differences and how those differences help to shape the law;
  5. understanding alternative dispute resolution models as they relate to cultural needs and understandings; and
  6. understanding the intersection between local culture and tradition and the law.

Requirements:

Prior to leaving for their assigned externship placement, students participate in a fourteen hour orientation program. While working in their assigned externship placement, students engage in a variety of tasks that assist them in developing their lawyering skills and expose them to local customs and traditions. Students are required to participate in local cultural events.
For a more detailed discription of the program requirements, Click on the Micronesian Externship Program Handbook.

Credit Hours and Grading:

Students earn three to six out-of-class credit hours for the work completed at the field placement. Students are graded on a pass/fail/no credit basis.

Eligibility:

In order to be eligible to participate, students must have completed all required first year courses and have a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or better.
Individual placement sites may have additional eligibility requiremnents.
To learn more about palcement sites, click on Approved Placement Sites.

How to Apply:

Students must complete an application form and submit a resume, writing sample, and a letter of reference from a faculty member.
Students are also required to interview with the Director of the Program.
A student accepted into the Micronesian Externship Program may also be required to interview with an attorney from the placement site. Click on Student Documents to download an Application.



Views of the Islands

FSM Supreme Court
Palikir, Pohnpei, FSM
Traditional Men's House
Yap, FSM
CNMI Judicial Center, Saipan
Guam Judicial Center