Apply to the Clinics

Students can apply to the Clinical Program twice a year:

• In late October to early November for the spring semester  
• In late March to early April for the fall semester 

LLM students may apply once per year — in the fall — for spring clinic participation.

Fill out the Clinical Program application.  

The application includes a general application and clinic-specific applications as well as requires students to submit a resume. If students are interested in more than one clinic, they are asked to rank their preferences among clinics. Clinics do not take grades into consideration when admitting students. While clinic admission is competitive, almost all students get to participate in a clinic before they graduate even if they don’t get in the first time they apply. Clinics take prior semester interest into consideration.

All clinics accept applications from second- and third-year law students. Some clinics accept first-year law student applications for spring semester. Clinics also consider applications from LL.M. students, M.P.P. students, and students from other professional schools on a case-by-case basis.

In student selection, as in all aspects of the program, the clinics are committed to an equitable, inclusive, and anti-racist learning and practice environment. 

JSD applications will be reviewed by the Associate Dean, Jurisprudence and Social Policy Program.

After applying students should hear within two weeks. If they haven’t heard after three weeks, they should reach out to the clinic(s) to which they applied. 

Students can enroll in Phase II registration and will be given a registration code.  

Clinic is a one-semester commitment, except for the Death Penalty Clinic, which requires a full-year commitment. While the Policy Advocacy Clinic is a semester commitment, they will not be accepting applications for the spring semester. 

Clinic involves a minimum of 6 credits for first-time clinic students (minimum 4 units in the clinic, which is about 16 hours/week, and a required 2-unit companion seminar). Students returning to clinic may enroll for a lower number of units. 

Clinic credits do not count against the 18 units allowed for non-classroom/non-law units.

Some clinics may require/prefer state bar certification or having taken/concurrent enrollment in a particular course. Students are encouraged to ask specific clinics if they have particular requirements.

Clinic may satisfy the writing requirement. Students are encouraged to ask clinics if this may be a possibility.

While clinic hours are generally not recognized as pro bono because they are earned credit, hours that are in excess of credit are recognized as pro bono. Clinic hours may fulfill the pro bono requirement for some state bars. 

Students may enroll in only one experiential learning opportunity (clinic, field placement, or practicum) each semester or must have permission of both instructors.