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Employment Law Semester in D.C.

Recognizing the additional importance of learning outside the classroom through externships, the William C. Wefel Center for Employment Law has established an Employment Law Semester in Washington, D.C.

Federal administrative agencies, such as the Department of Labor, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the National Labor Relations Board, enforce laws and regulations affecting employers and employees.

The Employment Law Semester in Washington, D.C. program provides students the opportunity to enhance their knowledge, understanding and experience by working almost full time at employment law-related federal agencies in Washington, D.C. for an entire semester under the supervision of a licensed practitioner.

Participating students will be eligible to earn 12 to 14 credits through a combination of experiential practice and coursework. They will work 30, 33 or 36 hours per week at an assigned externship placement to earn 10, 11 or 12 credits, respectively. Each student also will enroll in a complementary 2-credit course offering instruction on law practice within an agency and addressing professional responsibility issues that arise in agency practice, as well as advanced topics in administrative, labor and employment law. 

Each student is also matched with a D.C.-based mentor, selected from SLU LAW alumni working in Washington, D.C. An attorney-mentor will meet and communicate with the assigned student several times throughout the semester, ensuring students are having a positive experience and providing career guidance to students as they work in a professional environment and near the completion of their formal legal training.

Prerequisites

To be eligible to participate in the Employment Law Semester in Washington, D.C., these prerequisites must be completed by January.

  • Completion of at least 54 credit hours
  • Completion of the following courses with a grade of C or better:
    • Employment Law or Labor Law
    • Administrative Law
    • Legal Profession
  • Cumulative GPA of 2.8 or better

Students are also strongly encouraged to complete Employment Discrimination if applying for a position with the EEOC. Similarly, students interested in a position with the NLRB are encouraged to complete Labor Law.

Application Requirements
  • Completed application form
  • Current resume
  • Unofficial transcript
  • Unedited writing sample
  • Cover letter(s) regarding specific internship(s) sought
Student Responsibilities
  • Transportation to Washington, D.C.
  • Housing in Washington, D.C.
  • Living expenses in Washington, D.C.
Placement Opportunities
 Students have the opportunity to complete an externship at several federal administrative agencies,  including:
  • National Labor Relations Board (NLRB)
  • Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)
  • United States Department of Commerce (USDOC)

Find additional information about these agencies and their specific application requirements.

For more information about the Wefel Center for Employment Law and the Employment Law Semester in Washington, D.C., including how to apply, contact Professor Marcia McCormick at marcia.mccormick@slu.edu or 314-977-4263