Skip to main content

TJSL Externship Program Is Ranked Among Top 20 in Nation

October 7, 2013

TJSL Externship Program Is Ranked Among Top 20 in Nation

Thomas Jefferson School of Law once again has earned recognition for having one of the top externship programs in the nation. TJSL’s 18th place ranking in the September issue of the National Jurist magazine is based on the ratio of externships the school has placed and the number of full-time students. TJSL is also the only San Diego law school that made the new ranking list of the top 29 law schools in the nation.
 

The magazine’s rankings are based on full-time students only as there are some law schools that do not have part-time programs, as does TJSL. The data was pulled from the ABA-LSAC Official Guide to ABA-Approved Law Schools, 2013 edition. For total enrollment based on full-time and part-time students in 2012, TJSL would be ranked as the 5th largest externship program in the nation and the only California law school in the top 20, according to TJSL Professor Judybeth Tropp, the director of TJSL’s externship program.
 

“Our true number for the year was 441 students participating in our Externship program,” said Professor Tropp. “That number represented 61% percent of our student body. I am so proud of our students.”
 

“Last year, 441 TJSL students had externships throughout the region and the country. Thomas Jefferson students are noted for their outstanding work product, their work ethic and their ability to work successfully in a wide array of field placements. Our faculty work tirelessly to ensure that our students are well prepared for these opportunities. It is an honor to direct this program.”
 

TJSL’s thriving externship program gives students a wide variety of externships to choose from, including the state and federal court systems, private law firms, public service law, corporations, government legal offices such as the district attorney or public defender and many more, including international externships such as the international courts at The Hague, Netherlands.
 

“It is our mission to provide TJSL students with a large and diverse number of externship opportunities,” said Professor Tropp. “This allows the TJSL student a chance to have hands on learning experiences throughout the city, county, state, country and the world. Our program encourages TJSL students to build as many lawyering and professional skills as possible while they are here and to take those skills into the marketplace upon their graduation.”
 

View the National Jurist article

For more information about TJSL’s externship program, visit www.tjsl.edu/clinics/externships.