The Special Circumstances Externship Program (SCEP) allows second and third year students to work for credit for one quarter in nonprofit, public interest, public policy, and government agencies outside of the Bay Area. (See Law 474 and Law 475). Standards for approval of a SCEP placement are similar to those for Directed Research proposals, but are higher. Because there is a preference for local civil and criminal SEP placements, your SCEP proposal must explain (a) how it meets the goals of the externship program; and (b) why a similar project cannot be accomplished in one of the placements offered in the Bay Area. SCEP placements outside the Bay Area must be full-time.
Students wishing to undertake a SCEP placement must obtain the supervision of a faculty member who will oversee their externship and an accompanying tutorial.
For a complete description of the SCEP, students should read the Externship Handbook, which is available from the Levin Center for Public Service and Public Interest Law or online at: http://www.law.stanford.edu/program/centers/pip/externship/. Students wishing to enroll in an externship must meet various requirements that are set out in the Handbook. Interested students should speak to Danielle Cover, Pro Bono Coordinator.
Grading Elements used: Full participation and attendance, satisfactory evaluation by field placement supervisor, weekly reflection papers of three to five pages, and a final reflection paper of no less than 15 pages.