Duke in D.C.
Duke in D.C. gives students who are interested in public policy, public service, and careers in the public sector an opportunity to engage in hands-on law practice through a full-time externship experience in Washington, D.C.
The program has two components: a semester-long externship placement with a D.C.-area government or non-profit organization, and a weekly seminar course (with a substantial research paper requirement) taught by Duke Law faculty. Duke in D.C. students earn 9 credits (450 fieldwork hours) for the externship (graded credit/no credit), and 4 graded credits for the Duke in D.C. seminar & research paper. Duke in D.C. students must complete their externship fieldwork hours between the semester's first day of classes and the last day of exams. A course in Professional Responsibility/Ethics is a pre-requisite for enrollment in Duke in D.C. Duke in D.C. is a Fall Semester program and, barring exceptional circumstances, it will be open to students only in the fall of their third year.
Duke in D.C. takes advantage of Duke Law's proximity to Washington, D.C., and the extraordinary connections and expertise of Duke Law faculty. Duke Law faculty testify on Capitol Hill, advise policymakers, and research and write about federal policy and regulation in areas such as business and finance, intellectual property, environmental law, international law and human rights, national security, and federal criminal and civil law.
For students interested in externing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, please take some time to look through our SEC Info Packet (NetID and password required). We have compiled office/division descriptions from across the SEC website, extern role descriptions, and advice from previous Duke in DC SEC externs.
Interested in Duke in D.C.?
- Book an appointment with Prof. Anne Gordon, Director of Externships.
- DEADLINE: the last day of Registration for the semester you wish to go.
- Keep in mind, however, that the placements themselves often have much earlier deadlines, and the earlier you talk to Professor Gordon about your interest in the program, the more helpful she can be in your search.
Securing an Externship Placement for Duke in D.C.
Students are encouraged to seek out and secure their own externship placements for participation in Duke in D.C., so as to target their specific interests and goals with regard to skills practice and professional development. That said, Externships Program faculty and staff are here to help, so reach out! View past placements.
Resources for externship placement:
-
Government Honors & Internship Handbook for login credentials, contact Prof. Anne Gordon
-
The USAjobs.gov Student Jobs site
-
Federal Agency job/internship information sites, including:
-
Government Honors & Internship Handbook For login credentials, contact Prof. Anne Gordon
-
The USAjobs.gov Student Jobs site
- Congressional Committee internships (some examples include):
- Externship (internship) opportunities on Capitol Hill sometimes are advertised on Roll Call
- Students also are encouraged to contact their own Congressional representatives (or the representatives of where your parents live/you used to live) in order to inquire about externship opportunities with individual members' offices: Senate Member List and House Member List