Internships
The Institute for Paralegal Studies offers an optional internship program to provide students with practical, on-the-job experience under the supervision of the director and an onsite attorney or paralegal supervisor. Student interns have the opportunity to apply their classroom learning in the workplace, establish contacts in the local legal community and develop their skills and self-confidence.
Institute students have completed internships in law firms of all sizes, legal departments of corporations and federal and state government offices. The legal community has shown intense enthusiasm for the internship program and new internship opportunities continue to become available. Internships are arranged by the director, who will attempt to accommodate the student's area of interest. Prospective interns prepare resumes and interview with the internship supervisor to confirm the arrangement.
Most students undertake internships during their last or second-last sessions of study. Students must have completed 14 to 16 credit hours before the internship session; the director will evaluate each student's course work for qualification.
The internships are unpaid; instead, the student receives 2 hours of academic credit. The usual Loyola program tuition rate applies.
The internship requires 120 hours at the internship site over the course of the internship period, scheduled as agreed by the student, director and on-site internship supervisor. During the internship, students participate in online discussions with the director and other student interns about their internship experiences. A daily log and a final report must be submitted to the director at the end of the internship. Also, the internship supervisor will be asked to evaluate the student intern's work twice during the internship. The course is graded on a pass/fail basis.
Interested students must meet with the Institute Director for an Internship Appointment. Available appointment dates are located within the Current Student section of the Paralegal Studies Website.
Employers interested in hosting an intern, may request an information packet or contact the Institute Office at 312/915-6820.
