Joseph F. Rice School of Law

Experiential Learning

Experiential courses give students an opportunity to put into practice much of what they have learned in their first and second years of law school. South Carolina Law provides many opportunities for students to gain practical experience.

South Carolina Law helps you learn not just how to think like a lawyer, but how to act like one.

We'll test your skills and knowledge by giving you opportunities to represent clients—real and simulated—through Capstone courses, Clinics, Externships, and study abroad opportunities.

Clinics

Students enrolled in clinical courses represent real clients and appear in court under the supervision of a faculty member, thanks to special student-practice rules.

Externships

Students can earn academic credit while gaining professional experience by working under the supervision of an attorney and participating in a course taught by instructors who have experience in the various practice areas. Students will learn through hands on experiences as well as observation.

Capstone

Capstone courses put you and your classmates together in a simulated firm to solve complex problems and work through legal solutions.

Pro Bono Program

South Carolina Law is home to the first voluntary Pro Bono Program at a U.S. law school.

Student Spotlight

"My summer externship with the Capital Trial Division of the South Carolina Commission on Indigent Defense was an incredible opportunity to work hands-on with pending death penalty cases. Working side-by-side with an experienced attorney allowed me to meet several clients and complete work that furthered the case for the defense. The legal work I completed was substantive work-product material necessary for the defense's case-at-hand. My goals for the program were to learn more about the criminal justice system and ensure that all of these indigent clients facing the death penalty received the best defense possible. It is an honor for me to say that these goals have well-been accomplished."

-Caitlyn Pennington, Class of 2017

Challenge the conventional. Create the exceptional. No Limits.