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Truman R. Young Prosecutorial Fellowship

Truman R. Young, Jr., was a former Air Force Academy graduate and decorated combat pilot selected to participate in a series of internships sponsored by the State Bar of Arizona. These internships were designed to encourage highly qualified and motivated law students to become career prosecutors. During his internships and subsequent career as a prosecutor, Young exemplified the qualities that the public expects of its advocates.

On March 13, 1982, Young was killed in a mid-air collision while serving his country, piloting a National Guard airplane. In memory of Young and in tribute to him, his friends, and colleagues in conjunction with the Arizona Prosecuting Attorneys' Advisory Council (APAAC) and the Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law at Arizona State University, established the Truman R. Young, Jr. Prosecutorial Fellowship.

The fellowship is designed to annually offer one third-year law student the opportunity to participate in the type of internship program Young found so rewarding.

The program is sponsored by the Arizona Prosecuting Attorneys’ Advisory Council and administered by the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law.

Watch this video with more information about the Truman R. Young Prosecutorial Fellowship detailing more information about the various prosecutorial opportunities.

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Program details

The Truman Young Fellow:

  • Must apply, interview, and be selected as the Truman Young Fellow as a 1L.
  • Receives a tuition scholarship - award based on endowment payout.
  • Works in four prosecuting offices during the one-year fellowship period. The offices include the City of Phoenix Prosecutor’s Office, the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office, the Arizona Attorney General’s Office, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office of Arizona (if available).
  • Earns a total of 12 credits - six graded credits for fall and six pass/fail credits in spring.

Requirements for the Fellow

  • Must be a first-year law student at the time of application at the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at Arizona State University.
  • Arizona Supreme Court Rule 39 Certification eligible
  • Required Courses (prior to summer 3L) - Professional Responsibility, Evidence, Civil Procedure and Criminal Law.
  • Good standing with the law school (2.0+ GPA)
  • U.S. Citizen
  • Successfully complete the detailed background check for all four prosecuting agencies.

Time commitments

  • 2L Summer semester: No Rotation
  • 2L Fall semester: Evidence Course
  • 2L Spring semester: Prosecution Clinic with placement at City of Phoenix Prosecutor’s Office, 300 total hours (Six (6) graded credits)
  • 3L Summer semester: Maricopa County Attorney’s Office and APAAC conference, 100 total hours (can be logged as pro bono hours or can earn externship credit if fellow pays for summer term)
  • 3L Fall semester: Arizona Attorney General’s Office,100 total hours; United States Attorney’s Office (if available), 100 total hours (Six (6) credits pass/fail)

Questions

Please contact Teri Adam.

Application deadlines for 2025-26 Truman Fellow

Information meeting: Feb. 19, 2025, from 12:15 - 1:15 p.m. in BCLS 442.

Applications accepted: Feb. 14, 2025, through Mar. 14, 2025.

Interviews: Mar. 28, 2025, at APAAC (3838 N. Central, Ste. 850, Phoenix, AZ 85012). Candidates selected for in-person consideration will be notified of interview times after applications close. 

Notification to all applicants and chosen fellow: Apr. 4, 2025.


Apply now