Los Angeles

Los Angeles, California

Spend a semester with ASU Law in California at the historic Herald Examiner building in downtown L.A.

Students at ASU Law have a special opportunity to work and study for a semester in L.A., California. The ASU Law L.A. program provides students with a unique opportunity to take classes while exploring experiential learning offerings and networking in the entertainment capital of the United States. In-person classes are typically offered in the fall but may be available in the spring based on student interest. The LA Externship Program assists students in developing expertise in important legal areas, obtaining real-world experience, and developing invaluable relationships with new attorneys entering legal practice who want to practice in the L.A. area!

Students accepted into the program will pay all standard tuition and fees required by their enrollment at ASU Law and are eligible for financial aid through the law school. While in L.A., students have access to support and resources, including full-time staff and faculty, group study space, library resources, printing, and supplies.

Current students: click here to register to participate in ASU Law’s Semester in Los Angeles.

For more information about ASU Law's programs in L.A., please contact Aubrey Hicks, director for the L.A. Program at Aubrey.Hicks@asu.edu.

View of the corner of ASU Los Angeles campus

Programs

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Who may participate in ASU Law's semester in L.A. program?

All on-ground, degree-seeking students at ASU Law may be eligible for the L.A. program after their 1L year is completed. JD students must register and submit a statement of interest prior to their semester, but there are no minimum criteria to participate; all interested JD students have the option to study in L.A.. LLM and MLS students may also participate, but must apply and receive approval before registering for the L.A. program. Students with a GPA under 2.5 are required to get permission before acceptance. Students are not permitted to participate in both the Washington, D.C. program and the L.A. Externship Program.

When may ASU Law students go to L.A., and for how long?

JD students may participate as early as their first summer (after 1L year), and throughout their 2L or 3L years. JD students may stay in L.A. for one semester for credit, beginning and ending with any semester, including their final semester.

How many courses do students typically take in L.A.? How many are required?

Students may not earn more than 16 credits in L.A., and all units earned during the semester you spend in L.A. count towards this cap. A typical workload for students is to take 1-2 courses offered in-person or possibly online courses (6-9 credits) and 6-9 credit externships for the semester. ASU Law will generally offer at least two in-person classes in the fall and can sometimes have courses available in the spring. There is no required number of courses or units for the L.A. program, but students should ensure that their schedule allows them to keep up with graduation requirements. All other student policies and financial aid policies apply.

Where have students done externships in L.A?

Los Angeles, CA., is home to many organizations offering a wide range of experiential learning opportunities, including for-profit, non-profit, judicial, legislative, and government externships and MLS internships. ASU Law students have worked in law firms, government agencies, and institutions such as:

Ogletree Deakins
Granderson Des Rochers, LLP
Nehme Law Firm
Kazerouni Law Group APC
Insight Sports Advisors
Pfeiffer Law Corp
The Tenants Law Firm
Human Rights First

U.S. District Court - Central District of California
Israeli-American Coalition for Action
Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office
Orange County District Attorney's Office
Wasserman Media Group

What courses are typically offered in L.A.?

Class offerings are tailored to fit student interests but possible focus areas include:

CA Professional Responsibility and/or CA Bar Topics.
Entertainment, Arts, and Intellectual Property.
Civil Rights/Equity Issues.

Asynchronous online JD courses, when available have spots held open for L.A. program students. Independent study options where students coordinate a focused project with an AZ-based faculty member may also be available. Please consider that these courses, like any credits taken while in L.A., would count towards the 16-credit cap imposed on your semester in Los Angeles by the ABA.

Are students required to do an externship during their semester in L.A.?

While students are not required to complete an externship in L.A., we expect most students will take advantage of this unique career opportunity. The program is not yet designed to provide a full semester of in-person courses at this time. Students are responsible for finding and securing their own externships but have school resources available to help! Utilize the Career Services team and resources available on Atlas to get started. Students should expect to apply to more placements than when applying for positions in Phoenix.

Are there any differences in funding and finance if I participate in the L.A. program?

All of the same tuition, fees, and scholarships apply. Furthermore, participants in the L.A. program are eligible for scholarship awards through the Pay It Forward program. More information on this program can be found here.

ASU Programs exist to help subsidize some of the cost of living, including a subsidized housing program that can be billed to student accounts and a discounted Student LA Metro U-pass available at a discounted rate.

How does a semester in L.A. affect my tuition and scholarships?

Students accepted into the program will pay all standard tuition and fees required by their enrollment at ASU Law and are eligible for financial aid through the law school. The same tuition, fees, and scholarships apply to students participating in the L.A. program.

Will spending time in L.A. affect my eligibility for in-state residency?

If you are petitioning for Arizona residency, please note that leaving Arizona for this program may negatively impact your petition for residency. Once you have obtained residency, participating in this program will not result in a review of your residency status.

What support is available for ASU Law students coming to L.A.?

Law Students in L.A. have access to the Herald Examiner Building, which was newly renovated and reopened in August 2021. The building is centrally located in downtown L.A.. Students have access to study spaces, meeting & conference rooms, kitchens, printing options, and supplies. Remote library access includes live research assistance with the ability to send and scan resources. Career Services are available by virtual appointment, as well as through Atlas. Academic Services & Financial Aid have the same policies and procedures in place for students participating in the L.A. program and are available remotely.