A. Summer Internship and Required Bono Legal Work
All scholars are required to complete 240 hours of attorney-supervised pro bono legal work in a location approved by the Social Justice Scholarship Director(s). To fulfill this requirement, scholars are strongly encouraged to complete at least one summer internship, supported by a summer grant, in social justice. (240 hours is approximately 6 weeks at 40 hours a week.) In the event a scholar is unable to fulfill the pro bono requirement through a summer internship, hours may be accumulated over the course of law school. Scholars fulfilling the requirement under this section also fulfill the requirement for the Certificate for Civil and Human Rights.
B. Minimum Grade Point Average (GPA)
In alignment with all other offered merit-based scholarships, this award does not carry a required GPA. As is expected of all law students, scholars must stay academically eligible for law school (2.20 GPA) to continue enrollment.
C. Required Courses
All scholars are required to take a minimum of 14 credit hours of advanced course work (classes other than those required for graduation) in approved social justice courses. We are in the process of updating the list of approved courses for the Social Justice Scholarship Program to correspond to the list of approved courses for the Civil and Human Rights Certificate Program. Scholars fulfilling the requirement under this section will also fulfill the requirement for the Certificate.
D. Public Service Requirement
All scholars are required to perform a minimum of 50 hours of public service. (This is 20 more than what is required of all 91勛圖厙 Law students.) Scholars fulfilling the requirement under this section also fulfill the requirement for the Certificate for Civil and Human Rights.
E. Third-Year Service Projects
Each cohort of scholars must plan and implement a capstone service project during their third year in law school, as part of their public service requirement. As service project coordinators, scholars will plan the event or events, coordinate volunteers, and encourage the student body’s involvement by partnering with relevant student clubs. Service projects organized by Social Justice scholars in the past include Street Law, Mission Possible, Juvenile Record Sealing Project, the creation of GPILP, the approval of the Community Organizing course, and an Immigration Needs Assessment.
F. Leadership Requirement
All scholars are expected to be leaders at the law school and to contribute to the broader social justice community. This can include serving in a leadership role in a club, volunteering in a local organization, or participation in events and programs hosted by the Center for Civil and Human Rights.
G. Employment Following Graduation
Within the first 5 years after graduation, each Social Justice scholar is expected to be employed in a social justice position for each year the scholar had the scholarship. For purposes of this Section, this requirement is satisfied if the scholar is working (1) with individuals and communities that are traditionally marginalized, subordinated, discriminated against, targeted, or otherwise disadvantaged (for example, non-profit legal services or public policy-oriented domestic or international nonprofit or intergovernmental organization); (2) with local, state, tribal or national government offices and agencies (for example, public defender, prosecutor, attorney general, or judicial clerkship); or (3) in a law practice position that has a demonstrated commitment to serving the public good or under-represented clients. The work described under this section may be a position for which a JD is an advantage, but not strictly required.