Employment during the Academic Year
It is the policy of the School of Law that students not accept employment during the critical first year of law study. The study of law is demanding. It requires the highest level of concentration and is designed to be a full-time effort for students for three years. Most students devote from 50 to 70 hours a week to classroom attendance, preparation for class, and other activities directly related to their legal education. These include participation in appellate briefing and argument competitions, work on the University of Colorado Law Review, Colorado Journal of International Environmental Law and Policy, and involvement in actual cases through various clinics. As a consequence, the opportunity for self-support through employment while attending law school is limited.
After the first year, students may apply for the Federal College Work-Study Program. If awarded work-study, students are eligible to apply for a variety of employment opportunities on and off-campus. On-campus jobs include positions within the School of Law. CU-Boulder also contracts with a number of off-campus work-study agencies, including Boulder County Attorney’s Office, Colorado Attorney General’s Office, Denver District Attorney’s Office and the U.S. Attorney’s Office. A complete listing of off-campus work-study agencies can be found at: http://www.colorado.edu/studentemployment/offcampus/employers.html. The Student Employment Office, located in the University Memorial Center (Room 100), lists on and off-campus employment opportunities for students seeking work-study and non work-study positions. These jobs can also be found at: http://www.colorado.edu/studentemployment/jobs.html. Positions are available on a self-referral basis, whereby students contact the employer directly for application information.
Many students are employed during their second and third years as research assistants for faculty members. These positions offer opportunities for in-depth learning in particular fields and for original work in developing areas of the law. In addition to employment in the School of Law, some second- and third-year students may find part-time outside employment to be compatible with the demands of law school; law-related employment may actually enhance the educational experience. In accordance with standards promulgated by the American Bar Association for accreditation of law schools, however, no student may work in excess of 20 hours per week while enrolled as a full-time student. The School of Law's Office of Career Services can also assist students in obtaining part-time hourly and summer employment as well as permanent employment for graduates.
Employment during the Summer
Students are also eligible to apply for the summer work-study program. Applications are available the first week of February each year. Summer application information, when available, can be found at: http://www.colorado.edu/finaid/. Watch for emails and advertisements with application instructions! You must apply for and be granted a work-study award before applying for work-study positions. Jobs are available on-campus and in approved off-campus work-study agencies (see above).
