To provide Texas A&M School of Law students interested in working in the fields of federal or state public service, public policy, and regulatory creation and enforcement meaningful opportunities to explore the unique role of the public sector lawyer in policymaking through an intensive externship and seminar capstone experience in Washington, D.C. or Austin, Texas during the spring semester. Through participation in the Residency Externship Program in Public Policy, students will gain valuable experience and understanding of the significant ethical, legal, moral, and political issues those in the public sector face every day, and learn about the regulatory and administrative processes of the public sector. They also will strengthen their Aggie Core Values and the Aggie network through the experience.

Kerry Kinirons, Adjunct Professor, Washington, D.C.

Kerry Kinirons teaches the Lawyer in Government seminar that is an integral part of the Residency Externship Program in Public Policy.  Professor Kinirons is the Assistant Vice Chancellor for Federal Relations for the Texas A&M System advocating on behalf of the 11 universities and eight state agencies of the Texas A&M University System before Federal agencies, the United States Senate, and United States House of Representatives on defense, homeland security, transportation, maritime, and research security issues. 

Prior to joining A&M, Professor Kinirons served in a variety of roles, including Staff Director, for the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Homeland Security, Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Response, and Communications, as well as the Subcommittee on Management, Investigations, and Oversight.  Professor Kinirons received her J.D. from Catholic University of America, Columbus School of Law, and her bachelor’s degree from American University.

How does the Residency Externship Program differ from other externship opportunities?
The Residency Externship Program in Public Policy is designed to give students significant legal experience in the public sector. The focus of the faculty-guided program is the role of the government lawyer in areas of policymaking—including promulgation of law, rulemaking, regulation, enforcement, and advocacy.

In addition to working full time at an entity engaged in policymaking, students will partake in a substantive seminar class that meets two nights a week with an adjunct expert in policymaking and complete a significant research paper or similar capstone project.

How many students may be admitted to the program?
Currently, we anticipate a limit of six (6) students in each of the program cities.  

Who is eligible?
The Program is open to 2L and 3L students with a minimum 3.0 cgpa who have completed the prerequisite courses for the Program.

How do I apply?
The application process opens on June 1.  Students are notified of their status in the Program by July 1.

Students accepted into the program must be prepared to discuss their placement interests with the director during the first week of September and must commit to at least two mandatory meetings during the fall semester before their placements begin.

How do I find my placement in Washington or Austin?
Students are responsible for identifying the areas in and entities for which they wish to work during the semester. Once those identifications are made, students may work with the director of the program of their choice to prepare their application materials, find the right match from existing and possible placement opportunities, and secure their externship.

Every effort will be made to find a placement that meets a student’s interest, but students who are accepted to the program may have to agree to participation in the program before their individual placement is finalized.

What if the position I am interested in requires a security clearance?
Some placements in the Washington, D.C., area may require a student to obtain a security clearance prior to beginning their externship. The security clearance process can take time so students may have to agree to participate in the program prior to securing their final placement.  

If you are interested in a placement that requires a security clearance, you should work quickly with the Program Director and your potential placement to complete the necessary paperwork.

Can I participate in student publications and other on-campus student activities during the semester program?
Students should consider whether participation in the program would restrict their participation in other on-campus activities such as moot court, clinics, and publications. For example, at this time, students may not be permitted to serve on the board of a student publication, but can still be active publications members.

What if I only have a limited number of pass/fail credits left?
Currently, the Law School places a cap of 18 credits that students may designate as Pass/Fail. Students interested in participating in the programs should meet with the Registrar to determine the number of usable credits they have left. Students will use up to 9 pass/fail credits as part of the  Program.

Is there a winter term course?
Yes, students accepted into the program must enroll in a graded winter term course designed to introduce them to government, ethics and the role of the extern in public policy. The course also introduces students to their host cities and gives students a chance to explore their placements in detail before the start of the spring semester.

Besides my placement, what else will I be doing during the spring semester?
Students in the program will take a course two evenings a week throughout the semester taught by faculty adjuncts with exceptional expertise in policymaking and working in the public sector. The seminar course explores government, ethics, and the role of the public sector extern and the many issues they encounter.  

In addition to the coursework, students will hear from guest speakers and visit government offices to learn more about law, rulemaking, and the public sector. Students will share their experiences at their various placements and discuss the elements of their work.  

Students also are required to submit weekly reflective journal entries, contribute to the program’s blog, attend networking events sponsored by or including members of the Aggie Network, and will be given tours to such historic landmarks as the White House, Pentagon, Capitol, and Library of Congress, among others.

Is there a writing component included in the program?
Students complete a faculty-guided significant research paper during their seminar. Students may use this paper to satisfy the Law School’s Rigorous Writing requirement.

What incidental costs are associated with the program?
Students participating in the program will be responsible for paying all relocation, housing, transportation, utilities, and meal expenses.

What if I have more questions?
Please contact Cecily Becker, Externship Program Director, at cbecker@law.tamu.edu if you have additional questions.