Jumpstart your career! Combining Syracuse Law’s first-rate online classes and far-reaching Externship Program, Orange Flex allows J.D. residential students in good standing to spend their entire third and final year away from Syracuse and to satisfy graduation requirements with a supervised externship and up to 12 credits of online courses via JDinteractive, our fully interactive, online law degree program.
JDinteractive offers an array of online courses consisting of live and self-paced class sessions taught by College of Law faculty. The College’s long-established Externship Program features placements in New York City, Philadelphia, Atlanta, San Francisco, Washington, DC, and throughout the country. Additionally, skills-focused seminars are offered either in-person in some markets or online.
As externs, students gain valuable applied learning experience in judicial settings, law firms, corporate legal departments, government agencies, and non-profits.
Advantages of this 3L option:
- Accelerate your career by being “on the ground” and developing practical skills in the city of your choice one year from graduation.
- Strengthen your professional networks in the community in which you wish to work, particularly among Orange Law alumni who assist the Externship Program as placement hosts and seminar guests.
- Take advantage of the College’s online courses, developed and taught by Syracuse Law faculty who are national leaders in providing high-quality online education.
Frequently Asked Questions
[su_spoiler title=”Who is Eligible for Orange Flex?” open=”yes” style=”fancy” icon=”plus-circle”]
The program is open to third-year residential J.D. students in academic good standing who have earned at least 61 credits in the residential program and have not already earned more than six credits of externship.
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[su_spoiler title=”How does Orange Flex work?” open=”yes” style=”fancy” icon=”plus-circle”]
Students take up to 12 credits of JDinteractive classes online and 14 credits of externship and seminar in a location of their choosing for their final year of law school. Students will work with the Director of Externships to confirm an appropriate externship placement, which must be at least 100 miles outside of Syracuse.
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[su_spoiler title=”What externships placements qualify for Orange Flex?” open=”yes” style=”fancy” icon=”plus-circle”]
Orange Flex students enroll in a sponsored externship outside the Central New York region, defined as a market more than 100 miles from Syracuse. Students will work with the Director of Externships to confirm an appropriate externship placement.
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[su_spoiler title=”How are the externship and classes structured over the academic year?” open=”yes” style=”fancy” icon=”plus-circle”]
Students in the Orange Flex program typically take online courses and complete an externship placement and seminar in both fall and spring semesters. Externship hours are typically scheduled during the regular workday. Online course schedules vary. Some are offered on weekends, some during the evening hours, and some are offered weekday mornings.
Occasionally, students may find that a full semester of classes followed by or preceded by a full semester of externship and seminar works better for their personal circumstances. Students who prefer this option are encouraged to speak with the Director of Externships.
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[su_spoiler title=”How many credits are required to apply for Orange Flex?” open=”yes” style=”fancy” icon=”plus-circle”]
Eligibility for the Orange Flex program is limited to students in good standing who have completed at least 61 credits toward their J.D. degree.
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[su_spoiler title=”Can I take fewer than 12 online credits in my third year as part of this program?” open=”yes” style=”fancy” icon=”plus-circle”]
Yes. Orange Flex students can take up to 12 credits of online courses, but students who earn more than 62 credits in their first two years of law school can take fewer online credits to reach the 87 credits required for graduation.
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[su_spoiler title=”When can I apply for Orange Flex?” open=”yes” style=”fancy” icon=”plus-circle”]
Applications for Orange Flex must be submitted by January 31 of your 2L year: apply here.
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[su_spoiler title=”I have already completed six externship credits prior to my 3L year. Can I still apply for this program?” open=”yes” style=”fancy” icon=”plus-circle”]
Eligibility is limited to students who have not already earned more than six externship credits. This rule allows a student to do a summer externship in another city or a Central New York externship during a semester in which the student is also enrolled in residential courses.
A student who has already completed the standard Washington, DC or New York City programs during the regular academic year is not eligible for the Orange Flex option.
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[su_spoiler title=”What type of JDi courses are offered for 3L Orange Flex students via JDinteractive?” open=”yes” style=”fancy” icon=”plus-circle”]