Credit for student organised interstate and international placements

Students can apply for a self-sourced interstate Clinical Placement (LAW4803) or an international placement (LAW4815) Applicants are advised to ensure they understand the requirements of this process before submitting the form.

Students are required to understand the following conditions attached to the Faculty's approval process:

• Applications must be received a minimum of four weeks prior to the commencement of the relevant clinical period, in order for the Faculty to properly consider the application and make contact with the industry partner.
• You cannot be enrolled in LAW4803/LAW4815 Clinical Placement if you are being paid an income by the organisation or the industry partner for the placement or if you have worked previously for payment in the organisation or the industry partner.
• You may not be eligible for LAW4803/LAW4815 if your placement is provided under an already existing clerkship program with an organisation or Industry partner in Australia. This is because the industry partner’s program may have different selection criteria and different objectives to ours. It is up to the CE to make that decision based on the information provided in the application and if required, further discussion with the partner about the validity of the placement for credit.
• You cannot receive credit for LAW4803/LAW4815 Clinical Placement retrospectively.
• Please note that all placements must be face to face. No online placements will be accepted.
• If accepted into the unit you will need to provide us with evidence of your face to face attendance (Boarding pass for travel, travel booking confirmation, etc)

LAW4803 Clinical Placement (6 Credit Points)/LAW4815 International Clinical Placements (6 Credit Points)

1. Check your eligibility to apply for this unit

• be enrolled in the Bachelor of Laws (or any Bachelor of Laws double degree) or the Juris Doctor (JD) in the Faculty of Law at Monash University
• at the time of application for this unit students enrolled in the LLB or JD programs must have completed 72 credit points for LLB and 72 credit points for JD programs to access electives and achieved a minimum credit (60%) average across their law studies.
• have the ability to complete the placement without compromising law studies or examination periods.
• be available on return to commit to marketing and promotional activities, including future use of profiles and reports in marketing material.

2. Understand the approval criteria

In order for a student to be approved for a self sourced Interstate/International placement both of the following criteria must be met:

1. Supervision – The student must be able to identify and name the industry partner supervisor. A designated member of Law Faculty staff (either professional or academic) must have the opportunity to discuss the opportunity with the industry partner supervisor prior to its commencement in order to ensure that the supervisor understands the educational goals of the placement and the unit outcomes. The supervisor must agree to play this role throughout the placement/project and be the contact point for the Faculty.

2. Content - The student must be able to describe the work to be performed and an evaluation must be made by a designated member of Law Faculty staff of the appropriateness of the work required of the student. As part of that evaluation, the Law Faculty needs to be satisfied that the placement meets each of the following criteria:

• There is close professional supervision of the student
• There is active engagement in law-related work for one day a week for a period of 12 weeks or the equivalent amount of daily attendances.
• The work is for an end client. This could be an individual or individuals, a community organisation or the government of a country.

3. Understand the required commitment

The duration of the placement must be the equivalent of 12 full day attendances over a period of 12 consecutive weeks or the equivalent amount of daily attendances, plus and extra half day per week equivalent in students own time for follow up work. It must take place during the dates of a ‘clinical period’. For information as to the upcoming clinical periods, see https://www.monash.edu/law/home/cle-2/clinical-placement-offerings

4.Understand how the unit will be assessed (both UG and PG)

LAW4803 Clinical Placement (both UG and PG)

1. Reflective e-portfolio - UG: 2000 words total (40%); PG: 3000 words total (40%)
2. Video case report - UG: 5-7 minute video (40%); PG: 8-10 minute video (40%)
3. Satisfactory completion at the host organisation and seminar participation (20%)

• Two reflective submissions over clinical period worth 20% each submission - UG: 1000 words each; PG: 1500 words each

• A video providing a description and more detailed analysis of legal/ethical issues raised by the student's placement. These issues could relate to a case worked on by the student or a policy matter addressed by the student.

• Both UG and PGFull attendance at host organisation (with the exception of special circumstances) and satisfactory participation is expected. Input for this will be provided by the host organisation as to your actual attendance for the clinical period and active participation whilst in attendance via a host organisation report. This part of the mark focuses on assessing the skills and knowledge that you gain in your placement work. It also acknowledges the value of the work that you perform whilst on placement.
• This aspect of the unit focuses mainly on Learning Outcome 4 of this unit"Demonstrate practical legal skills as appropriate to the clinical placement undertaken"
• Assessment will be completed via Moodle.

5. Forms and applications

1. Application (online google form)

Complete the online application. Law Student Services will make an initial assessment on eligibility and then forward the application to the Director Work Integrated Learning for review and approval. If approved you will receive notification by email. You will be enrolled into either of the units in a clinical period dependent on the timing of your placement.

After the Faculty of Law approves your international placement, please contact Monash Abroad by emailing monashabroad.enquiries@monash.edu. Use the subject line ‘International Placement Registration - YOUR NAME’ so they can register your placement details and get you to complete any additional requirements.