The purposes of the Prosecutorial Externship course are to develop practical litigation skills, to give practical experience in researching legal topics, to increase understanding of the criminal justice system, and to improve writing, advocacy, and negotiation skills.

The class meets on a bi-weekly basis. Students are required to work eight hours per week at their placement, which may be in either the Commonwealth Attorney's office or the County Attorney's office. In their placement, students work closely with prosecuting attorneys assigned to them by the instructor. They assist in criminal prosecutions under the State's third-year student practice rule. Students must maintain a placement activity log, and prepare a short paper evaluating their internship experience. The course is offered on a two-hour pass-fail basis. Enrollment is limited to 12 students.

This externship is only open to students who are eligible for admission to the Kentucky bar under Supreme Court Rule 2.540, the limited student practice rule. A student is eligible for admission under this rule only if, at the time the course is taken, the student will have completed 60 hours of law study (59 hours for students who will be receiving credit for co-curricular courses). Students registering for this course must complete and have notarized a legal intern application form prior to the end of the examination period preceding the semester for which the student will be taking the course The application is available on the law school website (under “Current Students”) and from the Registrar’s office.