College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences

Humanities and Communication

Course-based opportunities

Beginning in Fall 2020 students can take courses to help build key skills to be successful as students and professionals.

Legal Studies

  • This is a course designed specifically for students who are interested in exploring law school after completing their undergraduate degree. Open to all students--at all levels and in all majors--this course explores the roles of attorneys in society, how to prepare for law school success, the law school application process (including preparing for the Law School Admissions Test-LSAT), and various career opportunities for attorneys--from civil to criminal law.

Legal Studies Internships

Students interested in attending law school might consider an internship to explore what working in the legal field is all about. At CSUMB there are two kinds of internships--ones you obtain for personal and professional enrichment or ones you pursue for academic credit. See below for more details about your options, and some resources for how to begin your search.

If you want to explore internship options on your own--whether during the semester or during winter or summer breaks, you can certainly do so. Some internships are paid, others are not, so do you homework as you begin the process of exploring your options

To find out more, check out the the Career Development website which advertises possible internship opportunities in our region.

For more information, see the Academic Internships website and/or contact the CSUMB pre-law advisor, Dr. David A. Reichard at dreichard@csumb.edu

If you want to explore internship options for academic credit, there are a few options offered in the School of Humanities and Communication which might be of interest to pre-law students. These include:

  • Provides students an opportunity to earn academic credit for a hands-on learning experience in the community, in any area related to legal studies. Working with the course instructor, students research and secure their own internship sites, then complete 100 hours on site. Students in past semesters have interned with local non-profit organizations, law firms, the Monterey County District Attorney's office, the Public Defender, local police departments, courts and other agencies.

  • HCOM 498 is a partnership between HCOM and local civil legal aid organizations. After several weeks of workshops and hand-on training sessions, students complete internships with such organizations as the Watsonville Law Center, Legal Services for Seniors, California Rural Legal Assistance and the United Farm Workers Foundation. They gain valuable experience working with clients and local attorneys while helping to close a significant justice gap in the community--where clients in need far outnumber those providing accessible and affordable legal services.

    For more information about Legal Studies and Pre Law opportunities visit the Pre Law Advising page.

How to Start the Search

Whether you're pursuing a professional enrichment or academic internship, the resources below are a great starting point to help you find the right opportunity.


Click below to explore your options. ⬇️

Internship Opportunities

If you're looking to gain real-world experience in the legal field while earning academic credit, there are several exciting pre-law internship opportunities available to you.

These options can help you explore potential career paths, strengthen your law school applications, and connect with professionals in the field. ⚖️

Academic Internships

These options provide academic credit for the learning experience.

Please click the dropdown below to explore more! ⬇️

  • HCOM 398: Legal Studies Internship

    Provides students an opportunity to earn academic credit for a hands-on learning experience in the community, in any area related to legal studies. Working with the course instructor, students research and secure their own internship sites, then complete 100 hours on site. Students in past semesters have interned with local non-profit organizations, law firms, the Monterey County District Attorney's office, the Public Defender, local police departments, courts and other agencies.

    HCOM 498: Legal Aid Internship

    HCOM 498 is a partnership between HCOM and local civil legal aid organizations. After several weeks of workshops and hand-on training sessions, students complete internships with such organizations as the Watsonville Law Center, Legal Services for Seniors, California Rural Legal Assistance and the United Farm Workers Foundation. They gain valuable experience working with clients and local attorneys while helping to close a significant justice gap in the community--where clients in need far outnumber those providing accessible and affordable legal services.

    For more information about Legal Studies and Pre Law opportunities visit the Pre Law Advising page.

Internship Placement

The Office of Internships maintains the current forms required to place you at an internship site. Remember, your instructor must pre-approve any internship site. And, please consult your internship instructor before completing any of these forms.

For sites that ARE currently long term partners of CSUMB and are found in the CSUMB Placement database, you should use this Learning Plan Agreement form.

For sites that ARE NOT currently long term partners of CSUMB and cannot be found in the CSUMB placement database, you should use this Short Term Placement Agreement form.

For ALL PLACEMENTS you must complete the Release of Liability form.

If you have any questions about internships, contact the HCOM Chair Dr. Sam Robinson at sarobinson@csumb.edu.