A juridical education consists of two parts, the program and an internship. The University program lasts nine semesters and is completed when the student has passed the first juristisches Staatsxamen (State law exam). At this point, students are awarded a Diplom.
At the different stages of the following two-year internship, students must complete internships at various obligatory and elected stations. At the end of the internship period, students must pass the second juristisches Staatsxamen. Only those who have successfully completed both cycles will qualify as a Volljurist (Assessor), which enables them to be appointed to judgeships, general upper-level civil service, or to practice other careers in law.