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Department of Criminal Justice Sciences

Internships in Criminal Justice

Take what you learn in the classroom and apply it to your future career.

All undergraduate criminal justice majors get to have an internship experience.

Internship Advisor

Steps to Follow

There are a lot of internship opportunities out there. You can do what inspires you most. Your experience can be at the local, state, or federal level. You can also intern near campus, your home community, or out of state. You can start your internship when you earn 60 credit hours.

  • 1.

    Discuss the process with your advisor.

    You, your academic advisor, and the intern coordinator will discuss the best time to do your internship and how many hours you want to take.

    Credit Hours

    Everyone is required to complete six credit hours of an internship. This is course CJS 398A01 and amounts to 240 work hours.

    You can also take an additional three or six credit hours of internship credit. This is course CJS 398A02 and amounts to 360 or 480 work hours.

    If you take additional hours, you can do them during the same semester with the same agency. You can also do additional hours during a different semester with the same or different agency.

    Your advisor will cover all this information during your regular advising sessions.

  • 2.

    Start researching what you want to do.

    There are so many opportunities in the criminal justice field.

    Where to Look

    Canvas: Check out the CJS Internships, Jobs & Careers, and Professional Development Spreadsheet in the CJS-STU-002 Canvas page. If you need access to this page, please email Megan.

    Your Own Research: You can always complete your own research. Think about what you want to do and what agency would be a good fit. This is an opportunity to learn about an agency and determine if it's a good career choice for you.

    Career Services: Career Services is a good place to find opportunities and learn about job fairs.

  • 3.

    Attend an internship meeting one year before your internship starts.

    After you meet with your academic advisor, you’ll have a plan of when to start your internship.

    You need to schedule a mandatory internship meeting with Megan Patterson, the Internship Coordinator, one year out from your internship. This meeting gives you more details about the internship process and applying. Schedule a meeting with her here: CJS Individual Internship Advising

  • 4.

    Complete the internship packet by the due date.

    Fall interns: Packet opens February 1 and closes February 28.

    Spring interns: Packet opens September 1 and closes September 30.

    Summer interns: Packet opens January 1 and closes January 31.

    Once you turn in your packet, we'll go through it and notify you of your next steps.

  • 5.

    Make the most of your internship experience.

    Many students get hired after completing their internship. With professionalism, a positive attitude, and a strong work ethic, you might find that your internship leads you to your future career.

Student Forms

 

Spring Internship Packet

Internship Packet for students who will be completing an internship during the spring semester. This packet will open on September 1 and close on September 30 each year.

Fall Internship Packet

Internship Packet for students who will be completing an internship during the fall semester. This packet will open on February 1 and close on February 28 each year.

Summer Internship Packet

Internship Packet for students who will be completing an internship during the summer semester. This packet will open on January 1 and close on January 31 each year.

    • Acknowledgement of Risk

      You will need to download this form to your computer or phone, save it, digitally sign it, and upload it to the designated field in your packet.

    • Clinical Vaccination and Testing Requirement

      You will need to download this form to your computer or phone, save it, digitally sign it, and upload it to the designated field in your packet.