Internships

A forensic science/crime scene investigation internship is a unique opportunity to gain practical, hands-on work experience in a professional environment.

Students can earn college credit, gain professional work experience and network with professionals in their field. This is your chance to make contributions to an organization and to demonstrate your potential value as a full-time employee after graduation. Internships take place either during the fall or spring semester. All students are invited to apply for the internship course that supports you in your application to and completion of an internship. Space in the course is limited each term and requires submission of a timely application to the designated Internship Coordinator. Most internship opportunities in the criminal justice field are competitive and have an application process.

Internship Course Eligibility

• Forensic Science/CSI applicants must have:
  
  • 90 hours at the end of term prior to internship
  • Cumulative GPA 3.0
  • GPA of 3.0 in forensic science classes
  • Completion of six forensic science classes
  • Interview with Internship Coordinator
  • Faculty Recommendation
  • Confirmed internship site
    
    
• All 4+1 students are required to complete an internship and are given priority in placement into the internship course
• Fall applications are due late January of the previous semester
• Spring applications are due early October of the previous semester

Internship Site Eligibility

• Complete internship course application
• Meet with Internship Coordinator to determine site eligibility

Factors Affecting Eligibility

Factors for internships and employment are agency-dependent considerations. Students have some control over and should be aware of these factors to be employable in the CJ/FS fields. Some factors to consider may include:

• Vision requirements
• Physical fitness requirements
• Tattoo visibility
• Social media posts
• Completion of drug testing, polygraph examinations, psychological screening, physical and medical examinations
• Background checks
  • drug usage
  • criminal history
  • driving records
  • credit history
  • personal associations
  • and/or past work performance

Benefits of an Internship

An internship in criminal justice or forensic science/crime scene investigation provides you with the opportunity to:

• Gain valuable work experience in your area of interest before graduating to enhance your resume 
• Find out about additional job possibilities
• Develop your intellectual, problem-solving and leadership skills
• Network with professionals in the FS/CSI field
• Gain a sense of self-confidence and professionalism
• Bring classroom theory and learning to life in a real-world experience
• Increase your job marketability in the FS/CSI field
• Clarify your interests, narrow your focus, and define your career goals