This page is designed to assist students who want to obtain internship credit (CJ 490) to fulfill elective hours toward their CJC degree. Internship is the best way to sample a particular occupation before making it a career. (Note: CJ 490 is only offered during the summer term)
Course Description
The placement of an individual into a criminal justice agency (police, probation, courts, jails) to observe and participate in its operation. Grading is Credit /No Credit only. (PR: Consent of the instructor; GPA of 2.5 or better)
To Qualify for Internship (CJ 490)
- The student must have junior or senior status
- The student must have a 2.5 GPA overall and in the major
- The students must have completed half of their CJ course hours (at least 15 hours)
Internship Types and Credit Hour Options
Type A
Paid or non-paid 3 credit hour internship (most internships do NOT pay)
Type B
Professional internship (i.e., current CJ employment)
Type C
Graduate internship (CJ 590)
Type D
4-6 credit hour internship
Course Requirements for Each Internship Type
Type A
For 3 credit hours, interns are expected to complete 135 hours of service with the criminal justice agency, meet with the internship director (as needed), submit 8 journals (3 pages, double-spaced), evaluation from the agency, evaluation, a career services profile.
Type B & C
In a professional internship the student must demonstrate that he/she is involved in a different division within the current occupation or go beyond the current job requirements by taking on new or additional responsibilities in order to qualify. In addition to the requirements stated for Type A, the student seeking a professional or graduate level internship is required to complete a term paper.
Type D
Students seeking a 4 credit hour internship or higher are required to complete additional hours, additional journals, plus a term paper. For example, a 4 credit hour internship involves 180 hours of service, 11 journals, and a term paper, in addition to the agency evaluations and career services profile.
Getting Started: The Internship Process
Step 1
Secure an internship with a local agency or agency in your home town; it is your responsibility to locate/contact an agency on your own.
Step 2
Complete an Internship Application and attach a copy of your resume.
On the application you will need to calculate your GPA for the major.
List all CJ courses you have taken, the following is just an example:
| Course | Grade | Quality Pts. | X | Credit Hrs. | = | Total Quality Pts. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CJ 200 | B | 3 | X | 3 | = | 9 |
| CJ 211 | A | 4 | X | 3 | = | 12 |
| CJ 231 | D | 1 | X | 3 | = | 3 |
| CJ 325 | B | 3 | X | 3 | = | 9 |
| CJ 322 | C | 2 | X | 3 | = | 6 |
| 15 | 39 |
39/15 = 2.60 GPA in the CJ Major
Step 3
Make an appointment with the Internship Director for that semester as soon as possible; at this time you will return your application form and resume. (Note: The Internship Director may change from one semester to another, so look for the name of the instructor that is assigned to teach the course on the summer course schedule).
Step 4
Upon approval you will receive a ‘permission to enroll slip’ by the Internship Director for that semester in order to register for the course. More details about the course will follow during the scheduled appointment.
Internship is an Experience
The internship experience will allow students to:
- Network with other criminal justice agencies
- See how the criminal justice system works first-hand
- Make connections and acquire additional references
- Develop a career path and career opportunities
Contacting an Agency
Remember professionalism counts when contacting an agency for internship. As a student, you represent not only Marshall University but the criminal justice program as well.