Mansfield University Home Page > Criminal Justice Administration Home Page > Internships
The Department of Criminal Justice Administration strongly encourages all students to enroll in our internship program, with a recommended duration of 12 weeks, though internships may be scheduled for 6 or 12 weeks. Internships are arranged under the course CJA 4450: Internship in Criminal Justice Administration.
An internship is an opportunity to integrate career related experience into an undergraduate education by participating in planned, supervised work. What is one of the first questions a potential employer will ask? You probably already know the answer, "What experience do you have?"
Why Should I Pursue an Internship?
There are many reasons why a student should complete an internship. The most important reason is to gain real experience that will help you choose the correct career. Another reason is to gain valuable experience in a field of your choice. The knowledge gained will better prepare you for future employment
When Can I Pursue an Internship?
A student is able to schedule an internship when they have approximately 90 earned credits prior to the start of the internship. The intention is that the internship is a culmination experience combining book learning with real work experience. To qualify for an internship, a student must have a minimum overall QPA of 2.0 and a minimum QPA of 2.0 in criminal justice degree classes.
FORMS
1) Internship Application
2) Agency Affiliation Agreement
3) Student Performance Evaluation
APPLICATION PROCESS
A student first needs to speak with a criminal justice professor to discuss their interests. The student and the advisor will work together to find an internship that will best benefit the student. The student will need to decide on a full-time internship for 12 credits or a part-time internship for 6 credits. Once the internship site (agency) is determined, the student will contact the agency supervisor. After meeting and speaking with the agency supervisor, the student will complete the Internship Application and get the supervisor's signature. If Mansfield University does not have an Affiliation Agreement on file with this agency, the agency will also need to complete and sign the Affiliation Agreement form. After all of the paperwork has been completed, the advisor will review the information. Once reviewed, the paperwork will be sent to the Academic Records office for acceptance. The most important thing to remember is to get all the paperwork filled out and signed before the deadline:
March 15 for summer & fall internships
November 1 for spring internships
For more information about internships and affiliation agreements, visit the Career Center website (internship & employer information).
Where Can I Pursue an Internship?
You and your advisor will work together to find an internship placement that is right for you. A criminal justice student has many options to choose from, but is not limited to:
Adult Probation
District Attorney's Office
Juvenile Detention
Juvenile Probation
Police Department
Prison Systems
Security
Sheriff's Office
Youth Services
Tyler R. Morse spent the 2011 spring semester in Harrisburg, PA, participating in The Harrisburg Internship Semester (T.H.I.S.) program. Tyler was chosen as Mansfield University's representative and was one of fourteen college students selected for this prestigious internship sponsored by the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education.
"My internship with the Pennsylvania Department of State's, Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs legal office was fantastic. I was given great opportunities and taught essential skills that will be invaluable to me in the future. While working for the state agency, I was treated as another employee and not as an intern. I was given my own workload which included analyzing and summarizing many meetings for the twenty-nine different licensure boards in Pennsylvania. My favorite aspect of the internship was attending court cases. During my internship, I viewed well over twenty court cases relating to professional misconduct. I was even able to work with various prosecuting attorneys, helping them prepare their cases. By directly working with the attorneys, I was able to see first hand the hard work and preparation that an attorney gives to a case.
The program gave me the opportunity to intern with the Pennsylvania Department of State, Pennsylvania Board of Probation and Parole, or the Joint State Government Commission. I chose the PA Dept. of State because the agency offered me varied opportunities in the field of criminal justice and opportunities to work with other agencies as well. I believe my internship in Harrisburg was beneficial and tremendously worthwhile. I am very grateful to have had this opportunity."
Mr. Joshua Battin, Program Director
212 Pinecrest Manor
(570) 662-4493
Dr. John Mansfield, Department Chair
209 Pinecrest Manor
(570) 662-4483
Gayle M. Thompson, Secretary
213 Pinecrest Manor
(570) 662 - 4661
Open the original version of this page.
Usablenet Assistive is a UsableNet product. Usablenet Assistive Main Page.