Introduction to the Justice Studies Internship (Experiential Learning Core Competency [F]):
The internship is an integral part of the Justice Studies undergraduate program. As of Fall 2006, all JS majors are required to complete a THREE unit internship course. The internship experience is designed to provide a broad exposure to the operations of a variety of justice-related agencies and organizations, including courts, law enforcement agencies, law offices, nonprofit organizations and community based programs. The internship student gains knowledge of the structure, goals, and work procedures of the agency/office by participating in activities and observations in the internship setting, and applies that knowledge to the completion of a paper on the internship experience that bridges theory and practice. Students are required to spend a minimum of 120 hours in the internship setting. For the specific requirements, view the JS 170 syllabus. The internship is limited to Justice Studies Department majors and minors. The internship fulfills the Core Competencies ‘F’ of your JS major requirements.
If you plan on registering for JS 181 Internship, and your agency of interest is not on the approved internship list on the JS website, then you need to have it cleared beforehand.
In order to get pre-approval for an unapproved internship, please email and provide the Department Chair, Dr. Mark Correia, with your potential supervisor contact info. (Please note that if you want to intern at a For-Profit agency, they have to pay you at least minimum wage in accordance with labor laws. The only exception is if the For-Profit agency provides a specific training program for interns). Let the agency supervisor know that she will be contacting them about the course requirements. If an agreement is reached that the agency can meet our course requirements, then she will send you an email that gives you approval. Save this email, for you will need a copy of this to submit with your Student Internship Agreement form and the Pre-Registration form. You will not receive an add code unless you 1) take an approved JS internship or 2) have an email from the internship coordinator stating that your off-the-list internship meets our requirements.
Students may also fulfill this major requirement through the combination of JS 140 and JS 141.
Please note, we no longer accept waivers for the internship requirement.
Course Objectives
Observation and experience in or related to the community or professional agencies related to justice studies.
Practical experience in the use of skills and techniques necessary for a successful career.
To provide critical supervision, guidance, and feedback for the students as they gain experience in the agency.
Professional and intellectual development in the Justice Studies field by successfully integrating theory and practice in a real world, justice-related setting.
Contact Information
For more information about the Internship Program or if you have any questions, feel free to contact the Department Chair, Dr.Mark Correia.
For more about our department and potential career options, download the JS Fact Sheet 2012 (PDF) or the JS Information Sheet 2012 (PDF)
