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Criminal Justice Internship Program

Goals of the Internship Experience

The main goal of participating in an internship is to enhance the student’s understanding of the “real” work environment of a criminal justice agency. There are many complexities, nuances, and subtleties that cannot be explained or conveyed in a classroom. In addition to this main purpose, there are several common goals that can be achieved by engaging in an internship, to include:

· Developing self-directed learning skills

· Applying classroom knowledge in a professional setting

· Acquiring valuable knowledge and experience in the field of criminal justice

· Engaging in personal development

· Evaluating interests in particular career paths

Not only does the student benefit from the internship experience, but also the University and the Agency benefit by creating and maintaining cooperative training experiences that utilize the strengths of both the University and the specific criminal justice setting in the development of qualified criminal justice practitioners. Additionally, this community network assists in bridging the gap between classroom theories and practice.

Students participating in internships through the TCU Criminal Justice Program will benefit both personally and professionally from their experiences, as the internship may challenge previously held values and beliefs, as well as serve as a vehicle for job placement in some instances.

Guidelines for Students

· Students wishing to enroll in the Internship Seminar course (CRJU 40963) must complete an Internship Application form.

· The application must be returned to the Internship Director for screening prior to the semester one plans to enroll in the course.

· Graduating seniors are given first priority for enrollment in the seminar course and participation in an internship. If any seats remain available, seniors graduating in subsequent semesters are given second priority, with juniors being last.

· Internships must be conducted during the semester the student is enrolled in the course (i.e. fall or spring). Students may complete some or all of their internship fieldwork during the summer and then enroll for the course the following fall semester, but only with prior permission from the Internship Director.

· Students are encouraged to make contacts with criminal justice agencies and arrange for internships on their own. However, many students have no idea who to contact or how to get started in the search. The Internship Director maintains a list of agencies and organizations that have provided internships to TCU students in the past. Upon request, the Internship Director will provide students with contact information for agencies that are aligned with student interests, as declared on the internship application form.

· A closed class permit is required before students can enroll in the internship seminar course. This permit will only be issued to those who pass the initial screening and meet requirements for enrollment.

Internship Opportunities

The Criminal Justice Internship Program offers students a wide variety of professional organizations at which to intern, and it is the goal of the program to maintain ties with criminal justice agencies in the community and to seek out new opportunities for students.

Here are just a few examples of the agencies at which TCU Criminal Justice majors have interned:

Federal Agencies

Department of Defense, Criminal Investigation Services
U.S. Department of Transportation, Office of Inspector General
Department of Homeland Security

State Agencies

Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission
Texas Department of Criminal Justice, Parole Division
Texas Council on Offenders with Mental Impairments

Local Agencies

Arlington Police Department
Bedford Police Department
Bell Helicopter
Criminal District Court #1, Judge Sharen Wilson
Dallas Police Department
Disabled Crime Victims’ Assistance, Inc.
ER Investigative Services (private investigation)
Fort Worth Police Department
Haltom City Police Department
Tarrant County Community Supervision and Corrections Department (adult probation)
Tarrant County District Attorney’s Office
Tarrant County Juvenile Services
Tarrant County Pretrial Services
Tarrant County Sheriff’s Department
Texas Inmate Services (local, non-profit)
The Women’s Center of Tarrant County (victims’ services)