Department of Criminal Justice
Criminal Justice Internship Program
Gain supervised, hands-on experience in a criminal justice setting while developing professional skills, exploring career options, and completing academic credit through CRIJ 4331.
Overview Requirements Application Process Featured Internship Agency Options Intern Responsibilities Required Forms Contact
Learn Through Professional Experience
A criminal justice internship is an intentional, supervised learning experience completed in a professional workplace. The purpose is to strengthen a student’s knowledge, sharpen practical skills, and provide direct exposure to the daily operations of a criminal justice-related organization.
Internships allow students to test their interest in a possible career field, observe the work of professionals, build workplace relationships, and learn about career opportunities that may not be visible in a traditional classroom setting.
Students completing the regular Criminal Justice Field Experience enroll in CRIJ 4331. Students pursuing the Crime Analysis Certificate may complete CRIJ 4332 Field Experience in Crime Analysis, when appropriate.
100
Required Agency Hours
Completed during the semester of enrollment
Internship Requirements
- Students must be in good academic standing and may not be on academic probation.
- The complete internship application packet must be approved before registration.
- Students are responsible for identifying and applying to a suitable agency.
- The Internship Program Coordinator may assist with agency suggestions but does not guarantee placement.
- All required forms must be completed and signed.
- The Waiver and Release of Liability must be notarized.
- Students must complete 100 agency hours during the semester in which they are enrolled.
- Internship hours may not be completed before enrollment in CRIJ 4331.
- Students must complete all course assignments and academic requirements.
✓
Approval Before Registration
Students may register for CRIJ 4331 only after the completed packet is reviewed and the placement is approved.
Employment Restriction
Students generally may not complete the internship with an agency that is also their full-time employer or by performing the same duties as their full-time employment. A student performing substantially different duties within the same organization must receive prior approval from the Internship Program Coordinator.
How to Begin an Internship
1
Identify an Agency
Research organizations and apply directly for an internship opportunity.
2
Obtain Acceptance
Ask the agency to complete the Verification of Internship Placement form.
3
Complete the Packet
Complete every required form, signature, and notarized waiver.
4
Submit for Review
Deliver the packet before the semester begins and before course registration.
5
Register and Begin
Register for CRIJ 4331 after approval and complete the required 100 hours.
Special Internship Opportunity Available Through Tarleton
Tarrant County Sheriff’s Office Intelligence Department Internship
Tarleton students may apply for a specialized internship with the Tarrant County Sheriff’s Office Intelligence Department. This opportunity provides qualified students with hands-on experience supporting real-world intelligence operations, public-safety monitoring, criminal-trend research, and the development of actionable intelligence products.
100
Hours Per Semester
2
Up to Two Academic Semesters
Part-Time
Unpaid Internship
Fall, Spring or Summer
Position Summary
The Tarrant County Sheriff’s Office Intelligence Department is seeking motivated junior- and senior-level undergraduate students to assist with intelligence activities affecting the local community and broader public-safety environment.
Interns may assist with monitoring protests and demonstrations, high-profile trials, dignitary visits, special events, criminal trends, emerging threats, and other critical incidents. The internship may also include reviewing specified recorded jail communications under direct supervision and preparing intelligence products.
Key Responsibilities
- Conduct open-source intelligence research, commonly referred to as OSINT.
- Monitor public-safety events, including demonstrations, trials, dignitary visits, and special events.
- Review specified recorded jail calls under direct supervision for potential intelligence value.
- Assist with intelligence reports, briefings, and visual intelligence products.
- Research criminal trends, emerging threats, and critical incidents.
- Attend meetings and complete assigned intelligence projects.
- Maintain strict confidentiality regarding sensitive law-enforcement information.
Required Qualifications
- Junior or senior standing at a partner university
- Major in Criminal Justice, Homeland Security, Data Analytics, Cybersecurity, or a related field
- Minimum 2.8 cumulative GPA
- Strong research, writing, and listening skills
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office
- United States citizenship
- At least 18 years of age
- Willingness and ability to complete fingerprinting and a comprehensive background investigation
Preferred Background
Interest or coursework in corrections intelligence, intelligence analysis, law enforcement, or public-event monitoring is preferred.
Mandatory Interview and Background Process
All candidates must successfully complete an interview, fingerprinting, and a comprehensive criminal background investigation before beginning the internship. This requirement is mandatory because interns may have access to sensitive law-enforcement information. Final offers are contingent upon successful completion of the interview and background process.
Tarleton Internship Approval Is Still Required
Selection by the Tarrant County Sheriff’s Office does not replace Tarleton’s internship approval process. Students must complete the Tarleton internship packet, receive placement approval, and register for the appropriate internship course before beginning internship hours.
Possible Internship Agencies
Law Enforcement
Police departments, sheriff’s offices, constable offices, state agencies, and federal law enforcement organizations
Courts
City, county, state, and federal courts, court administration, probation, and related judicial offices
Legal Offices
District attorney offices, public defender offices, city attorneys, and approved private law firms
Nonprofit Organizations
Approved criminal justice-related nonprofit organizations and nongovernmental agencies
All placements must be criminal justice-related and approved by the Internship Program Coordinator before registration.
Professional Responsibilities of Interns
- Confidentiality: Protect agency and client information and follow all applicable laws and agency procedures.
- Professional limitations: Do not exceed your training, authority, or assigned role.
- Intern identification: Clearly identify yourself as an intern in professional interactions and written work.
- Record keeping: Maintain accurate records and remain alert and observant during agency activities.
- Professional boundaries: Avoid dual relationships and seek guidance when boundaries may be unclear.
- Personal conduct: Maintain professional appearance, language, reliability, honesty, and ethical behavior.
- Harassment: Sexual harassment and romantic or sexual relationships connected to the internship are prohibited.
- Firearms and weapons: Carrying firearms or other weapons is prohibited unless specifically authorized in writing by both Tarleton and the sponsoring agency.
- Alcohol and drugs: Alcohol or drug use while on duty is prohibited and may result in dismissal.
- Agency vehicles: Written approval is required before operating an agency vehicle.
- Violations of law: Any investigation, citation, or arrest must be reported immediately to the agency and university coordinator.
- Absolute professionalism: Interns are expected to be dedicated, disciplined, reliable, capable, honest, and respectful both on and off duty.
- Agency standards: Students must follow all additional rules and procedures established by the placement agency.
Internships May Be Terminated
An agency is not obligated to accept or retain an intern. A placement may be terminated if the student is unsuitable, fails to meet internship requirements, violates agency or university expectations, or if continuation is not in the best interest of the student, agency, or university.
Forms Included in the Internship Packet
Internship Application
Provides student information, academic information, work history, career goals, and consent for agency background or character checks.
Responsibilities of Interns
Establishes the ethical, professional, behavioral, safety, confidentiality, and agency-conduct standards governing the placement.
Placement Verification
Confirms that the agency agrees to accept the student and identifies the internship dates, hours, agency contact, and authorized representative.
Liability Waiver
Documents the student’s acknowledgment of internship risks and must be signed and notarized before the placement begins.
Protect Sensitive Information
The internship application contains sensitive personal information. Do not email the completed application packet. Submit the completed packet by mail or deliver it in person to Dr. Casey Heath or the Department of Criminal Justice office.
Internship Program Coordinator
Contact the coordinator before the semester begins for questions about eligibility, placement approval, agency options, packet completion, course registration, or the Tarrant County Sheriff’s Office Intelligence Department opportunity.
Dr. William Casey Heath
Internship Program Coordinator
Office: O.A. Grant 358
Phone: 254-968-9279
Email: heath@tarleton.edu
Department of Criminal Justice
Attn: Dr. Casey Heath
Box T-0665
Stephenville, TX 76402
Prepare for Your Criminal Justice Internship
Download the application packet, identify a potential agency, and submit all required documentation before the semester begins.