Criminology Internships

An internship serves to bridge theory with clinical and practical experiences within the various components of the criminal justice system. FDU has partnered with over 115 federal, state, and local criminal justice agencies, as well as with numerous private, non-profit, and non-governmental organizations.

“THE LADDER OF SUCCESS IS BEST CLIMBED BY STEPPING ON THE RUNGS OF OPPORTUNITY”​ – Ayn Rand

EDUCATION

Expand your education in the Criminology field by taking your studies outside the classroom.

“EDUCATION IS THE MOST POWERFUL WEAPON WHICH YOU CAN USE TO CHANGE THE WORLD” – Nelson Mandela

EXPERIENCE

Get hands on experience working in real work environments. You’ll get to know the ins and outs of careers you’ll encounter after completing your studies.

“THE ONLY SOURCE OF KNOWLEDGE IS EXPERIENCE” – Albert Einstein

NETWORKING

Work aside industry professionals and form lasting connections that will help shape your education and career.

“NETWORKING IS AN ESSENTIAL PART OF BUILDING WEALTH” – Armstrong Williams

Internship Opportunities
Click on each internship title to download applications and information.
Available Opportunities
  • Students interested in internships at the ATF should go to the website link for all information. 

    Briefly though:

    • Student volunteer positions are unpaid, students must be enrolled at least ½ time in an accredited college/university, maintain at least a 2.0 GPA, and must successfully complete a background investigation prior to commencing internships.
    • Students can be placed in the Woodland Park Field Office, Camden Field Office, and at the NJ Regional Operations Intelligence Center in West Trenton.
    • The ATF requires a minimum of two (2) days a week (Monday through Friday) and that the school sign off on the internship.

    Students must apply through the website directly.

    For more information, visit: http://www.atf.gov/careers/internships/

  • DEA student and intern programs focus on opening doors to the exciting world of law enforcement careers through pre-professional work experiences that are relevant, meaningful to your academic or career-related goals and from a variety of disciplines that DEA employs. This includes: accounting, acquisition, human resources, forensic chemistry, intelligence, investigations, information technology, telecommunications, and business management – just to name a few!

    Internship Requirements

    • Students interested in applying for jobs at DEA must be able to meet all DEA Employment Requirements and comply with DEA’s Drug Policy. They must be juniors and/or seniors and meet the following requirements:
    • Must be a U.S. citizen
    • Must be enrolled in an accredited college/university and carry at a minimum, a half-time course load as defined by the college/university
    • Must have an overall GPA of 2.50
    • Must be able to participate for one full semester at a minimum of 20 hours per week
    • Students may receive credit as determined by their college/university
    • General skills and abilities in one or more of the following areas and knowledge of the English language:
      • Analyze problems to identify significant factors
      • Gather pertinent data and recognize solutions
      • Plan and organize work
      • Familiar with Information Technology
      • Communicate effectively orally and in writing

    To apply, students should send a resume to:

    Yolanda Dixon (e-mail: Yolanda.x.dixon@dea.gov) (tel: 973-776-1100)

    For more information: https://www.dea.gov/index.shtml

  • The Department of Homeland Security offers a variety of prestigious scholarships, fellowships, internships and training opportunities to expose talented students to the broad national security mission.

    Secretary’s Honors Program

    It is a recruitment initiative for exceptional recent graduates interested in pursuing a career at DHS. The Secretary’s Honors Program offers professional development and training opportunities for talented entry-level professionals in the fields of cybersecurity, information technology, management, emergency management, policy and law within DHS.

    Pathways Programs

    The Pathways Programs offer clear paths to federal internships for students from high school through post-graduate school and to careers for recent graduates, and provide meaningful training and career development opportunities for individuals who are at the beginning of their federal service. As a student or recent graduate, you can begin your career in the federal government by choosing the path that best describes you and where you are in your academics.

    ​Health and Science

    These programs are designed to provide students with comprehensive, experimental, hands-on training in areas that support the mission and goals of the Department. Along with playing a vital role in securing our country and preserving our freedoms, these programs are an exciting professional growth opportunity to challenge the mind and cultivate skills and talents

    Intelligence and Analysis

    The Office of Intelligence and Analysis (I&A) Internship Program is for current degree-seeking undergraduate and graduate students looking to begin an exciting career in homeland security and intelligence. I&A offers internships in the functional areas of Intelligence Analysis, Intelligence Operations, Mission Readiness, Information Technology, and Data Science. The I&A Internship Program is designed to provide the experience and skills needed to produce capable and well-rounded Homeland Security intelligence professionals.

    Law Enforcement

    The Department of Homeland Security offers a number of programs to support students pursuing degrees in Criminal Justice, Criminology, or other law enforcement-related courses of study. These programs are designed to provide students with practical training and hands-on experience in Federal law enforcement activities that support the mission and goals of the Department. Along with playing a vital role in securing our country and preserving our freedoms, these programs are an exciting professional growth opportunity to challenge the mind and cultivate skills and talents.

    Legal

    The Department of Homeland Security offers a number of programs to support law students. These programs are designed to provide aspiring legal professionals with practical training and substantial individual responsibility in areas that support the mission and goals of the General Counsel’s Office. Along with gaining hands-on experience supporting the Department’s efforts to secure the Nation in a manner that is lawful and consistent with the civil rights and civil liberties of our citizens and residents, these programs are an exciting professional growth opportunity to challenge the mind and cultivate skills and talents.

    Public Affairs

    The Office of Public Affairs is responsible for managing external and internal communications. OPA responds to national media inquiries, maintains and updates the department’s website (DHS.gov), writes speeches for principals and coordinates speaking events for department officials. We foster strategic communication throughout the department and with external stakeholders. We manage the department’s organizational identity program, which includes use of the DHS seal and related guidelines. OPA oversees the department’s employee communication activities, which includes town hall meetings between management and employees, and an intranet site. Our incident communications program guides overall federal incident communication activity and coordinates with state, local, and international partners to ensure accurate and timely distribution of information to the public during a crisis.

  • Each summer, a special group of outstanding undergraduate and graduate students are selected to participate in the FBI Summer Internship Program in Washington, DC and all local field offices. The program offers students an exciting insider’s view of FBI operations and provides an opportunity to explore the many career opportunities within the Bureau. The program requires a 40 hour work week for 10 weeks beginning in June.

    • United States Citizenship
    • Undergraduate students must be between their junior and senior years attending college full time
    • Graduate students must be enrolled in a college or university attending full time
    • All applicants must be returning to their respective schools for at least one semester immediately following the completion of the internship
    • Students must be attending a college/university that is accredited and recognized by the US. Secretary of Education
    • Students must have a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or above on a 4.0 scale
    • Students must be in compliance with the FBI Drug Policy and Employment Disqualifiers

    The FBI Summer Internship Program is extremely competitive and available positions may vary from year to year.  Applications are generally accepted in October for the following summer.

    For more information, visit https://www.fbijobs.gov/

  • This foundation is dedicated to preventing wrongful convictions and exonerating those who are innocent but have been wrongfully convicted.  For further information on the organization, please see the website: http://www.deskovic.org/

    Interested students should e-mail their resume and cover letter directly to Jeffrey Deskovic at jeff@deskovic.org.

    Students should also include a separate word document of at least two paragraphs or more describing the following: 

    • Who the founder of the organization is (his story) and why he launched the organization; what the mission of the organization is; the four prongs; the types of cases the foundation takes on; and at least one difference between this foundation and other organizations in the field.
    • One to two paragraphs on why the mission of the organization is important to the student and why the student would want to intern with this foundation.

    For more information, visit: http://www.deskovic.org/

  • The New Jersey State Parole Board (SPB) Internship Program (IP) seeks to provide
    meaningful work-learning experiences to qualified individuals currently attending area
    colleges and universities, as well as graduates entering the job market, that will
    benefit both the individuals and the SPB. The IP provides individuals with the
    opportunity to put theory into practice while gaining an understanding of the SPB and
    exploring potential career options. The IP benefits the SPB by providing talented,
    enthusiastic individuals who bring new knowledge and skills to the workforce.

    Applications may be submitted via email to: SPB-StudentInternships@spb.nj.gov

  • A judicial internship allows you to gain real-world research, analytical and writing experience under the guidance of a judge/justice and current law clerk(s). You will gain exposure to a variety
    of substantive and procedural issues, and it is a great path to post-graduate judicial clerkships.

    To view other job openings in state government, visit 

    http://www.state.nj.us/csc/.

    https://www.njd.uscourts.gov/judicialchambers-internship

  • Interning with the New Jersey State Police offers a myriad of opportunities. Interns are afforded the chance to apply what they have learned in college while working alongside highly trained and
    knowledgeable New Jersey State Troopers. If you are pursuing a degree in accounting, biology, communications, social work, graphic arts, or technology to name a few, the New Jersey State Police has specialized units that can use your expertise and skills.

    For more information, visit: https://www.njsp.org/recruiting/internship-opportunities.shtml

  • The New Jersey Office of the Public Defender (NJOPD) offers students a hands-on experience working with attorneys, investigators, and staff in providing our clients the best possible legal representation. During their volunteer internships, students gain real-world experience assisting with investigations, client communication, research and writing, trial preparation, and advocacy, as well as excellent training and mentorship opportunities. Internship opportunities are available year-round, and statewide.

    For more information, visit https://www.nj.gov/defender/internships/index.shtml

  • The New York City Department of Probation (DOP) helps build stronger and safer communities by working with and supervising people on probation, fostering positive change in their decision-making and behavior, and expanding opportunities for them to move out of the criminal and juvenile justice systems. We are located in every borough across the City and provide three core services: pre-sentence investigations; intake; and probation supervision.

    Interns should be able to complete at least 8 to 10 hours of work per week, with a commitment of at least 3 months. They should have a GPA of at least 2.8. Must be enrolled in a course.

    For more information, visit https://www1.nyc.gov/site/probation/careers/internships.page

  • Student internships are available in the following units in the prison:

    • Fresh Start Program: Drug and Alcohol program for inmates who will be released to halfway houses or into the community. 
    • Special Investigation Department: Conduct investigations on inmates and staff.
    • Engaging the Family: Inmates meet with family members in a therapeutic setting to address familial issues prior to release.
    • Community Release: Prepare inmates for release to halfway houses. 

    Internships are available in the Fall and Spring and occasionally in the Summer. Students should e-mail a resume and cover letter (which indicates what the student’s area of interest is, e.g. Fresh Start Program) to the following:

    Jacqueline Rivera, Internship Coordinator at Jacqueline.Rivera@doc.nj.gov

  • There are several units in which a student can intern. 

    • Investigations
    • Computer Crimes
    • Major Crimes (Homicide)
    • Fraud
    • Narcotics
    • Special Victims (Sex Crimes)
    • Hi-tech crimes
    • Arson
    • Intelligence

    Internships are available in the Fall, Spring and Summer. Students should e-mail a resume and cover letter (which indicates what the student’s area of interest is), e.g. to the following:

    Detective Thomas Barstow, Director of Internship Program
    Phone: 732-929-2027, ext. 3258
    E-mail: tbarstow@co.ocean.nj.us

  • The Ombudsman’s role has a long and honorable tradition as a means of protecting against abuse, bias and other improper treatment or unfairness. The Office of the Corrections Ombudsman provides a mechanism for the continuing resolution of issues, problems or complaints of inmates sentenced within New Jersey’s correctional system regarding their living conditions and other matters.

    The office investigates complaints when an inmate has failed to get satisfactory results through available institutional channels.

    Serving as a designated neutral, the Corrections Ombudsman is an advocate for fairness who also acts as a source of information and referral, aids in answering questions and assists in the resolution of concerns during critical situations.

    Unpaid Internships

    This office is currently seeking college students who are willing to work flexible hours and assist with the daily operations.

    Interested candidates may contact Michelle Berry at (609) 633-2596 to schedule an interview or obtain additional information. 

    For more information, visit: http://www.nj.gov/correctionsombudsman/

  • There are several units in which a student can intern.  They include the following:

    • Forfeiture
    • Major Crimes
    • Narcotics
    • Sex Crimes
    • Computer Crime
    • Family Division
    • Trial Division
    • Victim/Witness Unit

    Summer internships are available only at this time. Please e-mail your resume and cover letter to the following e-mail address: mcponj.org.

  • The Department of Public Safety, Fairleigh Dickinson University Florham Campus, is in operation 24 hours a day, 365 days per year and is comprised of motivated, trained and caring personnel. All are dedicated and committed to the protection of the lives, safety and welfare of students, faculty, staff and visitors to the University.

    Students interested in interning for Public Safety should go in person to the Department and ask to speak with Assistant Director Kowalksi.  Please bring a resume with you.  Thank you.

  • The Office of Public Affairs offers internships that provide undergraduate and graduate students an opportunity to work in a fast-paced government communications office. As the principal point of contact for the Department of Justice with the news media, the office is responsible for ensuring that the public is informed about the department’s activities, and the priorities and policies of the Attorney General with regard to law enforcement and legal affairs.

    Eligibility

    All applicants for an internship must be United States citizens.  All students who apply must have graduated from high school and be enrolled as an undergraduate or graduate student during the internship.

    For more information, visit: https://www.justice.gov/opa/internships

  • The Student Volunteer Service Program (Internship) program is designed to provide students enrolled in a wide variety of educational institutions, from high school to graduate level, with opportunities to work in agencies and explore Federal careers while still in school and while getting paid for the work performed. Students who successfully complete the program may be eligible for conversion to a permanent job in the civil service. Additional information about the Internship Program can be found at USAJOBS (external link). Here are some key provisions of the Internship Program.

    Eligibility

    • Be a U.S. Citizen
    • Be enrolled or accepted for enrollment during the upcoming semester or quarter as certificate/degree seeking student in an educational institution that is accredited by a recognized accrediting body
    • Receive college credit for the internship
    • Obtain an agreement from the institution to participate
    • Maintain a satisfactory academic record of a 2.5 or better cumulative grade point average
    • Complete an minimum of 120 hours of service during the selected semester
    • Students may be appointed based on the results of a background investigation

    For more information, visit: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/hiring-information/students-recent-graduates/#url=intern

    https://www.opm.gov/

    For any further questions please contact the Newark Field Office at (973) 971-3100.

  • Unpaid Internship

    Judiciary internships give students exposure to the most visible part of our legal system, the courts.   Based upon their academic training and interests, as well as the availability of assignments, judiciary interns may work in various courthouse locations including the criminal, family, or administrative divisions, probation services, or a judge’s chamber.  Students gain work experience by performing daily tasks and acquire skills in conducting legal research and writing.  They learn about the nature of the judiciary’s work by observing court proceedings and interacting with judges, prosecutors, lawyers, and support staff. 

    Internships are unpaid and students may or may not receive credit from their college or university.  Internships may begin at any time throughout the year without time limitation and all interns must comply with the Judiciary Background Check Policy for Employees and Interns. Applicants should contact Jennifer Kasny in  the Human Resources Division of Vicinage 10, Morris/Sussex at 862.397.5700; x75049 or Jennifer.Kasny@njcourts.gov for more information. 

    Internship assignments are available in the following areas, as well as Human Resources & the Municipal Division.

    • DRUG COURT, CRIMINAL DIVISION: The Drug Court Program is designed to address the specific needs of drug addicted offenders.  Interns provide administrative support to the Drug Court Team including processing client applications, recording participants’ placement in treatment, preparation and maintenance of case files and preparing, copying and distributing weekly court orders.  Interns attend weekly Drug Court meetings and participate in case conferencing and court hearings. 
    • CRIMINAL DIVISION CASE MANAGEMENT: Criminal case management supervises the adult offender’s case through the criminal court process.  Interns will observe defendants’ intake interviews conducted in the courthouse and assist probation officers, supervisors, judges and staff with the preparation of case files.  Interns will have an opportunity to observe court proceedings and assist probation officers and staff with their administrative duties including case scheduling, case processing and document preparation and distribution.
    • CHILDREN IN COURT, FAMILY DIVISION: Children in Court refers to cases involving children in placement.  Interns will observe confidential child placement, abuse and/or neglect and termination of parental rights proceedings in court. Interns will assist with the scheduling of cases for court, preparing and distributing court orders and a variety of vital administrative tasks.  Interns will have an opportunity to interact with clients and representatives from various state agencies including DYFS, the Deputy Attorney General, Public Defender, Law Guardian and CASA.
    • DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, FAMILY DIVISION: Interns with the Domestic Violence unit observe plaintiffs’ interviews and proceedings in court.  Interns assist with the preparation of complaints and court orders as well as the scheduling of cases for court.  Interns will work alongside the staff of the Domestic Violence team to coordinate case information with prosecutors, lawyers, and police and sheriff officers.  Interns will interact with representatives from the stakeholders including DYFS, Jersey Battered Women’s Shelter and CASA. 
    • FAMILY DRUG COURT: The Family Drug Court program is an alternative court program designed to address substance abuse/dependency in child abuse and/or neglect cases.  The program provides intensive support, supervision and rehabilitative services to parents.  Interns will assist the staff in preparing and distributing court orders, calculating compliance forms and interfacing with judges, attorneys, treatment providers, DYFS and CASA.    
    • PROBATION SERVICES, ADULT AND JUVENILE SUPERVISION: The Probation Services Division is responsible for the community supervision of adult and juvenile offenders sentenced to a term of probation supervision from the Superior and Municipal Courts.  Interns will observe court proceedings, client interviews, drug testing, etc., alongside an experienced Probation Officer.  Interns will schedule appointments for offenders and assist officers with their court documentation. 
  • Interns with the Warren Township Police Department will have the opportunity to work on special projects, work in dispatch and records, partake in ride alongs with patrol officers and visit the courts.  Students will also be required to help with clerical tasks.

    Students who apply to this internship must be in solid academic standing and must undergo a drug test and background check by the police department.  Interested students should submit a resume and cover to Officer Matthew Saum at msaum@warrenpolic.com.

  • East Jersey State Prison is a maximum-security prison operated by the New Jersey Department of Corrections.  It is otherwise known as Rahway State Prison and is home to the first Scared Straight Program and Lifers’ Program.  There are currently approximately 1,500 men incarcerated at this facility. 

    Students interested in an internship with the prison should send a resume and cover letter to the following address:

    Departmental Internship Coordinator

    Office of Policy and Planning

    NJ Department of Corrections

    P.O. Box 863

    Trenton, NJ 08625-0863

  • This agency specializes in treatment of addiction by addressing the root causes of addiction and long-term solutions to aid in recovery.  Services include the following:

    • 12 Step Recovery
    • Addictions Education
    • Anger Management Groups
    • Assessments/Evaluations
    • Continuation of Care
    • Domestic Violence Groups
    • Family Education
    • Family Therapy
    • Individual Therapy
    • Individualized Treatment Planning
    • Medication Education
    • Medication Management
    • Parenting Skills Groups
    • Recovery Groups
    • Referrals to Division of Vocational Rehabilitation
    • Relapse Prevention Group

    Anyone interested in interning for this agency should send a resume and cover letter to admin@intervention.spc.com.  For more information, please visit their website: interventionspc.com.

  • Interns shadow correctional officers in the juvenile detention center, attend juvenile court proceedings in courts, meet with various social service agencies and perform other duties as needed by officials of the detention center.

    Interested students should send a resume and cover letter to:

    Chief Dorr

    Juvenile Detention Center

    P.O. Box 900

    Morris Town, NJ 07960

    Phone: 973-285-2959

    For more information, visit: morriscountynj.gov/Departments/Juvenile-Detention-Center

  • Head of security at Montclair Country Club is looking for an intern.  Responsibilities include:

    • Due diligence for events
    • Protection for events
    • Security planning for events
    • Mitigating threats to general security
    • Security and patrol

    Interested students should send a resume and cover letter to the following:

    Jamal Washington

    jwashington@montclairgolfclub.org

  • The New Jersey Reentry Corporation (NJRC) is a non-profit agency with a social mission to remove all barriers to employment for citizens returning from jail or prison.

    They have several different locations and are interested in working with student interns.

    Anyone interested in this organization should go to https://www.njreentry.org/ to learn more about what this agency does and how you can apply for their internship. 

  • Please e-mail Janice Rufino at JRufino@njtransit.com with applications.

    Download the document: Internship application

  • The Perseverance Project, Inc is a community nonprofit organization that works to reduce the number of youth and young adults, ages 13-25, who have made contact with the justice system. Their goal is to promote and provide community-based opportunities that align with both juvenile and criminal justice reform initiatives in order to minimize and eliminate foreseeable barriers that may be endured within this forgotten population.

    In an effort to provide a successful continuum of care, their services include: Mental Health Counseling, Substance Abuse Education/Prevention, Workforce Development, Education Enrichment/Learning Support and Advocacy. TPP, Inc. works to ensure that their clients persevere despite the obstacles they have faced on their path to a successful and productive adulthood. They seek to establish partnerships with schools, courts, law enforcement and community stakeholders to meet the unique needs of the population served.

    Anyone interested in interning for this agency should e-mail a resume an cover letter to Onna Jones at onna.jones@perseveranceproject.org.  For more information, please visit perseveranceproject.org.

  • The U.S. Pretrial Services System is a vital part of the federal judiciary. The system’s mission is to investigate and supervise defendants prior to trial. U.S. pretrial services officers provide these services. Their core responsibilities are investigation, report preparation for federal courts, and supervision of persons in the community prior to trial.

    To apply, students should send a resume and cover letter to the following: Sandra_Marin@njpt.uscourts.gov

  • The duties of the U.S. Marshals Service include protecting the federal judiciary, apprehending federal fugitives, managing and selling seized assets acquired by criminals through illegal activities, housing and transporting federal prisoners, and operating the Witness Security Program.

    To apply, students should click on the link below and follow the instructions for internships. https://www.usmarshals.gov/careers/students

  • The Morris County Prosecutor’s Office is tasked with using all reasonable and lawful thoroughness for the detection, arrest, indictment, and conviction of offenders against the laws of the State of New Jersey, as well as strengthening the relationship between law enforcement and the public it serves and improving the quality of life in Morris County.

    Summer Internships only at this time and students must apply by January 2024. To apply, students should send a resume and cover letter to the following e-mail address: prosecutor@co.morris.nj.us.

  • The New Jersey Department of Children and Families is the state’s first Cabinet-level agency devoted exclusively to serving and supporting at-risk children and families. It is made up of about 6,600 staff who are focused on and committed to assisting and empowering residents to be safe, healthy, and connected.

    This is done with an array of evidence-based, family-centered programs and services that are provided through a robust network of community providers using work practices that incorporate racial equity, are healing-centered, and utilize a protective factors framework.

    Collectively, the DCF and its partners are working to: increase kinship placements and family connections; prevent maltreatment and promote strong families; integrate consumer voice in all programs and services; cultivate a culture of accountability; maximize federal revenue; provide an integrated and inclusive system of care for youth; safeguard staff and promote professional satisfaction.

    To apply, students should click on the link below and follow the internship inquiry instructions.

    https://www.nj.gov/dcf/about/employment/internship

  • Legal Services in New Jersey embraces the vision of full access to essential civil legal aid for all economically disadvantaged people who cannot secure a lawyer on their own. This belief in the importance of legal assistance to indigent people stems from an underlying concern with fairness and a conviction that important legal needs of individuals should be addressed.

    The Legal Services program must maintain a principal focus on meeting these basic needs even as it strives to pursue actions that have import and sweep beyond the individual parties in specific legal cases. It must prioritize legal representation that will help rebuild impoverished, deteriorating communities, or that address recurrent problems that otherwise would continue to occur in the lives of low-income people.

    To apply, students should click on the link below:

    https://www.lsnj.org/Internships.aspx

Application Instructions

Students should look at the various internship opportunities available through Fairleigh Dickinson under the Internships section of the website.  All instructions for applying to these internships are included.  Students should apply to internships of interest on the website or students may choose to seek other internships on their own.  Once a student has been offered and decides to accept an internship, the following forms and instructions should be utilized.  Please read through all of this carefully as these documents provide clear instructions on how to register and the requirements for the internship course.

Contact Information
Meghan Sacks
meghan_sacks@fdu.edu
Criminology Program Director
(973) 443-8745
Dept. of Social Sciences & History Fairleigh Dickinson University 285 Madison Avenue, M-MS3-02 Madison, NJ 07940