Mansfield University Home PageThe 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 through 12 weeks.
Internships are arranged under the course CJA 4450: Internship in Criminal Justice Administration. Its’ course description is as follows: An educational and work experience in an actual criminal justice related agency including police, courts, corrections, or private security. Credits: 6-12 credits. Note: may be taken for 6 through 12 credits.
For a description of the internship process within the Department of Criminal Justice Administration, please click on the INTERNSHIPS link.
Click on the following link for the sample letter of Inquiring about Internships.
For Agency Supervisor:
The supervising faculty member will submit to the Registrar's Office:
- Mansfield University’s Internship Form
- General course syllabus for CJA 4450 (W): Internship in Criminal Justice
The PASSHE Link to their Internship Agreement:
Fall 2009
Spotlight On:
Lycoming County District Attorney’s Office, Williamsport
Jacob Sanders
I have been an intern for the Lycoming County District Attorney’s Office since the beginning of the Fall ’09 semester and frankly, it has been one of the greatest experiences of my college career. I have learned so much as an intern and I know that the knowledge I have acquired at the District Attorney’s Office will be a great asset to my future career.
During my time as an intern, I have worked on many challenging tasks. I have organized trial folders for various cases, logged evidence, researched cases, worked the trial computer & other equipment, and other various tasks to help the attorneys, detectives, and support staff. I have learned so much from completing these tasks and will carry that through my life.
Learning through observing has been the greatest experience, though. I have observed preliminary hearings, arraignments, pre-trial motion hearings, status conferences, and jury trials. In observing these criminal proceedings and how each step is important to the criminal justice system, I have obtained a greater knowledge of how the system works and what needs to be done so each step in the process runs smoothly.
The internship was such a great experience for me simply because I really got to see the criminal justice system firsthand. A person can learn everything about criminal justice they can, but until they work in the field and experience how it works firsthand, they really can’t comprehend what goes on in the day-to-day world of criminal justice. This has been a wonderful experience and I would encourage anyone who is interested in criminal justice to do an internship and learn through observing the system firsthand.
