Public Safety & Security Capstone Internship

Learning through experience

Students working toward an undergraduate major in Crime Scene, Law Enforcement Intelligence or Law Enforcement Operations have the opportunity to receive valuable work experience while earning academic credit by enrolling in the Capstone Internship Course, CJE 4710. The Capstone Internship allows the student to apply the knowledge they have gained in the classroom in an experiential learning opportunity in the field. An internship is an excellent way to explore career possibilities, build a professional network and enhance your professional resume.

Enrollment

To participate in an internship, students must complete the following requirements:

  • Meet all eligibility requirements for the course (see Eligibility requirements below).
  • Search for internship possibilities with an off-campus agency or organization; apply for and secure an internship. Ensure the internship aligns with your major discipline (CSI, LEI or LEO). If you are uncertain whether your internship is appropriate to your major discipline, please consult with either of the capstone coordinators listed below.
  • Fulfill all of the employers' requirements for employment/internship participation.
  • After securing an internship, complete the Capstone Application (pdf) and submit to the faculty members listed below by the application deadline for the semester the internship will be performed/completed in. Once the application is accepted and processed, a permission number will be given for registration in the Capstone Course CJE 4710.
  • Meet the University's deadline for fee payment.
  • Work a minimum of 8 hours per week in the internship; see Capstone Variable Hours (pdf), for the 16 week semester (12 weeks for Summer).
  • Helpful Hints (pdf) are provided for preparing for and applying to an internship with an off-campus agency/organization. 

Deadlines for submitting your Capstone Application (see above):

  • December 1 for Spring Semester
  • May 1 for Summer Semester
  • August 10 for Fall Semester

Eligibility

  • Student must be majoring in Crime Scene investigation, Law Enforcement Intelligence or Law Enforcement Operations.
  • Must be an undergraduate Junior or Senior
  •  Must have completed three (9 credit hours) of the four required core courses in your major with a grade of C- or better.
  • Have a minimum GPA of 2.5

Crime Scene Investigation Core Courses

  • CJE 3762 &CJE 3762L Forensic Science in Investigations with Lab
  • CCJ 4744 Evidential Reasoning
  • CCJ 3071 Computer Applications for Public Safety and Security
  • CCJ 3024 The Criminal Justice System

Law Enforcement Intelligence and Operations Core Courses

  • CCJ 3024 The Criminal Justice System
  • CCJ 3484 Ethics in Policing and Intelligence
  • CCJ 4710 Applied Probability for Research and Investigation
  • CCJ 3071 Computer Applications for Public Safety and Security

Academic Components

  • Assignments are web based through Canvas.
  • Journal entries are required weekly to provide reflection and information about internship tasks completed that week and lessons learned.
  • A final comprehensive paper describing your Capstone experience is due the final week of the course. Contact your capstone course instructor for specific paper requirements.
  • Instructor will make contact with your workplace supervisor and monitor your progress.

Internship Possibilities/Search Tools

Students are recommended to utilize NoleNetwork, the FSU Career Center’s system for linking students and alumni directly with hiring employers and Career Center programs. Employers from across the local area, the state and country are posting internship and job opportunities in NoleNetwork every day, so this resource may help in identifying relevant agencies and organizations offering internships that interest you. 

Requirements for being hired as an intern will vary from agency to agency. Once you have identified an agency/organization you have an interest in, be prepared to complete an employment application, participate in interviews, psychological exams, physicals, polygraphs, background investigations, and drug screenings. Each agency will determine whether you pass or fail their required tests/requirements for their internship.
While most internships are unpaid, they offer an excellent opportunity to explore your chosen academic field of study with hands-on experiential learning that is appealing to future employers and will help to create your own professional networks in a competitive job market.

Students are responsible for identifying, contacting and applying to the agency/organization, interviewing and meeting any and all requirements for employment. Securing the internship is the student's responsibility.

For further information please contact: