Criminal Justice Internships

Qualification Criteria

Student must meet all of the following criteria:

1. Students must declare the On-Campus Criminal Justice major
2. Students must have a GPA of 2.75 or higher.
3. Students must have completed all lower division required Criminal Justice courses.
4. This is a one or two semester internship program depending on the agency (3 hours of credit each semester) - students must need two upper division CJ electives to be eligible.
5. Students must submit an application prior to meeting with the Internship Coordinator.  Once the application is reviewed, a meeting will be scheduled. During this meeting, the student will be able to investigate the nature of the internship and ask questions relative to the work experience of the internship.

Once a Student has become Eligible for an Internship:

• The prospective intern must submit an internship packet to the Internship Coordinator.
• The Internship Coordinator will then inform the student if they have been approved for an internship.
• Once paperwork is approved, students must reach out to the agencies at which they wish to intern and set up a placement. Spots at agencies are limited and are offered on a first serve basis within the needs of the agency.
• Agencies will make the final determination of acceptance for an internship.
• Additional paperwork may be required by particular agencies. Please make sure that you have enough time to submit all paperwork to ensure that you register for the course on time and avoid late registration fees by the university.
• Once accepted for an internship, students must submit the Internship Contact Form and liability waiver. The registration hold will then be released by the Criminal Justice Department.

 Students MUST be a CJ major undergraduate student.  Students CANNOT be employees or already working for the agency in which they are trying to intern with.  If you are an INSS minor, see the list of qualifications for our Intelligence and National Security Internships.     

Application Process

1. Students must submit an application to the internship coordinator, Dr. Stacie Ordonez at:  saordonez@utep.edu  at least 3 months prior to the semester they wish to start the internship.  Meet with Dr. Ordonez in March/April to complete a Fall internship, or meet with Dr. Ordonez in September/October to complete a Spring internship.

2. You will receive a response from the Internship Coordinator with the agency contact information or information on next steps. It is the responsibility of the student to secure placement with the agency unless instructed.

3. Once you have received agency approval, you must complete registration forms* at the Criminal Justice Department office to be cleared for registration and receive the syllabus for the class.

Benefits

1. Up to 6 upper level elective credits in CJ (3 for each semester)
2. Acquire experience in the field
3. Opportunity to make contacts in agency of interest

Internship Application

Internship application 

 ( email this application to Internship Coordinator )

Agencies

All agencies will require a completed application and background check. Extensive background check and any preliminary additional agency requirements may be required.

Law Enforcement

• U.S. Marshals
• Immigration & Customs Enforcement/HSI
• El Paso Police Department
• El Paso County Sheriff's Office
• UTEP Police Department

Criminal Courts

• U.S. Attorney's Office
• Public Defenders Office
• Local Private Criminal Defense Attorney

Adult Community-Based Corrections

• U.S. Federal Probation
• El Paso Veteran's Treatment Court
• West Texas Community Supervision (Adult Probation)
• Texas District Parole
• Dismas Charities (Male Federal Halfway House)

Juvenile Justice

• El Paso Juvenile Probation Department
• Family & Child Protective Services (CPS)

Crime Victims

• Center Against Sexual and Family Violence

International Justice Issues

• U.S. Department of State (Global issues: human trafficking, terrorism)