Purpose of the Internship
The internship is an integral component of the undergraduate program in criminology and criminal justice at California State University, Long Beach. The purpose of the program is to provide students with community and professional based learning opportunities through exposure to new and challenging field experiences within a variety of criminal justice settings. The internship program is designed to offer practical interface with criminal justice practitioners, clients, and other cross-disciplinary professionals, in order to observe the application of theoretical concepts, implementation of justice related policies, and functionality of criminal justice organizations in community and governmental environments, as learned in the undergraduate curriculum.
The internship is also an academic learning experience in which students are expected to successfully complete written assignments that analyze concepts or issues from previous course work and relate them to agency experiences. These written assignments provide students the opportunity to apply knowledge acquired in the classroom with practical experience from their internship placement.
Internship Eligibility and Placement Requirements
In order to be eligible to enroll in CRJU492 or CRJU491 undergraduate you MUST:
- Have successfully completed seven of the nine following 300-level core criminal justice courses; CJRU 301, 302, 303, 304,320, 325, 330, 340, and 350;
- Have a minimum overall university grade point average (GPA) of 2.0;
Students applying for CRJU492 or CRJU491 must be personally and psychologically equipped, as well as academically prepared for the internship experience. As an intern, you represent the School of Criminology, Criminal Justice, and Emergency Management (CCJEM), as well as, California State University, Long Beach, and therefore must have a strong personal character consisting of maturity, integrity, and high ethical standards. A student may be denied enrollment in the internship course by the Director of the CCJEM or removed from an internship placement, if, based on his/her professional judgment, the student has a questionable character or has exhibited behavior that indicates erratic, unpredictable, or unsuitable conduct, including but not limited to:
- Known Honor Code or Academic Integrity Violations
- Frequent Tardiness
- Rudeness
- Psychological Instability and/or Erratic Behavior
- Deceitful Behavior
- Known Alcohol and Drug Abuse Problems
- Known Criminal History
- Poor Academic Performance
Information and documentation related to the reason for enrollment denial or placement removal may be based on the direct knowledge of the school director, or on information provided by the sponsoring internship agency. If you are removed from an internship placement for cause you will receive a grade of “F” in the course.
The school director may remove a student from an internship site if, after placement, circumstances arise at the site that pose an unforeseen danger to your welfare, or unforeseen risk liability to the student or University. It is your responsibility to inform the internship coordinator of any problems that you experience. If, under such circumstances, you are removed from an agency the school director will determine your final disposition for the course.
The responsibility for finding an appropriate internship placement rests solely with you. However, the internship coordinator will provide reasonable guidance and assistance during the process. You may elect to seek placement with an agency involved in the handling of sensitive information. As a result, a background investigation, including the completion of a polygraph examination, may be required as a precondition for placement. Background investigations also include checks for prior arrests and convictions, abuse of illegal drugs, and DUI convictions. Students with a criminal record may be prohibited from participating in an internship course. If you are arrested or convicted of a crime during the term of the internship you may be terminated from the agency and removed from the internship course.
CRJU492 requires that 130 hours of on-site activity and CRJU491 requires 65 hours. If your job performance is deemed to be unacceptable by the agency and you are terminated from the placement, and you fail to complete the required hours, you will receive an “F” for the course. Remember, tardiness and absenteeism are not acceptable work habits, even if others do it. Prior to working your first shift you should obtain the phone numbers of those supervisors you must contact if you are going to be late or absent.
While criminal justice work can be risky, you must not allow yourself to be placed in any dangerous situations (i.e., carrying a gun, making arrests, or participating in any other activity or behavior that is dangerous to you or others). If a supervisor orders you to participate in a dangerous situation, respectfully, but firmly, decline to participate and immediately contact the internship coordinator or your faculty supervisor. Should you have any problems or concerns regarding your placement contact the internship coordinator immediately.
Enrolling in the Internship Course
In order to enroll in either CRJU492 or CRJU491 you MUST:
1. Meet with the CCJEM advisor in the CHHS Academic Advising and Resource Center or the internship coordinator to ensure that all required criminal justice courses have been completed. Secure the advisor’s or the coordinator’s signature on the checklist in this handbook.
2. Attend a mandatory internship orientation meeting and bring completed checklist and handbook agreement with you. Both are included in this handbook. Students who do not attend the orientation meeting will not be permitted to enroll in CRJU492 or CRJU491. The specific dates and times of the orientation are posted online on the School of CCJEM website.
3. Secure an internship placement. If you do not have an agency placement or are undecided on an appropriate agency placement for the internship, you should contact the internship coordinator. The internship coordinator will discuss career interests and aspirations and then provide appropriate agency referrals (if available). The internship coordinator is available to assist you, but it is your responsibility to find an approved internship placement.
4. While the internship coordinator will assist you by identifying the types of agencies that are appropriate and providing them with agency contacts (if available), it is up to you to contact agencies, request an interview, and secure a placement. To facilitate this placement process, you should research agencies online to ascertain the availability of criminal justice internships and learn what is required in a particular agency’s placement process. Depending upon the agency, the application process can take anywhere from 1 day to 12 months. However, typically most state and local agencies require 3 to 4 months to complete the application process. Therefore, it is imperative that you research each potential placement agency and start the application process in a timely manner.
5. Once you have secured an internship placement, your agency shall complete and sign the Internship Enrollment and Data form and the Self-Placed Internship form. You must submit these completed and signed forms to the internship coordinator.
6. Once the forms are received, the internship coordinator will issue you a permit to enroll in the CRJU492 or CRJU491 course. You may then register for the course.
Internship Conduct
During the course of their internship with an agency, you is representing California State University, Long Beach and the School of CCJEM. Therefore, during the performance of your internship duties you shall adhere to the following conduct guidelines:
Attendance:
If you become ill and cannot attend your work site, you must contact your internship site supervisor and inform him/her that you will be absent. When you are absent, you must consult your agency supervisor and obtain permission to make up the work hours missed.
Tardiness and leaving early are not appropriate professional conduct. Students who engage in such conduct may be terminated from the internship placement. Students who are terminated by the agency, or removed by the School, for inappropriate conduct will receive an “F” grade for the internship course.
Standard of Dress
You should dress in professional attire (business clothing and a minimum of jewelry) at all times unless otherwise informed by their internship site supervisor. If you have any questions about the appropriateness of certain clothing you should discuss them with their site supervisor before wearing the item(s) in question.
Both male and female students should be aware of not wearing clothing, makeup, or any items that could be viewed as provocative, or that draw attention to you in a way that distracts from the professionalism of the agency.
Integrity and Professional Conduct
Disclosing privileged information relating to any case or other matter handled by the sponsoring internship agency, about any client, person involved, or staff person for that agency, to any unauthorized person either verbally or in writing constitutes a violation of confidentiality statues. Therefore, you cannot discuss specific case information, client/person involved identification data, or anything else that would compromise the agency's professional reputation or credibility in any way. This confidentiality rule applies to all students and all agencies. Failure to comply with all agency confidentiality requirements may result in your termination from the agency and you receiving an “F” grade for the internship course.
You might observe conduct displayed by others that is not necessarily professional or appropriate; remember who you represent and always behave professionally. If you have any questions about how to conduct yourself in situations involving confidentiality or anything else, you should ask their agency site supervisor about how to respond appropriately.
You should not invite friends or family members to the agency site unless such an invitation has been authorized and approved by your agency site supervisor.
Sexual Harassment
Sexual harassment includes:
· Demanding sexual consideration in exchange for a job benefit
· Making unwelcome sexual advances including pressure for dates, stalking, love letters, or phone calls
· Creating a hostile work environment that includes pranks, jokes, or comments of a sexual nature, or allowing sexually explicit posters and magazines to be kept in general work areas.
Sexual harassment is illegal! You should contact your site supervisor, your internship professor, and/or the internship coordinator immediately if you witness or are the victim of sexual harassment
Internship Requirements
1. You must adhere to all course requirements as outlined in your syllabus, which will be provided by the assigned course instructor. Course assignments may include submission of journal entries, submission of an hourly log, periodic conference/meeting with course instructor, and submission of the final internship paper.
2. You must complete 130 hours of on-site and supervised internship work for CRJU492 (65 for CRJU491), prior to the end of the internship semester. You and your sponsoring agency shall determine the schedule for completing the required hours. Failure to complete the required hours of on-site and supervised internship work will result in a grade of “Incomplete” for the course
3. You must ensure the Student Intern Assessment Form is completed and signed by the agency site supervisor, and submitted to the course instructor, prior to the last scheduled day of the internship semester or according to the course instructor’s due date, as outlined in the course syllabus.
Required Internship Forms
Students who wish to enroll in CRJU492 or CRJU491 MUST submit the following forms to the internship coordinator. No forms = No permit!
Form / Location / DueInternship Program Student Checklist / In this Handbook / Internship Orientation Session
Internship Handbook Agreement / In this Handbook / Internship Orientation Session
Internship Enrollment Data Form and Learning Agreement / On the internship webpage / No Later Than Two (2) Weeks prior to the start of the Internship Semester.
Self-Placed Internship For Academic Credit / On the internship webpage / No Later Than Two (2) Weeks prior to the start of the Internship Semester.
Approved Internship Agencies
Anaheim Police Department
Atias Law Group
Costa Mesa Police Department
CSP Inc. Victim Assistance Program
El Segundo Police Department
Higbee & Associates, Law Firm
Hollywood Police Activities League
Homeless Healthcare LA
Huntington Beach Police Department
Laura’s House
Los Angeles County District Attorney-Pasadena
Los Angeles Probation
Los Angeles Sheriff Dept.- Norwalk Station
LAPD-Wilshire
Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles
Long Beach Bar Foundation
Long Beach Memorial Hospital
Long Beach Police Dept.
Metropolitan State Hospital
Nancy Clark Inc.-Drug Sentencing
New Hope Law
Orange County Public Defender
Orange Police Department
Oxnard Police Department
Rocklin Police Department
Seal Beach Police Department
State of California Fish and Wildlife
US Coast Guard
US Dept. Health and Human Services - Inspector General
The list of agencies above is not exhaustive; you may intern at an agency not on this list. If you live outside of the Long Beach area and you wish to complete your internship with an agency near your home, you may do so. It is your responsibility to pursue an internship placement of their choice in a professional manner by contacting agencies, requesting an interview, and providing a professional resume. You are reminded that you represent California State University, Long Beach and the School of CCJEM. Please dress appropriately and behave professionally during your interview and during your entire internship period.