FIELD EXPERIENCE:  20 QUESTIONS!!

1.      Do I have to do an internship or practicum?

Yes.  The Criminal Justice Internship is required for the criminal justice major.  However, if you are working in a professional position at a criminal justice agency, you may be considered to be "in-service" and can waive out of the respective course.

2.      How do I register for the internship or practicum?

The Criminal Justice Pre-Internship (CCJ 4939) and the Criminal Justice Internship are "permissions courses."  You must complete an application form and obtain a current, signed, dated program of study from the College of Arts and Sciences Advising Office.  You must then schedule an appointment with the Field Coordinator to submit the application packet.  The applications become available during the pre-registration weeks of each semester.

3.      When should I intern?

Your last semester in school.  If you have a compelling reason to intern prior to your last semester, discuss it with the Field Coordinator.

4.      Can I do an advanced term registration?

No.

5.      Are there any pre-requisites?

Yes - you must pass all of the core courses before you can intern in Criminal Justice.

6.      So, can I take any core courses while I'm interning?

No - you must pass the core courses before you can intern.

7.      How do I obtain my placement?

You will do research on the agencies to learn what they do and then participate in an interview with them.

8.      How do I know what agencies to research?

We have an extensive Agency Placement List.  You will receive access to the complete list in the Criminal Justice Pre-Internship.  We also have an abbreviated version of the Agency Placement List on our Department's website for public access.  It lists the name of the agencies and the activities in which interns may participate.

9.      Do I have to intern at an agency on the Agency Placement List?

Yes, professional relationships and agreements have been established with the listed agencies.  However, if you have a compelling reason to intern at an agency that is not on the list, you may discuss it with the Field Coordinator.

10.  Are there any paid placements?

Very few, and those agencies do not necessarily select students every semester - it depends on their grant money and/or projected workloads.

11.  How many hours do I have to do in the internship/practicum?

Criminal Justice Internship = 180 hours.

12.  How many days per week do I have to intern?

During the fall and spring terms, you should plan on about 1 ½ - 2 days per week.  During the summer term, which is shorter, you should plan on 2 - 2 ½ days per week.

13.  I work.  Are there internship placements that have flexible hours?

Yes, we have many agencies that allow interns to work evening and weekends.

14.  Can I intern at the place where I work?

There is no definite answer to this - it depends on where you work, what that workplace will allow you to do as an intern, and how you will balance your work hours with your required internship hours.  Thus, this situation is handled on an individual basis.

15.  Do I have to be at my agency all day, or can I do a few hours everyday?

Most agencies will want you on site for a full shift, whatever that happens to be.  Your experience will be much more meaningful.

16.  Can I work all week for 4-5 weeks and complete my internship quickly?

No.  We have structured class meetings and discussions throughout the semester. You must be available at your agency to gather the appropriate information for the discussion topics as the semester progresses.

17.  Can I intern in my hometown (not Jacksonville)?

Yes - but it takes a little more work and time to obtain the placement.

18.  I have classes to take the semester I intern - what should I do?

Interns should schedule all classes for the same days of the week so they will be available to intern on non-class days.

19.  Are there any other special considerations I need to know about?

Yes, if you are interested in completing a criminal justice internship with a federal sworn law enforcement agency.  Their background screenings take anywhere from 3 to 6 months.  You should plan your schedule to take the Pre-Internship 2 semesters before you intern; thus, the agency will be conducting your background screening during the semester between the Pre-Internship and when you actually intern.

20.  What kinds of issues are involved in a background screening?

Most criminal justice agencies working with children will obtain a criminal history on you.  It is a complete arrest record.  If you have been arrested for anything at anytime, it will appear on the history.  If you had charges dropped or a record expunged, the arrest will still appear on the criminal history.  It is to your benefit to obtain any official court documents to show the outcome of the arrest.  If you have had serious felony arrests, sale and distribution of drugs arrests, domestic violence arrests, and repeated alcohol related arrests, you may be disqualified from some agencies, regardless of the outcome.

Contact Becky Mendez, Visiting Instructor and Field Coordinator for further information.
Phone:  (904) 620-1717
e-mail:  b.mendez@unf.edu