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 Students
who pursue the Associate of Applied Arts and Sciences
Degree (AAAS)
are required to take CrimJ273 which is an internship
with a law enforcement agency or other agency doing
criminal justice related work. Shoreline criminal
justice faculty advisors have secured internships for
its' students in police departments, sheriff's offices,
adult corrections facilities, public defender's offices,
prosecuting attorneys offices, social service agencies,
municipal courts, juvenile court, juvenile detention
facilities, private investigators, the US Border Patrol,
and the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife
to name a few.
Students in the AAAS program should plan to take
CrimJ 273 during the winter or spring quarter of
their second year at Shoreline, after notifying the
program director at least one quarter in advance of
their intention to pursue an internship. This allows for
time to arrange for a suitable match between the student
and an agency providing internship opportunities.
Internships expose students to actual criminal justice
agency practices and in some cases have resulted in
future employment. Students will engage in a wide
variety of tasks, depending on the particular
internship.
Students applying for an internship will be required
to undergo a background check - including a polygraph
examination - by the involved agency. In some
cases, the student might be required to pay a fee for
this service. Any previous history of criminal activity
will usually disqualify a student from participating.
Students preparing for a career in criminal justice
should know that any felony convictions automatically
disqualifies a person from being hired as a sworn law
enforcement officer in the United States. It also will
usually hinder gaining employment even as a civilian in
the law enforcement field. Students who have a
significant history of drug use, a poor driving record,
a poor credit history or a criminal record should think
twice about investing significant time and money into a
criminal justice degree. If students have concerns in
this area, they should consult with a criminal justice
advisor.
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