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.
