Internships and practical experience are important components of the Law and Justice Program. The Law and Justice Minor provides students with opportunities to explore and test their interest and capacities for law-related careers under the direction and supervision of faculty, by working directly with legal professionals in a law-related institution, by engaging in field work research in a legal setting, by engaging in simulated courtroom trials, or by doing in-depth exploration of some specific legal issue, or aspect of legal work. We have been very successful in placing students in internship and fieldwork positions related to students’ interests in law and/or criminal justice. Placements have included federal, state, county and local agencies and offices, as well as private organizations and law firms. Students have worked with judges, state and local police officers, investigators, forensic experts, court administrators, parole and probation officers, prosecutors, and defense attorneys.

Objectives
To provide supervised work experience in an institution, office or agency related to law or law enforcement. The internship will develop students’ understanding of the nature and operation of laws, their interpretation and application by obtaining practical experience. It will also enable students to become familiar with the operation of and working conditions within organizations related to law and/or law-enforcement.

Qualifications
Student must have completed a minimum of 60 credits (and have at least a 2.75 GPA) in order to undertake an internship.

Requirements

1. A faculty member from the Law and Justice Committee must agree to supervise the internship. The Law and Justice Director must be notified of the internship at the time of registration.
2. Students who want an internship must obtain permission from the Law and Justice Faculty member at least two months prior to the beginning of the internship.
3. A student intern is expected to work in the assigned agency a minimum of 48 hours for each credit earned. For three (3) credits a student must work a minimum of 144 hours.
4. During the Fall and Spring semesters, internships shall normally be 13 weeks in duration. During the Summer sessions, internships shall normally be 5 weeks in duration.
5. Individual agencies may have additional internship work hour requirements beyond the minimum.

SAMPLE LAW AND JUSTICE INTERNSHIPS AND FIELD WORK PLACEMENTS

State, County, City Offices

• NJ Office of the Public Defender
• County Prosecutor’s Offices
• NJ Superior Court
• NJ State Police
• NJ State Police Forensic Laboratory
• County Division of Consumer Affairs
• Juvenile Justice Commission
• Juvenile Justice Agencies
• Local Police Departments

Federal Offices

• U.S. Attorney’s Office
• Federal Magistrate, U.S. Court House
• Federal Public Defender
• F.B.I. Offices

Private Offices and Agencies

• NJ Association on Correction
• Private Law Offices