Internships
Apply classroom knowledge to problems and issues beyond the classroom.
Strong connections with local, state, and federal agencies, provide you with invaluable hands-on experiences and networking opportunities. Internships are encouraged and supported, and our students have successfully interned at the State Police, University Police, City Police (i.e., Crime Scene Investigation Unit), Sherriff’s Department, Probation Office, District Attorney’s Office, Correctional Facility (i.e., Great Meadow), Behavioral Health Services North and U.S. Marshall’s Office.
Criminal Justice Internship Opportunities
Internship Profiles
Kameron Collins, Class of ’24
Kameron Collins is a criminal justice major doing a summer internship at the Great Meadow Correctional Facility, a maximum-level security prison.
“During my internship at Great Meadow Correctional Facility I experienced first hand what life is like for incarcerated individuals at a maximum security prison and how staff can be successful at their individual roles. I sat in on treatment program groups and saw the impact mental health has on the incarcerated population. I learned about prominent gangs in New York prisons and how they function inside of an institutionalized setting. From staff, I learned what it’s like to work inside of a prison and explore the many career paths that are in the field of criminal justice, and I was able to apply many lessons from my degree. This was an amazing hands-on opportunity.”
Lauren Brennan, Class of ’24
Lauren is a criminal justice major and a victim advocate intern at STOP Domestic Violence in Plattsburgh, N.Y. STOP Domestic Violence is a branch through BHSN and aims to help domestic violence victims who are in need of housing, supportive counseling, orders of protection and court appearances.
“This is a very rewarding position as I get to help many people overcome extremely hard barriers in their life. Interning here has provided me with so much experience and knowledge and it also helps me to see how laws work in the real world and outside of the textbook. Overall, I have had a great experience working with STOP DV and I am so glad I was granted with this opportunity.”
Tyler Smith, Class of ’23
Tyler is a criminal justice major, doing an internship at the Plattsburgh City Police Department.
“While doing this internship I get to know the inside perspective of what it means to be a police officer. Doing ride-along, responding to various calls, interviewing numerous witnesses, making arrests, and solving cases. These are all things I have seen while being at my internship. I am also getting to know the mindset of an officer while being on the job during any scenario. Getting to know how an officer thinks and works throughout a shift and knowing different tricks and tips from the officers — this is one of the best experiences I have ever had.”
Paula Cucaita, Class of ’23
Paula is from Brooklyn, N.Y., graduating in May with a major in criminal justice and a minor in legal studies. For her last semester, Paula has interned with the University Police, where she gets first-hand experience about what it is like being an officer in a university.
Paula plans to sign up for the police academy in order to start her journey into becoming a detective, or may start looking into law school to apply what she has learned with her minor.