Internships
An internship is an important experience for career readiness, enhances a student's resume, and can elevate a student's application for graduate education and professional schools. If you are interested in an internship, see the information below for internship requirements and internship coordinator contact information.
Criminal Justice Internships
The Criminal Justice Internship is a cooperative effort between the Criminal Justice program at the University of West Florida and public or private criminal justice agencies. The purpose of the internship is to give students the opportunity to apply their education to actual work situations. The student works under the supervision of the criminal justice professional. Students receive academic credit and pay the required credit hour fee as they would a regular course.
Graduate students may participate in an internship, and will generally follow the same process for agency placement as undergraduates. However, a permanent Criminology, Criminal Justice, and Legal Studies faculty member will serve as the instructor and make academic assignments at the discretion of the professor.
Requirements: Students must have:
- The permission of the internship coordinator to enroll
- A minimum grade point average of 2.0 in the Criminal Justice major and a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.5 as calculated by UWF
- Successfully completed and received a "C" or better in CCJ 4700 (Research Design in CJ), CCJ 3014 (Criminology), and CCJ 2002 (Survey of Crime), AND at least one of the following: CJC 4010 (Corrections) or CJE 4110 (Policing) or CJL 3510 (Courts)
Several factors are considered by the internship coordinator in determining whether a student qualifies for a particular internship opportunity. Those factors include, but are not limited to:
- The number and type of criminal justice-related courses completed before the semester the internship is scheduled
- The nature of the internship
- Perceived ability of the student to successfully complete the internship
If you meet the above requirements and would like to be considered for an internship, please contact internship coordinator Paula Da Silva Lannes to discuss Pensacola and Fort Walton Beach area internship options.
Internship Semester Application Deadlines:
- Fall – April 15
- Spring – October 15
- Summer – February 15*
*For internships with federal agencies, the application must be submitted a year in advance of the semester you plan to intern.
Criminal Justice Internship Application
Criminal Justice Partnering Agencies
Legal Studies Internships
The Legal Studies program prepares students for law-related careers and provides a foundation for law school or other graduate education.
The Legal Studies internship is a cooperative effort between the Legal Studies program and a public or private law-related office. The internship aims to allow students to apply their education in legal settings.
Previous internships have been offered by the following organizations:
- Beggs and Lane Law Firm
- Circuit Court Judge Gary Bergosh
- Emerald Coast Legal Aid
- JerriLynn Hadley, PLLC
- Northwest Florida Legal Aid
- Taylor, Warren, Weidner and Hancock, PA
- The Watson Law Firm, PLLC
Please note that listed internship opportunities are meant to serve as examples of possible positions. Availability varies based on a number of factors, and there is no guarantee of securing a specific position.
Prospective students interested in learning more about the Bachelor of Arts in Legal Studies program should contact program coordinator Dr. Charlie Penrod.
Enrolled students who wish to apply for an internship should contact internship coordinator Paula Da Silva Lannes.
Legal Studies Internship Application