Placement Options

Students may select a placement from among agencies and organizations representative of all components of the criminal justice system and of all levels of government. Students should consult with the Internship Coordinator regarding the selection of an agency. Initial selection and placement of students will be made by the Internship Coordinator. Factors to be considered in placement include, but are not limited to: GPA (in major and overall), interests, academic awards/achievements, date of graduation, interests, knowledge of the agency and recommendation by faculty. Final decision on placement will be made by the host agency. Students will not be allowed to enroll for internship credit for working in a position which the student already holds or has previously held.

Examples of Placement Options

Louisville and Jefferson County Crime Commission
Kentucky State Police
Louisville Metro Police Department
Commonwealth Attorney's Office
County Attorney's Office
United Parcel Service
Federal Aviation Authority
Safe house
Center for Women and Families
Secret Service
Jefferson County Probation and Parole
Federal Bureau of Investigation
Target

Initiating the Placement Process

The following sequence is required for proper enrollment:

A. Obtain a copy of Syllabus and Manual for Internship Program and review it carefully. This manual can be obtained from the Department of Justice Administration.

B. Contact the Internship Coordinator to set an appointment to discuss placements. The student must bring two copies of the Internship Application (A-1) and a completed copy of the Insurance Waiver (A-2) to the meeting. Read the Syllabus and Manual for Internship Program and understand the requirements of the course prior to the meeting.

C. Students participating in the Internship Program must meet all of the following minimum criteria:

1. Overall GPA - 2.0 or better;

2. Be either a senior (90 semester hours) or Graduate Student in matriculated status, within 3 semesters of graduation;

3. Have completed (prior to the Internship), JA 200

4. Be a Justice Administration major or seek a special waiver from the Department Chair.

D. Students should contact agencies only after consultation with the coordinator.

E. All students will be interviewed by the supervising agency. Agencies retain the final decision regarding acceptance of a student. Final approval is the sole decision of the Internship Coordinator, and such decisions will always be made with the overall best interests of the student, the agency, and the Department of Justice Administration in mind.

Student-Initiated Searches

With prior approval of the Internship Coordinator, a student may contact an agency, under narrowly defined constraints, for the purpose of seeking a placement. Those constraints will be discussed on a case-by-case basis as they arise. Regardless of the motivation, students are cautioned they cannot represent the Internship Coordinator, the Department, or the University. This policy is not designed to constrain exploration of new placements, but to maintain integrity of the program; therefore, it requires monitoring and mutual cooperation between the student and the coordinator. Should a student have placement with a particular agency in mind as a result of personal contacts in the field, the first step is always to discuss this with the Internship Coordinator. Students may be asked to have agencies complete a data form (Contained in Appendix E of the Internship Manual).

Conduct

You will be expected to perform as you would in any professional or occupational environment. This includes being on time, calling you supervisor if problems arise, reporting sick if appropriate, etc. If you find you are unable to work during any period longer than 10 days, notify the Internship Coordinator. Further, discrimination and/or sexual harassment by, or against, interns will not be tolerated (See Sexual Harassment Policy, University of Louisville). Interns should report known or suspected discrimination or sexual harassment to the Internship Coordinator. Additionally, students will be expected to conform to the dress codes required by the host agency. Specifically, students are expected to adhere to the agency's requirements regarding appropriate dress, grooming standards, make-up, jewelry, and demeanor. Students who are unwilling to adhere to these standards may be refused, or released from, placement by the host agency.

Student Responsibilities

A. Each student will be assigned to an agency supervisor. All planned agency activities are to be discussed with the supervisor and that person will assist the student in determining placement objectives.

B. Report to the agency groomed in appropriate manner. NOTE: Many criminal justice agencies have conservative dress codes, for both employees and interns. Students are required to adhere to these dress codes, without exception. Students who are unwilling, or unable, to adhere to an agency's dress code will not be accepted into the program or will be dropped and receive an "F" if enrolled.

C. Observe all agency rules regarding punctuality, reliability, and decorum.

D. Complete all work assigned by the agency and all academic work assigned by the Department of Justice Administration.

E. Assure that no commitments, including work, are made which will conflict with the Internship.

Problems

Should problems arise during the internship, attempt to work them out with your supervisor. If they cannot be resolved, call the Internship Coordinator, J. Price Foster  at (502)852-8959 by email at: jpfost01@gwise.louisville.edu.

Cancellation

Once the placement procedure has been initiated, the student will be expected to follow through with that commitment. Failure to do so without approved cause will result in loss of an opportunity for another placement. In those extenuating circumstances which necessitate cancellation, the student is advised to contact the coordinator as soon as possible. The student will also assume the responsibility of informing the agency supervisor of withdrawal from the program.