Internships

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:

1. The permission of the internship coordinator to enroll
2. 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
3. Successfully completed and received a "C" or better in CCJ 4700 (Research Design in CJ), CCJ 3014 (Criminology), and CCJ 3024 (Criminal Justice System), AND at least one of the following: CJC 4010 (Corrections) or CJE 4110 (Policing) or CJL 3510 (Courts)

There are also several factors considered by the internship coordinator in determining whether a student qualifies for a particular internship opportunity. Those factors include, but are not limited to: 

1. The number and type criminal justice-related courses completed before the semester the internship is scheduled
2. The nature of the internship
3. Perceived ability of student to successfully complete the internship

Partnering Agencies for Criminal Justice Students

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Legal Studies Internships

In addition to preparing students for law-related careers, the Legal Studies program 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 purpose of the internship is to give students the opportunity to apply their education in actual 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 at cpenrod@uwf.edu. 

Enrolled students who wish to apply for an internship should contact internship coordinator Paula Da Silva Lannes at pdasilvalannes@uwf.edu. 

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Internship Application Process

If you meet the above requirements and would like to be considered for an internship, please contact an internship coordinator: Paula Da Silva Lannes to discuss Pensacola area internship options and Dr. Kathrine Johnson to discuss 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.

Internship Forms

Once you are successfully placed with an agency, you must complete the Placement Contract and return it to the internship coordinator prior to the beginning of your internship. The internship coordinator will provide this form.