SOCIOLOGY-CRIMINOLOGY

Degree in Sociology-Criminology

Degree Requirements

Internship

Soc-Crim Club

Honors Options

Careers

Internship Application Form

Internship Recommendation Form

CRIMINOLOGY INTERNSHIP (Soc 495)

The Department of Sociology and Anthropology offers an internship in criminology for students enrolled at Ohio University. This program is designed to provide students specializing in criminology the opportunity to engage in applied social science and at the same time to gain valuable work experience. The internship also provides criminal justice-related agencies a reservoir of highly motivated and educated student assistance to supplement their workplace.

The internship program encompasses a wide variety of public and private organizations in the field of criminal justice at the local, state, and federal levels. Included are agencies dealing with juvenile and adult corrections, the court system, and law enforcement.

Eligibility and Selection

The internship in criminology is intended to serve as a capstone experience for students who are approved for the program. While the Internship Coordinator decides final eligibility, the basic eligibility requirements are:

• Sociology/Criminology seniors or prospective seniors


• A 2.5 grade point average overall and a 2.5 GPA in the major


• Completion of the following core courses: SOC 260, 351, & 362
  

Interested students must apply to the Internship Coordinator in the quarter prior to registration. One letter of recommendation from a sociology faculty member should accompany the application. In some cases the Internship Coordinator may make exceptions to the eligibility requirements listed above but will require that the application be supplemented with other supporting documents and personal interviews. Final approval of the prospective intern hinges on the approval of the sponsoring agency or organization.

Academic Credit

Internships are ordinarily not remunerated. Students may receive academic credit through Sociology 495 according to the following formula:

Program Requirements

The actual internship experience will vary according to the needs and opportunities of the sponsoring agency. Each internship must satisfy the agency in terms of some benefits, which the agency may derive from the student intern as well as providing the student with a meaningful experience to supplement his or her education. In all cases, however, the basic requirements of the internship are:

1. Work Requirements: Interns will be expected to provide useful service to the sponsoring organization. The nature of the work will vary greatly, from compiling statistical information to assisting staff members who work directly with clients. Interns must comply with all rules and regulations of the sponsoring agency. Interns should NOT be placed in dangerous situations.


2. A Journal: A log and journal recording work-time and activities must be kept on a daily basis and turned in at the end of the quarter.


3. Paper: The student will write a final paper that provides closure to their internship experience. Papers will be around 9-10 typewritten pages and will pertain directly to the functions of the sponsoring agency.


4. Meetings: Students who are working in Southeast Ohio will be expected to meet regularly with the Internship Coordinator, either singly or in a seminar. Arrangements will be made for regular contact with other students and for periodic progress reports.
   

Evaluation

Toward the end of the quarter, the individual in the sponsoring agency who directly supervises the student will be asked to submit an evaluation of the intern. Course grades will be based upon a combination of the work supervisor's evaluation, the journal, and the paper. Grades will be either CR (credit) or F.

Sponsors

Many criminal justice agencies support the criminology intern program by sponsoring internships. While special arrangements are sometimes made with out-of-town agencies, some of the most frequent sponsors are:

Athens Police Department
Logan Police Department
Ohio University Department of Campus Safety
Ohio University Office of University Judiciaries
Center for Student Advocacy
Ohio Public Defender
Athens County Prosecuting Attorney
Athens County Victim Assistance Program
Athens City Office of the Law Director
Athens County Children Services
Athens County Juvenile Court
Athens County Municipal Court
Health Recovery Services & Bassett House
Hocking Valley Community Residential Center
SEPTA Correctional Facility
Hocking Correctional Facility
Ohio Adult Parole Authority

Applications

Application forms and recommendation forms may be downloaded here or obtained from the Department of Sociology and Anthropology main office, in Bentley Annex 162.

For further information please contact Internship Coordinator Don Shamblin.