Internships and Opportunities |
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Internships may be undertaken for course credit (CRJU 494 for undergraduates and CRJU 794 for graduates).
Students work in criminal justice agencies/organizations under faculty supervision for a specified number of hours.
Placement of the intern is the responsibility of the Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice. While every
attempt will be made to consider the particular agency/organization that a student requests, placement will be
determined by availability. Internships provide excellent resume material, give students real world experience,
and provide a potential employer upon graduation. Students may contact Dr. Hayden Smith for more information.
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The Internship Manual gives a short introduction on how the internship program works, as
well as some guidelines that need to be followed. Please make sure you have read through this manual, in it
entirety, prior to starting the application process.
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If you have questions regarding potential sites for internships, please feel free to contact
Dr. Hayden Smith, either by e-mail or at (803) 777-6538 (Currell room 207).
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Forms:
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The Campus Patrol Officer Program
The Campus Patrol Officer (CPO) program offers undergraduate and graduate students who qualify
an opportunity to gain hands-on experience as an employee of the University of South Carolina Division of Law Enforcement
and Safety. A limited number of Criminal Justice majors are selected to serve as CPOs, and those that are chosen, work
approximately 20 hours per week. Duties may include the full range of police services and hours of employment are scheduled
around classes.
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South Carolina Victim Assistance Network
The South Carolina Victim Assistance Network (SCVAN) is a non-profit organization that advocates on behalf of
all victims and witnesses of crime. SCVAN has three primary functions: 1) to insure crime victims receive access to
and assistance from the criminal and juvenile justice system and related social service providers; 2) to improve the
quality of services provided to all crime victims; and 3) to insure the criminal justice system adequately serves crime
victims.
SCVAN enhances public awareness, facilitates research and evaluation, serves as technical support, facilitates quality
training, coordinates policy development, and encourages citizen & victim participation.
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Columbia Police Department
The Columbia Police Department has opportunities for interns to learn about policing in general and to work in a
variety of different specialty units. Interns can learn about patrol, training, community policing, and crime analysis,
among other aspects of law enforcement. Applicants will have to pass a background check.
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Attorney General’s Office
The Attorney General is the Chief Criminal Prosecutor and Chief Legal Officer for the State of South Carolina. The
office represents the State of South Carolina in prosecuting criminal cases and oversees the activities of the State
Grand Jury including the prosecution of multi-jurisdictional drug offenders, public corruption, and a variety of other
offenses. Interns can gain insight and experience in the areas of domestic violence, death penalty cases, Internet
crimes, among others. In addition, the Attorney General’s Officer assists crime victims, and sponsors a youth mentoring
program.
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S.C. Farm Bureau Insurance Companies - Special Investigations Unit
The investigations Unit handles matters involving insurance claims relating to auto thefts, auto thefts recovered
burned, fire losses to homes, etc. They also have to complete database searches on individuals such as criminal histories,
credit reports, prior claims histories, etc. Investigators spend time in the office and in the field. Since the greatest
exposure is on homeowner's policies, an emphasis is placed on fire investigations. Interns must go through a background
investigation and training.
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Criminal Justice Academy (Department of Public Safety)
Interns will work with Academy staff on a variety of programs, including the pre-service training of police officers,
research on the development of curricula, training and evaluation materials. Specialized projects range from physical
fitness to various classroom training materials. Studies are often conducted at the Academy, and Interns are able to work
with staff and researchers on the various on-going studies.
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Sexual Trauma Services of the Midlands
Sexual Trauma Services of the Midlands (STS) is a private, non-profit, 501 c(3) organization which first began serving
victims of sexual assault in 1983 as the Rape Crisis Network. One of 16 rape crisis centers in South Carolina, STS's
mission is to provide services to sexual trauma survivors and education about sexual trauma issues. Sexual Trauma Services
of the Midlands' services include:
- 24-hour crisis intervention
- Hospital accompaniment
- Information and referral
- Follow-up contact at scheduled intervals
- Advocacy in the criminal justice system
- Community education
- Individual and group therapy to primary and secondary victims of sexual assault and abuse
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