If you are interested in pursuing a career in criminal justice, one of the best ways to gain valuable experience and skills is to participate in a paid internship. Internships can help you explore different aspects of the criminal justice system, such as law enforcement, corrections, courts, forensics, victim services, and more. They can also help you network with professionals, build your resume, and earn some money while learning.
In this article, we will introduce you to the top 15 paid criminal justice internships that you can apply for. These internships are offered by various organizations, agencies, and institutions across the country and have different eligibility criteria, application deadlines, and benefits. Whether you are looking for a summer internship or a year-long placement, you will find something that suits your interests and goals.
#1 Management & Training Corporation Substance Abuse Counselor Internship
Management & Training Corporation is a company that provides a safe and secure working environment for staff while helping an at-risk population receive the treatment necessary for success on their road back to a healthy, productive life. Interns will perform moderately complex substance abuse counseling work, such as planning, coordinating, and implementing substance abuse counseling activities; interviewing, screening, and evaluating offenders for potential program participation; providing substance abuse counseling and recovery skills training; and maintaining offender records and other records regarding services provided. Interns will receive a pay of $18.00 per hour.
Eligibility: Applicants must have graduated from an accredited senior high school or equivalent or GED; have a current letter of registration as a Counselor Intern (LCDC-I) from the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) or current valid certification as a Certified Criminal Justice Professional Applicant Status (CCJP-A) as approved by the Texas Certification Board of Addiction Professionals; sign a Credential Contingency Agreement that will remain in effect only until the initially established expiration date; and obtain a Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor (LCDC) license or a Certified Criminal Justice Professional (CCJP) certification within five (5) years from the date of their registration as a Counselor Intern or CCJP-A.
#2 Neighborhood Christian Legal Clinic Legal Internship
Neighborhood Christian Legal Clinic is a faith-based non-profit organization that provides free legal services to low-income neighbors in four key areas: re-entry justice, immigration, housing, and tax law. The internship is based in Indianapolis, Indiana. Interns will assist the Project Lead Paralegal in meeting the objectives outlined in the Reentry Assistance Program known as Hope Hustler Outreach by staffing outreach events and the Expungement Help Desk. Interns will also have the opportunity to learn from and collaborate with experts in the field through mentorship and networking. Interns will receive a pay of $15.69 per hour.
Eligibility: Applicants must be current students pursuing a Bachelor’s or Associate’s degree in law, paralegal studies, criminal justice, or social work or a Graduate degree in law; have experience working in a social services environment or with vulnerable or justice-involved individuals; have understanding of re-entry and criminal justice-related issues or motivated to learn; have willingness to follow directives from Project Lead Paralegal; have skilled at relating interpersonally with the broad range of people whom we serve or a desire to grow in this area; have self-starter capability of working autonomously.
#3 exalt Internship and Workforce Development Liaison Internship
Exalt is a non-profit organization that empowers court-involved youth to transform their lives through education, work, and personal development. Interns will assist the Internship and Workforce Development Liaison in building internship relationships, strengthening and expanding core program and alumni opportunities for exalt’s young people. Interns will also have the opportunity to learn from and collaborate with experts in the field through mentorship and networking. Interns will work for 3 months, and receive a competitive base salary in the range of approximately $58,500 to $61,800 per year.
Eligibility: Applicants must have a Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent level of experience in internship placement, management, matching with system-involved youth; have 5-7 years experience in youth development, youth justice, internship, partnership and/or network development fields; have familiarity working with court-involved youth or similarly population of system-involved youth.
#4 Manhattan District Attorney’s Office College Internship
The Manhattan District Attorney’s Office is a public prosecutor’s office that serves the people of New York County by investigating and prosecuting criminal cases, providing support to crime victims, and promoting public safety and justice. The internship is based in Manhattan, NY, USA, and is part of the various units and bureaus of the office that handle different aspects of criminal justice, such as investigations, trials, appeals, community outreach, and legislation. Interns will work full-time for nine weeks during the summer and receive a salary of $525 per week.
Eligibility: Applicants must be current college sophomores and juniors who have completed a minimum of two years of college by the time the internship commences; have a solid academic record, but also demonstrate qualities of personal character, integrity, judgment, and maturity; have prior leadership experience and a commitment to public service and the community; have taken at least one criminal law-related class; and be legally authorized to work in the United States and provide proof of eligibility.
#5 AmeriServ Bank Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) Intern
AmeriServ Bank is a community bank that provides personal and business banking services to customers in various locations. Interns will also assist the BSA staff in conducting OFAC screenings, performing KYC checks, reviewing new customer documentation, escalating high-risk KYC findings, aiding in the enhancement of internal BSA and Anti-Money Laundering risk mitigating procedures, and providing support with the implementation of current BSA Department special projects as needed. Interns will work part-time for 3 months and receive a competitive hourly wage.
Eligibility: Applicants must be current students pursuing a bachelor’s or master’s degree in criminal justice, business, accounting, or finance with anticipation of completing said degree within the next 18 months; have excellent communication skills; have strong analytical skills; have computer skills including Microsoft Office and Internet; have problem-solving skills; be deadline driven; have ethical conduct.
#6 Pretrial Student Intern Pretrial Student Intern
The United States Pretrial Services Office is a federal agency that provides services to the court and people who have been charged with a federal offense and are awaiting trial. The internship is based in Phoenix and Tucson, Arizona, and is part of the Reentry Assistance Program known as Hope Hustler Outreach, a project that provides support and assistance to people with criminal records who are seeking to expunge or seal their records and overcome barriers to reentry. Interns will work on a when-actually-employed (WAE) basis, meaning that there is no predetermined work schedule, and work hours are determined by the student’s school schedule. Interns will receive a competitive salary of $14.73 – $17.95 per hour.
Eligibility: Applicants must be high school graduates or equivalent; be current students pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree in social work, criminal justice, criminology, psychology, sociology, human relations, or a related field of study; have proof of enrollment; have ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing; have ability to meet required deadlines and maintain tracking systems related to cases; have extensive knowledge of proper grammar usage and the ability to edit efficiently; have general knowledge of the criminal justice system and legal terminology.
#7 Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Department Deputy Sheriff Internship
The Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Department is a professional and progressive law enforcement agency serving a diverse community of over 550,000 residents in California. The internship is based in Modesto, CA, and is part of the Deputy Sheriff Trainee Program that prepares individuals for a career as a Deputy Sheriff. Interns will work for 10-20 hours per week for one year, and receive $19.52 – $25.47 per hour.
Eligibility: Applicants must be 18 through 24 years of age at the time of appointment; have graduated from high school or passed the GED test; be enrolled in a higher education program with a minimum of 9 units and a 2.0 GPA; and have obtained a minimum T-Score of 45 on the POST Entrance Exam (written test). The following will be considered a plus: training in the use of law enforcement equipment, physical fitness techniques, arrest control techniques, and firearms; experience in interviewing victims, witnesses, and suspects; and previous Explorer, ROP, or criminal justice/law enforcement-related experience.
#8 City of Duluth Community Service Officer Intern (Non-Union)
The City of Duluth Police Department is a municipal law enforcement agency that serves and protects the citizens of Duluth, Minnesota. The internship is based in Duluth, Minnesota, and is part of the Community Service Officer Program, a project that provides support to the Police Department through City ordinance enforcement and investigation and other community service and administrative tasks. Interns will receive $250.00 for every 500 hours of work.
Eligibility: Applicants must be age 18 or older; be current students pursuing a two or four-year undergraduate program in criminal justice, criminology, or a closely related field of study, working towards completion of Minnesota Peace Officers Standards and Training (POST) licensing requirements; have proof of enrollment; have a valid Minnesota driver’s license or equivalent; have knowledge of Minnesota criminal and traffic laws, local regulations governing animal control and parking, geographical and cultural aspects of the City and district assigned, Departmental policies and procedures, available support and governmental agencies and the services they provide, and radio communication procedures.
#9 TMCC Criminal Justice Part-Time
TMCC, located in Reno, Nevada, is a comprehensive community college that serves more than 25,000 students each year and offers a wide range of academic and university transfer programs, occupational training, career enhancement workshops, and personal enrichment courses. The Criminal Justice Department offers an Associate of Applied Science degree and a Certificate of Achievement in Criminal Justice, as well as courses that prepare students for careers in law enforcement, corrections, probation and parole, and private security. Instructors will teach various courses in the Criminal Justice Department, such as Introduction to Criminal Justice, Criminology, Juvenile Delinquency, Criminal Law, Constitutional Law, and Criminal Investigation. Instructors will receive $850 per credit on standard credit courses.
Eligibility: Applicants must have a master’s degree in criminal justice or a closely related field from a regionally accredited institution; or a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice or a closely related field from a regionally accredited institution and extensive criminal justice experience or professional education like the FBI National Academy, National Executive Institution, or similar programs.
#10 Vital City Summer Internship
Vital City is a policy journal and website that uses data to illuminate New York City’s problems, with an emphasis on public safety, and provide practical solutions to those problems. Responsibilities include but are not limited to attending and participating in weekly status meetings; copy editing news articles; drafting social media content; assisting the research team in collecting data on NYC’s jails and correctional systems; building and maintaining press and outreach lists; and assisting with research for reported articles. Interns will work full-time and receive $20 per hour.
Eligibility: Applicants must have an interest in journalism, urban policy, and New York City, and be willing to take on a range of different tasks in support of the journal; have the ability to accurately enter data into Microsoft Excel and proficiency in Google Suite; and have an interest in courts and corrections.
#11 Community Service Officer Intern
The Washington County Sheriff’s Office is a municipal law enforcement agency that serves and protects the citizens of Washington County, Minnesota. The internship is based in Washington County, Minnesota, and is part of the Community Service Officer Program, a project that provides patrol services and other duties assigned to the citizens of Washington County. Interns will receive $21.00 per hour.
Eligibility: Applicants must have a high school diploma; have a valid driver’s license or have the ability to obtain; have successfully passed a background investigation; and have internship applied toward school credit, preferably in the criminal justice field.
#12 The Rescue Mission of Trenton Substance Abuse Counselor Intern
The Rescue Mission of Trenton is a faith-based non-profit organization that provides shelter, food, clothing, education, counseling, and vocational services to homeless and addicted individuals in Trenton, New Jersey. The internship is based in Trenton, New Jersey, and is part of the Substance Abuse Counseling Services, a program that provides comprehensive and individualized treatment for residents who struggle with substance use disorders. Interns will receive $21.50 to $24.00 per hour.
Eligibility: Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in psychology, social work, or a related field; be actively pursuing certification or licensure as a drug and alcohol counselor by the State of New Jersey; have knowledge of criminal justice system, child welfare system, and mental health system; have knowledge of federal, state, and local ordinances and policies regarding therapeutic issues; have attention to detail; have ability to exercise discretion and sound judgment, maintain confidentiality, foster high ethical standards, and demonstrate integrity.
#13 INTERPOL Internship Programme
INTERPOL is the International Criminal Police Organization, a global organization that facilitates international police cooperation and crime control. The internships are based in various locations around the world, such as Lyon, France; Singapore; Buenos Aires, Argentina; and Abidjan, Ivory Coast. Interns will get work experience in an international organization and understand how international police cooperation works. Interns will work for a minimum of six to a maximum of 11 months, depending on the needs of the hiring service, and receive a monthly allowance of 550 euros (Lyon) or equivalent for different duty stations.
Eligibility: Applicants must be enrolled in, or have graduated from, a post-secondary accredited academic institution within the past year on the date of submission of their application; be a national of one of INTERPOL’s member countries; have attained the legal age of majority in their country of nationality; be fluent in English; and meet the requirements indicated for each specific internship opening for which they wish to apply.
#14 FBI Honors Internship Program
The FBI, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, is a national security and law enforcement agency that protects the American people and upholds the Constitution. Interns will work full-time from June to August in various FBI offices across the country and receive compensation for their contribution. The program can be a direct pipeline to full-time employment after college, as interns may be eligible for permanent positions upon graduation.
Eligibility: Applicants must be U.S. citizens; attend a U.S.-accredited college or university full-time as an undergraduate, graduate, or post-doctoral student; have and maintain a 3.0 cumulative GPA or better; and pass all of the FBI employment background investigation requirements and be able to receive a Top-Secret Clearance.
#15 Policy Internship at the Council for Court Excellence
The Council for Court Excellence (CCE) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization with a mission to enhance the justice system in the District of Columbia to serve the public equitably. The internship is based in Washington, DC, and is part of the Policy Department, a team that conducts research, advances policy, educates the public, and increases civic engagement on various issues related to the adult criminal legal system, the youth criminal legal system, and civil justice. CCE will provide undergraduate interns a $1,500 stipend and graduate and law student interns a $2,000 stipend.
Eligibility: Applicants must be current undergraduate, graduate, or law students with outstanding research, analysis, and writing skills; have an interest in one or more of the following areas: public policy, law, courts (civil, criminal, and administrative), civic engagement, government, journalism, public relations, or resource development; have proof of enrollment; have excellent communication and interpersonal skills; have ability to work independently and collaboratively; have proficiency in Microsoft Office and Google Suite applications; have familiarity with online research tools and databases.
As you can see, there are many opportunities for paid criminal justice internships . These internships can provide you with a hands-on learning experience, a chance to make a difference in your community, and a competitive edge in the job market.
To increase your chances of getting accepted, you should research the internship programs that interest you, tailor your resume and cover letter to the specific requirements, and highlight your relevant skills and achievements.
If you are passionate about criminal justice and want to advance your career, don’t miss this opportunity to apply for one of these amazing paid internships. Good luck!
