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Forensic & Investigative Science Program
Internship Site Selection

• Site Selection
• Background Checks & Ethics
• Internship Grading
• Internship FAQs
• Internship Forms

All students must make a formal application to the program for the internship. This marks the beginning of the site selection process as described below.

Site Selection Process

A list of sites, acceptable in past semesters, will be made available to students. Although it is likely that a selected site listed will be approved, it is possible that recent changes in personnel or policies at the site could influence the availability or suitability of the site. There is no guarantee that a student will be placed at any of their preferred sites.

The student may contact the Internship Coordinator for a list of possible placement sites, an application form, and other materials. In addition to the suggested list, the student may seek out unlisted sites. The Director and/or Assistant Director will screen sites any unlisted in order to determine if the site is suitable for internships. Any student who does not communicate with the Internship Coordinator places themselves at risk of receiving an unsatisfactory grade for their internship.

The student may then make further inquiries. The following may prove helpful:

• An interview with the Internship Coordinator
• Discussing sites of interest with faculty
• Discussing sites of interest with other students who have information regarding sites.

It is recommended that students begin to search for a site in the Fall semester but in no case apply later than December 1 for the summer semester and no later than two months prior to the end of the semester proceeding the semester of their scheduled internship .Certain sites, especially federal (e.g. the USSS) and state organizations, have lengthy procedures that need completion at a very early date. Any student which has aspirations of completing an internship at such a site must ensure that they are aware of the timelines which are involved in such an application.

Programmatic Approval of Sites

After having secured the information necessary to make a decision, the student will submit an Internship Application form, along with 5 copies of their resume or vita, to the Internship Coordinator. The Coordinator, in conjunction with the Director and/or Assistant Director, will decide of the request is appropriate. The following criteria will be used as guidelines for the placement of students for internships:

• Student preference
• Number of students accepted at the particular site
• Availability of the appropriate on-site supervision
• Capacity and willingness of the site to meet with program objectives
• Capacity and willingness of the student to fulfill the expectations of the internship site.

Confirmation of Internship Site

After the site is approved, the Internship Coordinator will forward the student�s resume, a letter of introduction, a description of expectations and requirements, and a contract to the selected internship site. The contract must be returned to the Internship Coordinator if the site deems the student acceptable to be placed as an intern.

The student may then arrange for a formal interview at the site. It is the responsibility of each student to arrange an interview. Every student should initiate their own request for an interview at the approved site. After the interview, the internship site will return the contract to the Internship Coordinator, who in turn will forward a copy of the contract to the student for their signature. If any student fails to arrange for an interview, then such a student forfeits all placement privileges.

Once signed, the contract must be returned to the Internship Coordinator and the placement is considered to be complete. If, for any reason, the student decides not to take up the approved internship or fails to uphold any related responsibility, then:

• The Program has no further responsibility in finding an internship site for the student
• All other students will receive priority when being assign other available internship sites.

If, for whatever reason, the site interviewer rejects the student, the Coordinator will notify the student and the process will begin again.