Practical experience through internships and courses with applied dimensions are important components of the Law and Justice Program. Our internships in an agency or organization, not only offer students practical experience but also give students a sense of the types of jobs available and the nature of the work and work conditions involved in those jobs.

An important objective of our internships is to give students an opportunity to apply and develop the knowledge and skills they have obtained in their Law and Justice curriculum: An internship can enhance students’ understanding of the nature and operation of laws, and how they are interpreted and applied. An internship can deepen students understanding of ethical issues related to their future careers that have been discussed in the classroom; and, it can provide students with a better understanding of the significance and importance of the research skills they developed in their coursework.

Law-related Internships and Applied Courses:
The Law and Justice Program provides students with opportunities to explore and test their interest in and capacity for law-related or criminal justice careers under the direction and supervision of faculty as well as an on-site fieldwork supervisor.

Our students have worked with legal professionals in various types of government agencies and law-related offices and organizations, engaged in fieldwork research in legal settings, participated in simulated courtroom trials (LAW 305-Trial Advocacy), and done in-depth exploration of a specific legal issue or aspect of legal work. The Law and Justice Program Faculty Committee, with its diverse faculty, have a wide network of contacts in the legal community. Our students have worked with judges, civil and criminal attorneys, politicians, advocacy and lobbying groups, community organizations, bar associations and various private justice agencies.

Criminal Justice Internships and Applied Courses:
Rider University, located near the nation’s capital and numerous criminal justice agencies, is ideally situated to provide students with a wide range of internship experiences related to criminal justice. Our introductory seminar in criminal justice provides students with an understanding of the wide range of types of jobs available in the criminal justice field (LAW 207: Criminal Justice Practice).  After developing their knowledge of the criminal justice system available in our curriculum, our students have had internships in federal, state, county and local agencies and offices as well as private organizations and law firms. Our students have worked with judges, criminal investigators, forensics experts, state and local police officers, investigators, court administrators, parole and probation officers, prosecutors, and defense attorneys.

Qualifications to apply for an internship: Students must have completed a minimum of 60 credits and have at least a 2.75 GPA in order to undertake an internship.

Requirements

  • A faculty member from the Law and Justice Committee must agree to supervise the internship. Students who want an internship must obtain permission from the Law and Justice Faculty member at least two months prior to the beginning of the internship.
  • All internships for the Program must be approved by the Law and Justice Director prior to registration.
  • A student intern is required to work for the assigned agency a minimum of 48 hours for each credit earned. For three (3) credits a student must work a minimum of 144 hours. During the Fall and Spring semesters, internships shall normally be 13 weeks in duration. During the Summer sessions, internships shall normally be 5 weeks in duration.
  • Individual agencies may have additional internship work hour requirements beyond the minimum.

Sample Law and Justice Internships and Field Work Placements

State, County, City Offices

  • NJ Office of the Public Defender
  • County Prosecutor’s Offices
  • NJ Superior Court
  • NJ State Police
  • NJ State Police Forensic Laboratory
  • NJ County of Consumer Affairs Offices
  • NJ Juvenile Justice Commission
  • Juvenile Justice Agencies
  • Local Police Departments

Federal Offices

  • U.S. Attorney’s Office
  • Federal Magistrate, U.S. Court House
  • Federal Public Defender
  • F.B.I. Offices

Private Offices and Agencies

  • NJ Association on Correction
  • Private Law Offices