Several programs in the Social and Behavioral Sciences Department offer internship opportunities. See below for descriptions and contact information. Students are also encouraged to utilize CMU Career Services and Handshake, an online resource that helps connect CMU students with employers for internships.
Criminal Justice
The Criminal Justice Program offer internship opportunities that provide valuable field experience and aid in the transition from student to practitioner. Some students have even been offered jobs by the agency at which they interned. Students have interned with the Grand Junction Police Department, Mesa County Sheriff's Office, the FBI and DEA, US Marshals Service, parole, probation, the public defender’s office, and the Center for Children. Interns register for CRMJ 499 for course credit. Students interested in an internship may get in contact with any of the Criminal Justice faculty members.
Forensic Anthropology
Interns are the backbone of the Forensic Investigation Research Station and assist in most aspects of running the facility. They assist in body placement, maceration, labeling skeletal remains, data collection, photography, and maintaining databases related to the FIRS materials. They may also complete individual research projects. Interns are registered for a formal course, FOAN 499, for 1 to 3 credits. Potential interns may register for FOAN 499 with the consent of FIRS Director, Dr. Connor. Interns do not need to be Forensic Anthropology minors. Interested students may visit this page for more information or contact Dr. Melissa Connor.
History
The Public History Internship (History 499-3 credits) is designed to give students direct experience doing public history work. The history internship is designed as either a stand-alone class or part of the public history minor core offerings (along with the courses and History 405: Introduction to Public History and History 409 Material Culture Studies.) History interns may undertake their work in a variety of settings, ranging from federal land management agencies (examples: National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management), U.S. Department of Energy) or with the Museum of the West in Grand Junction (exhibit and artifact research, Special Collections, or the Cross Orchards Living History Farm). Other students have also gained valuable experience working on campus with the CMU Archives and Special Collections.
Particularly notable is the work done by several students with the City of Grand Junction. CMU history interns have assisted the City of Grand Junction to design an interpretive plan for the new Los Colonias Park after doing extensive research about the changing historical character of the park’s location. Their plan was presented to the Grand Junction City Council. Their research also became the basis for a Historical Exhibit in the Tomlinson Library on the CMU Campus. To learn more about the Public History Internship, contact Dr. Pam Krch.
Political Science
An attractive aspect of studying political science at Colorado Mesa University is the opportunity to intern in a variety of settings in Washington, D.C., Denver, and Grand Junction. Academic internships provide students the chance to acquire practical experience while increasing the opportunity to network. Many of our former student interns are now working in jobs they obtained directly as a result of their intern experience. Political science students have interned in the United States Congress, the Colorado General Assembly, local governments, law firms, and nonprofits. For more information on political science internships, contact Dr. Justin Gollob.
Psychology
Many psychology students complete internships. Students in the generalist major can choose an elective internship of their own design, supervised by a faculty member. Psychology interns have done research for a local homeless shelter, worked in applied health psychology for a local outpatient facility, worked for our local United Way, and much more.
In the counseling degree program, students can work in a field placement mentored by a professional. Placements include local agencies, private practices, hospital-based settings, the local school district, and many more. Students in the field placement course are supervised both by a faculty member and by a community professional. For more information on psychology internships, contact Dr. Jacob Jones.
Social Work
The Social Work Program has developed unique partnerships and collaborations with multiple agencies in the Grand Valley. The field practicum will provide opportunities in an array of agencies, including public, non-profit, multidisciplinary, inpatient and outpatient services, human services, end of life, addiction, law enforcement, senior care facilities, schools, community clinics, medical, and mental health for you to develop and apply your social work skills. Diverse practicum sites ensure that you have exposure to ample social work career paths and field opportunities. Students are expected to complete 450 hours (approximately 15 hours a week for both fall and springs semesters) of field training during your senior year practicums. For more information on the BSW Field Practicum, click here.