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Internships

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Internships provide excellent résumé material, give students real-world work experience, help students define their career goals, enable networking opportunities, and provide the potential to serve as a gateway for employment at the host agency or organization.

They help build professional networks or possibly secure employment upon graduation.

With over 100 agencies in Northern Kentucky/Greater Cincinnati, internships have been completed in government agencies at local, state, and federal levels, nonprofit organizations, and the private sector.

For more information, contact Experiential Learning Coordinator Rhea Floyd at floydr3@nku.edu // 859-572-1961.

Organizational Leadership students interested in pursuing a leadership practicum should email Orgleadership@nku.edu for details.

Requirements:
internships
  1. Minimum GPA of 2.75 in major/minor
  2. Successful completion of major core courses: 
    • Criminal Justice major/minor - Completed 9 credit hours of core courses, including JUS 101
    • Political Science major/minor- Completed 12 credit hours of core courses, including PSC 100
    • Law, B.A. major - Completed 12 credit hours of core courses including, JUS 101, PSC 100, PSC 204
    • Pre-Law minor - Completed 9 credit hours of core courses including, PSC 204 and LAW 300
    • International Studies major/minor - contact internship coordinator
    • Public Service minor - contact internship coordinator
    • Organizational Leadership major/minor - contact internship coordinator
  3. Nature of internship - must be relevant to the major/minor in the department seeking academic credit. 
  4. Complete and sign the Course Application Form to receive permit to register for the course. 
    • Contact floydr3@nku.edu to receive the form.

Differences between a co-op and an internship

 

  • A co-op is a paid work experience related to the student’s major (or minor), with academic credit earned.  The student enters into an agreement among the employer, a specific faculty member in the academic department, and Career Services staff. Co-op credit is initiated through Career Services. Co-op Credit (CEP 300)
  • An internship is a curricular work experience that may or may not be paid and may or may not be for academic credit.  Internship credit can be applied toward the following majors:
    • Criminal Justice - up to 6 credit hours
    • International Studies - up to 3 credit hours
    • Political Science - up to 3 credit hours
    • Law - up to 3 credit hours
    • Organizational Leadership - no credit toward the major; can be applied toward general elective credit; contact advisor for more information.
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Criminal Justice Career Fair

The Criminal Justice program hosts an annual fall career fair with
representatives from federal, state, and local government, in addition
to non-profit organizations and law schools. This is a great opportunity
to learn about internships and entry-level job positions in the field.

2025 date TBA
Wednesday, October 2, 2024
SU Ballroom

More information at NKU Career Services

List of Agencies (via Handshake)

Law School Fair
Future Leaders Internship Program (FLIP)
Future Leaders Internship Program (FLIP) fellows are placed with a Northern Kentucky legislator as they serve in the General Assembly each spring semester.
 

Internship Examples

There are many opportunities for students in the Northern Kentucky/Greater Cincinnati region, but the following is a selection of organizations with internship programs that may interest Criminal Justice, International Studies, Law, and Political Science students. Students are expected to secure their own internship with approval from the internship coordinator prior to enrollment in the course. 

Experiential Learning Coordinator

Rhea Floyd
859-572-1961
floydr3@nku.edu