
Beyond the Classroom
department of Criminal Justice and Public Administration
The Herd belongs in the community.
Every step outside campus allows our Mastodons show off their knowledge and skills. Find opportunities to implement in the real world the theories and ideas you learn in the classroom. With an internship, you’ll have every chance to build an impressive résumé that will take you where you want to go.


EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING AND INTERNSHIPS
The start of great things.
- Gain experience in your field with real projects, clients, and employers
- Improve chances of gaining employment after graduation
- Explore careers and gain realistic expectations
- Receive support from Purdue Fort Wayne
- Apply classroom theories to the work environment and gain insight into future class topics
- Grow your network and establish valuable references
Your advisor and a faculty mentor can help you have a beneficial experience where you can earn academic credits and gain real-world experience.
- Allen County Commissioner
- Allen County Adult Probation
- Allen County Office of Homeland Security
- Allen County Public Defender’s Office
- Allen County Superior Court
- Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeast Indiana
- Erin’s House for Grieving Children
- Federal Law Enforcement Training Center
- Fort Wayne Police Department
- Lutheran Hospital
- Mental Health Association of Allen County
- Neighborhood Health Clinics Inc.
- Parkview Hospital
- The Literacy Alliance
Internship FAQ
Undergraduate students must have achieved a junior or senior standing and must have a 2.0 cumulative GPA and a 2.3 core/major GPA. Graduate students must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0.
You may begin an internship anytime during the calendar year to best fit into your personal and academic schedules.
You should contact Daniel Patten, assistant professor and internship coordinator, at [email protected] or
260-481-6313 for assistance in locating a sponsor. Internship opportunities are available in many professional areas, including law, corrections, probation, education, health, community services, government, and private business.
Thirty hours of supervised work is equal to 1 hour of undergraduate or graduate academic credit. CRIM 48000 Internship in Criminal Justice may count for 1 to 6 credit hours in any given semester. The department administrative assistant will help you enroll in the appropriate course.
Graduate internship hours may fulfill only the experiential component requirement under PADM 58500 Practicum in Public Administration. It is best to check with your academic advisor to answer any questions about how the credit will count toward your degree.
All internships are pass or fail. These credit hours do not impact your GPA unless you fail to complete the internship requirements.
Undergraduate students must have achieved a junior or senior standing and must have a 2.0 cumulative GPA and a 2.3 core/major GPA. Graduate students must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0.
You should contact Daniel Patten, assistant professor and internship coordinator, at [email protected] or
260-481-6313 for assistance in locating a sponsor. Internship opportunities are available in many professional areas, including law, corrections, probation, education, health, community services, government, and private business.
You may begin an internship anytime during the calendar year to best fit into your personal and academic schedules.
Thirty hours of supervised work is equal to 1 hour of undergraduate or graduate academic credit. CRIM 48000 Internship in Criminal Justice may count for 1 to 6 credit hours in any given semester. The department administrative assistant will help you enroll in the appropriate course.
Graduate internship hours may fulfill only the experiential component requirement under PADM 58500 Practicum in Public Administration. It is best to check with your academic advisor to answer any questions about how the credit will count toward your degree.
All internships are pass or fail. These credit hours do not impact your GPA unless you fail to complete the internship requirements.
Student Organizations
ALPHA PHI SIGMA
The honor society for criminal justice majors.
Criminal Justice Association
Share your passion.
PI ALPHA ALPHA
Make lasting connections.


Study Abroad
Let the world be your classroom.
Your college experience is special—and uniquely yours. Imagine enhancing it by taking your studies overseas. Living and learning in a different country will foster both your independence and your personal development. Through this experience, and the knowledge you’ll gain living like a local, you’ll emerge with a new perspective.