What Is a Probation Officer Internship and How to Become One
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What Are the Qualifications to Get a Probation Officer Internship?
The primary qualification that you need to get a probation officer internship includes enrollment in an undergraduate program with a major in criminal justice or criminology. Some programs accept students in social work or legal studies bachelor's degree programs as well. Students seeking a probation officer internship needs to be able to take direction from a probation officer or another supervising administrator, perform research online and through books and other hard copy, and communicate with both the clients sentenced to probation as well as law enforcement and social service professionals. Internships can last for one school term (a semester or a quarter) or an entire school year.
What Are Probation Officer Internship Opportunities?
Probation officer internship programs allow aspiring probation officers to shadow professionals in the field and gain hands-on experience. Specific job duties vary, depending on the municipality and the type of internship program. General responsibilities as an intern may include contacting relevant authorities to provide or obtain information, performing background research on clients, and entering data into the department's filing system. Some undergraduate programs in criminal justice or other law enforcement-related fields require you to complete an internship to graduate. Probation officer internships teach you case management skills, and you help assess the needs of each offender to ensure that they comply with the terms of their probation sentence.
