In this exciting internship opportunity, you will work directly with detectives in the Michigan State Police First District Cold Case Unit to assist in their investigation of cold case homicides. You'll gain experience working in the cold case library and networking with criminal justice professionals.
Online MS in Law Enforcement Intelligence and Analysis: Cold Case Unit
Get Cold Case Experience
In this exciting internship opportunity, you will work directly with detectives in the Michigan State Police First District Cold Case Unit to assist in their investigation of cold case homicides. You'll gain experience working in the cold case library and networking with criminal justice professionals.
Immerse Yourself in the Cold Case Process
Michigan State University is proud to offer a unique learning opportunity by partnering with the Michigan State Police First District Cold Case Unit. Throughout the semester, you will work with detectives on cases to organize and digitize cases, help determine any new possible leads, reexamine evidence and identify new sources of information.
As part of CJ894 internship, you will spend nine hours per week with MSP detectives at the Michigan State Police Annex in Diamondale, Michigan. With your assistance, the cold case unit can better determine what information needs to be located and new investigative leads to pursue so these cases can get the attention they deserve. You will also get to hear from various expert guest speakers and travel to key locations relevant to the cases you work on.
As a victim-centered and offender-focused unit, the goal is to ensure the centrality of victims in the design and implementation of our cold case investigative processes and procedures. You will be part of a team that's dedicated to a compassionate approach toward the survivors and victims of the cases you cover.
Course Spotlight: CJ 894 Practicum Internship
Observe, study and work in select criminal justice agencies and participate in domestic and foreign criminal justice systems. Students can use this course to work in a variety of internship settings. One option is to work with the Michigan State Police First District Cold Case Unit for 3 credit hours per semester.
Course Spotlight: CJ 894 Practicum Internship
Observe, study and work in select criminal justice agencies and participate in domestic and foreign criminal justice systems. Students can use this course to work in a variety of internship settings. One option is to work with the Michigan State Police First District Cold Case Unit for 3 credit hours per semester.
Earn Vital Skills Through Hands-On Work
Through your work with the Michigan State Police First District Cold Case Unit, you'll work with law enforcement professionals on cases to gain the skills you need to be successful in your future career. This internship opportunity is designed to give you training in case analysis, investigation, cultural and societal crime factors and more.
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Who Should Participate in the Cold Case Unit?
The cold case unit internship is meant for undergraduate and graduate students from the School of Criminal Justice who want to develop their knowledge of cold case work in a real-world setting. This is particularly valuable for students who plan to do this type of work upon graduation and are interested in helping victims and their families find justice.
This internship fills quickly, and there are a limited number of spaces available each semester. If you are in the Michigan area and interested in participating, it's important to prioritize early application and a faculty reference. Watch your MSU email for announcements.
How to Apply to the Cold Case Unit Internship
Each semester, MSP opens the internship opportunity for students in the School of Criminal Justice. Students will be notified of the application portal opening in October for the spring semester and April for the fall semester. The application portal is open for approximately one week. The application process includes:
- A letter of intent from the student
- A faculty member reference
- If selected:
- Completion of paperwork, including a nondisclosure agreement
- Completion of a background check
MSP will review each applicant, and the final decisions on acceptance to the internship are made at the discretion of MSP. Students who are selected will then reach out to the career advisor in the School of Criminal Justice to complete the necessary internship paperwork and enroll in the course for the following semester.
Request More Information
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Frequently Asked Questions
Faculty in the MS in Law Enforcement Intelligence and Analysis program are experts in their fields and dedicated to the success of our students. For more information, you can visit our faculty page.
To apply to the Cold Case Unit internship, students will need a letter of intent and a faculty member reference submitted within the application window (approximately one week). For more information, see the "How to Apply to the Cold Case Unit Internship" section above. The one week is fluid each start. Watch your MSU email for announcement of the application process.
The skills developed in the MS in Law Enforcement Intelligence and Analysis program and the cold case unit internship will prepare students for investigative and analytical careers in law enforcement.
The first step is to start your application.
Due to the limited space and hands-on nature of the cold case unit internship, students who intend to participate must be available to work on-site in Michigan.