Massachusetts State Police Internship: Requirements and Career Pathways

For college students in Massachusetts considering a career in law enforcement, an internship with the Massachusetts State Police (MSP) can be a valuable first step. These internships offer a glimpse into the realities of police work and can provide a competitive edge when applying for jobs after graduation. This article provides an overview of the internship program, its requirements, and potential career paths in criminal justice.

Understanding the Massachusetts State Police Internship Program

The Massachusetts State Police College Internships are civilian (non-sworn) volunteer unpaid positions that may be used for academic credit requirements. The duties of interns selected for the volunteer roles are at the discretion of the intern’s assigned State Police supervisor and in direct relation to the assigned track. Each internship placement and experience will vary depending on placement. Volunteer roles, scope of authority, and attire are commensurate with the tasks assigned by the supervisor. Supervisors of assigned interns will provide appropriate training/guidance required to fulfill volunteer roles and assigned tasks.

Interns will learn about the structure, staffing, mission, activities, programs, and services of the Massachusetts Department of State Police.

The MSP offers internships in various tracks, allowing students to focus on areas of specific interest:

Law Enforcement Track: College students interested in law enforcement careers will be assigned to various State Police units to gain an understanding of officer duties.
Forensic Science Track: This track is limited to college students with science/laboratory-focused majors. Placements will be within the Forensics Services Division (FSD).
Administrative Track: College students interested in administrative careers will be placed within the Division of Administrative Services (DAS) units.

Application Deadlines

The Massachusetts State Police accepts applications for internships on a semester basis. It's important to note the deadlines to ensure timely submission:

Spring Semester (January to May): Apply by October 15th (of the prior year)
Summer Semester (June to August): Apply by March 15th (of the same year)
Fall Semester (September to December): Apply by July 12th (of the same year)

College students interested in participating in the program must initiate the application process by submitting an application online. A background investigation is conducted on students recommended for internships.

General Internship Opportunities in Criminal Justice

Internships are a great way to explore areas of the criminal justice field, build a professional network, gain new skills, and make yourself more marketable for a good job after graduation.

Beyond the State Police, numerous other internships are available in Massachusetts for students interested in criminal justice:

Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)
Massachusetts Department of Children and Families (DCF)
Local Police Departments (e.g., Lowell, Acton, Burlington, Methuen)
Legal Aid Society
Middlesex County Sheriff's Office
Suffolk County Sheriff's Office
Lowell Juvenile Court Probation
Lawrence District Court Probation
Massachusetts Department of Youth Services
Middlesex County District Attorney
Multiple area law firms

The Value of Internship Experience: Student Perspectives

Real-world experience gained through internships is invaluable. Here are testimonials from students who have participated in criminal justice internships:

Kayla Kovacev: "My overall experience working at the Sheriff's Office proved to be beneficial to my education and future career. I consider myself lucky because the internship made my senior year of college so much more valuable. It was the final step I felt I had needed to take before receiving my diploma, which I successfully accomplished. I believe this internship contributed immensely to my education and if I had the chance to do it again, I would."
Eric Miniscalco: "Interning at the Lowell Police Department gave me real insight into policing that you can't get from a classroom. I saw how officers handle situations from community outreach to high-pressure calls. I rode along, asked questions, and observed the job up close. It helped me confirm I want a career in law enforcement. The officers and supervisors were very welcoming and treated me like part of the team. If you're serious about a future in criminal justice, this experience is worth it."
"The internship program at UMass Lowell gave me valuable, hands-on experience in the field of Criminal Justice, expanding my understanding and applying what I have learned in the classroom to my chosen agency. I had the opportunity to work in a unique and specialized role within the Crime Analysis Unit at a police department. This position offered me a behind the scenes look at how data and statistical analysis are used to support public safety efforts. I was able to observe how crime trends are tracked and interpreted, and how that information is used to make informed decisions about officer deployment and resource allocation. It was eye-opening to see the real-world impact of this unit’s work in reducing criminal activity. Additionally, the internship helped me build meaningful professional relationships and expand my network, which I know will be valuable as I continue to pursue a career in Criminal Justice. I benefited greatly from this opportunity and highly suggest participating in this program to students who are unsure about what they want to pursue after their undergraduate career."

Post-Graduation Pathways in Criminal Justice

A degree in criminal justice, coupled with relevant internship experience, can open doors to a wide array of career paths. These can be broadly categorized as follows:

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Federal, State, and Local Agencies:
- Law enforcement
- Homeland security
- Intelligence and crime analysis
- Juvenile justice systems
- Legal systems: courts, prosecution, defense
- Corrections, re-entry, probation/parole
- Victim services
- Re-entry support services
- Community-based crime prevention
Private Sector:
- Industrial security/cybersecurity
- Criminal justice technology
- Private investigation
Policy and Research:
- Reform/advocacy organizations
- Legislative staff positions (federal, state)
- Research organizations
Advanced Studies:
- Legal careers/law school
- Clinical careers (e.g., counseling, forensic psychology)
- Research/advanced analysis (masters/Ph.D.)

Resources for Career Planning

Several resources can assist students in exploring career paths and securing internships or employment:

Career & Co-op Center: The Career & Co-op Center is a great resource for students exploring career paths related to your major. Career Counselors can help identify experiential opportunities to give you insight into career paths, help with job/internship searches, resume and cover letter development, interviewing and other related skills. It describes occupations in terms of the skills and knowledge required, how the work is performed and typical work settings. This is a great resource for career exploration, job specific salary research and more.
Handshake: UMass Lowell’s on-campus recruiting system, Handshake, is where employers post positions for prospective interns, co-ops, entry-level and experienced candidates. Also find the Career & Co-op events schedule and registration system here.

Becoming a Police Officer in Massachusetts

For those specifically interested in becoming a police officer in Massachusetts, there are specific steps to follow:

Civil Service Exam: Sign up, complete, and pass the civil service entry-level police exam. For departments following the civil service process, the civil service exam is required of those who are interested in becoming correctional officers, firefighters, or police officers in the state of Massachusetts. The civil service entry-level police exam occurs once annually. Keep in mind that you are required to be a minimum of 19 years old to apply for the exam and no more than 39 years old on the date of your examination.
Eligible List: After passing the civil service exam, candidates will be placed on the eligible list along with their scores. A score of 70 is considered a passing score. Civil Service Law permits towns/cities to ask that residents be placed on the eligible list before nonresidents. A “resident” is defined as a person who has lived in a particular town/city for a full year before the date of the examination.
Application and Testing: If your name is reached on the list, you will be contacted directly by the police department looking to hire and be asked to complete a formal application. Candidates who are offered a job will need to pass a medical test and a Physical Ability Test (PAT). More information about those tests can be provided here. As of an employee’s start date, candidates must have either a high school diploma or equivalency certificate approved by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education or three years of experience in the armed forces of the United States with last release or discharge under honorable conditions. Candidates are required to be 21 years old, must be a resident of Massachusetts, have no felony convictions, have a valid Massachusetts driver’s license, and be a non-smoker.

Note that there are many towns/cities in Massachusetts that are considered non-civil service towns, such as Lakeville and Freetown. Non-civil service towns/cities have their own hiring processes and requirements. The civil service entry-level police exam is not required for non-civil service towns/cities. Candidates need to apply directly to the non-civils service towns/cities of interest.

If you have made it through all the above requirements and are offered a job with a Massachusetts police department, you will be required to graduate from the Massachusetts Police Academy prior to your official start date. It is quite an accomplishment to make it his far.

POST Certification in Massachusetts

It is important to understand the certification requirements for law enforcement officers in Massachusetts. An individual cannot be hired or actively employed as a law enforcement officer in Massachusetts if they are not certified by POST (Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission). Here's a breakdown of the different certification statuses:

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Certified: The officer has met all necessary requirements and is certified for three years.
Certified/SRO: School Resource Officer: (SRO) A sworn municipal police officer appointed by the Chief of Police who has completed SRO training and fulfilled other requirements for certification under M.G.L.
Conditionally Certified: The officer has complied with only some recertification requirements. See M.G.L. c. 6E, § 3(a). To maintain certification, the officer must satisfy each of the conditions listed in their notice within the indicated timeframe. Once the Commission determines that all conditions have been met, the status will change to “Certified.” Officers must remain in compliance with Chapter 6E and all Commission regulations. In addition, an officer on excused medical, military, or administrative leave who has not completed recertification requirements will be classified as “Conditionally Certified” with the restriction that they cannot perform police duties or functions.
Not Certified: Officers who have failed to meet one or more recertification requirements under M.G.L. c. 6E, § 4(f)(1) and 555 CMR 7.06. As a result, the Commission cannot renew their certification. These individuals are not eligible for employment as law enforcement officers in Massachusetts.
Decertified: An individual who has been decertified by the Commission. A decertified officer cannot work for any law enforcement agency and will be added to the National Decertification Index (NDI).
Suspended: An officer who is arrested, charged, or indicted for a felony will have their certification suspended immediately. The Commission may also suspend certification after a preliminary inquiry if an officer is charged with a misdemeanor that affects fitness to serve, or if suspension is deemed in the public interest. Officers whose certification has been suspended will be listed on the monthly suspension list. Suspended officers may not perform any police duties or functions.
Administratively Suspended: Officer fails to complete in-service training requirements within 90 days of the deadline imposed by the Commission; or an officer with a duty to report information to the Commission fails to do so. See MGL Chapter 6E, Section 9, Paragraph 5 b and c.
Restricted: An officer who is not currently affiliated with a recognized law enforcement agency and does not meet the criteria for “Expired” status.
Unassociated: An officer who is not currently employed by a law enforcement agency.

Additional Programs and Opportunities

Cadet Program: The MSP Cadet Program is a PAID program where individuals train and learn alongside members of the Massachusetts State Police. To be eligible, candidates must pass the MSP Cadet Exam.
Suicide Prevention Awareness: The Massachusetts State Police reminds anyone struggling with mental health to know that they are not alone, offering resources and support. If you or someone you love needs support, call or text 9-8-8 for free, confidential resources. The Employee Assistance Unit is also available for Troopers and professional members of the Department.

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