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Unpaid College Internships

The Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) Unpaid College Internship Program is designed to offer an exciting and rewarding experience that introduces college students to the opportunities and disciplines within the law enforcement field. Throughout the program, interns will work alongside department personnel in varying assignments. Interns are exposed to effective problem solving and partnership building skills and gain a better understanding of the day-to-day operations of the department. Internships may occur within a Troop location, Bureau, or Office.

  • Troop/Bureau internships are at least 160 hours in length  
  • Governor’s Office of Homeland Security internships are 120-180 hours in length 

Important Deadlines

  • Summer Semester internship applications will be accepted between December 1 and June 1 
  • Fall Semester internship applications will be accepted between March 1 and August 1  
  • Spring Semester internship applications will be accepted between August 1 and December 1

Educational Requirements

Troop/Bureau Internships

Applicants must be enrolled in an accredited Bachelor’s Degree program (or higher) and have satisfactorily completed 60 credits.

Bureau of Forensic Services

Applicants must be enrolled in an accredited Bachelor’s Degree program (or higher) in chemistry, biology, forensic science, or a closely related physical or natural science and have satisfactorily completed 60 credits, including 12 credits in chemistry, and maintained a GPA of 3.0 or higher.

Applicants for Forensic DNA Division opportunities must be enrolled in an accredited Master’s Degree program in a forensic science-related field and have satisfactorily completed 15 credits within the program.  

Bureau of Training & Education

Internships are available in each of the following Section/Units:

  • Education, Testing, and Curriculum Development Section
  • Physical Education Unit
  • Media Unit

Applicants for the Education, Testing, and Curriculum Development Section must be enrolled in an accredited Master’s Degree program and have satisfactorily completed 15 credits within the program.

Applicants for the Physical Education Unit and Media Unit must be enrolled in an accredited Bachelor’s degree program (or higher) and have satisfactorily completed 60 credits.

Bureau of Criminal Investigation

Applicants must be enrolled in an accredited Bachelor’s degree program (or higher) in criminal justice, homeland security, or a closely related field and have satisfactorily completed 60 credits.

Governor’s Office of Homeland Security

Applicants must be enrolled in an accredited Bachelor's degree program (or higher) in criminal justice, homeland security, political science, cyber security, or related fields and have satisfactorily completed 60 credits.

Additional Requirements for all Programs

Applicants shall have no adult criminal conviction graded Misdemeanor 2 or higher under PA Title 18 (or its equivalent for out-of-state and federal convictions).

Applicants must have a valid driver’s license (e.g. Classes A, B, or C) and may be required to drive their personal vehicle to their assigned work location at their own expense.

How to Apply

Applicants must provide a current resume and current transcript along with a cover letter addressed to the Human Resources Manager, Public Safety Delivery Center, specifying the following:

  • Future career plans
  • Why the internship is desired
  • The specific Troop, Bureau, or Office Location for which the internship is requested

Available internship opportunities are posted on the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s employment website at employment.pa.gov. Please apply directly to any postings of interest.

Questions regarding Pennsylvania State Police internship opportunities should be directed to ra-spinternships@pa.gov.

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is proud to be an equal opportunity employer supporting workforce diversity.