The United States Probation Office of the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia Office is looking for criminal justice students for our internship program for Summer 2026. The deadline to apply is March 31, 2026.
Our internship program allows for students to gain a better understanding of the Federal Probation System, as well as the overall innerworkings of the Federal Criminal Justice System. The student’s duties will include shadowing U.S. Probation Officers as they attend court hearings and conduct office operations. Please note that our internship program does not allow for students to go out in the field or encounter any potentially hazardous situations outside of the office. During the internship, students will be gathering and analyzing criminal record information, as well as preparing investigative reports that will be used by our Presentence Investigation Officers. Students will also be exposed to various problem-solving courts, including Reentry, Relapse Prevention, and Mental Health Court. Students will be expected to work independently and conduct themselves in a professional manner. We are looking for hard working individuals who are excited about working in the criminal justice field!
We would also suggest researching (Google) our agency so that students know our mission and how we differ from County and State Probation.
To apply, students will need to submit a cover letter; resume; certified transcript; letter of recommendation from a professor; and a writing sample (of the student’s choice). We ask for a minimum of 24 hours per week (they must commit to three full days in the office per week, Mon.-Fri.). Also, we ask for a 10-week commitment if they apply for the summer program.
Preference is given to students who need the internship for credit, but we will consider others. Preference is also given for Juniors/Seniors and graduate students. If students are planning to complete the internship as part of a course/practicum, (students will need to make sure the internship fits their school’s credit requirements). This internship is not paid, but public transit assistance is offered.
Our application process includes several phases (Backgrounds to begin in mid-April 2026 - Final selections in early May 2026): The first phase includes an in-person interview with our Internship Team. Applicants that make it to the second phase undergo a brief background investigation that includes a criminal check, DMV check, residential visit, and credit check. Finally, all incoming interns must be fingerprinted.
Interviews will be in early April 2026.
The start date is June 1, 2026, and the end date is TBD (usually early August).