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    Internships

    Learn about the opportunities for college students to intern at PSP.

    PSP Internship program

    The Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) Unpaid College Internship Program offers an exciting and rewarding experience that introduces college students to the opportunities and disciplines of the law enforcement field. Interns work alongside department personnel in varying assignments, are exposed to effective problem-solving and partnership-building skills, and gain a better understanding of department operations. Internships may occur at a Troop, 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

    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 Sections/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 second-degree misdemeanor or higher under Pennsylvania's Crimes Code (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 at which the internship is requested

    Application materials must be submitted via email to: ra-pypsdcinternships@pa.gov.

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