15 Forensic Psychology Internships for UndergraduatesÂ
- Stephen Turban
- 12 minutes ago
- 11 min read
Forensic psychology is a growing field that looks at how psychology is used within the criminal justice system. For undergraduates interested in this area, related subjects like law, criminology, and behavioral science can provide an early foundation and help you decide which direction within forensic psychology interests you most.
Taking part in forensic psychology internships as an undergraduate gives you hands-on experience in settings such as research labs, courts, or correctional facilities. These internships help you build practical skills, understand how psychology is applied in legal contexts, and form a network of mentors and professionals in the field. They also show your commitment to the subject, which can strengthen future graduate school or career applications.
To help you explore the right opportunities, we’ve listed 15 forensic psychology internships for undergraduates! If you're looking for more prestigious internships, check out this set of blogs!
15 Forensic Psychology Internships for Undergraduates
Location: Remote
Cost/Stipend: Starting from $2,490
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 1-on-1 personalized internships
Dates: Multiple 8-week cohorts throughout the year
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort
Eligibility: Undergraduate students
Ladder Internships is a highly selective virtual program where students work on real-world projects for startups in fields like health tech, biotechnology, AI, and sustainability. You’ll be paired with a company coach who provides structured feedback and professional guidance every week. You’ll gain experience in research and communication, wrap up the program with a final presentation, and walk away with a strong addition to your resume. Placements are aligned with each student’s interests, and financial assistance is available. Alumni have gone on to attend universities such as Stanford, Princeton, and UC Berkeley.
Location: NYC Department of Probation, NY | Placements are possible across all 5 boroughs
Cost/Stipend: NYC government internships are typically paid; however, details are not publicly available for this internship
Dates: At least three months; dates determined between the intern and the DOP
Application Deadline: Varies; year-long program
Eligibility: Undergraduate students with a minimum GPA of 2.8 | Students should attend college in or near NYC to participate in this in-person internship
The NYC Department of Probation hosts interns throughout the year for forensic psychology internships focused on pre-sentence investigations, intake, and probation supervision. You’ll help improve NYC’s community safety by supporting the rehabilitation of individuals in the criminal justice system and reducing recidivism through positive opportunities. You’ll gain insight into forensic psychology research and real-world applications by learning about individuals’ personal and criminal backgrounds, and seeing how this shapes prosecution procedures, sentencing, and observation during probation.
Location: New York, NY, and White Plains, NY
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Multiple but limited openings available; students are placed in individual positions
Dates: Varies; coordinated between SDNY and interns | Options are available during the school year and over the summer
Application Deadline: Applications open on April 1 with rolling admissions
Eligibility: Undergraduate juniors or seniors with at least a 2.5 GPA | Applicants must be able to pass a background check
Designed for students studying criminal justice and/or social science disciplines like psychology, the SDNY Probation Office hosts interns throughout the year to complete real-world forensics work. You’ll concentrate on presentence investigation and post-conviction supervision, compiling a social history of defendants, like education, criminal history, and mental health, to inform how individuals are sentenced and rehabilitated. You’ll be appointed to a division matching your field of study as closely as possible based on the Office’s needs, helping you to get a close look at forensic psychology by working with officers on special projects. More detailed information is available here.
Location: Manhattan District Attorney’s Office, New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: Stipend of $560/week for full-time summer interns; hourly compensation or academic credit for semester internshipsÂ
Dates: 9 weeks beginning June 1 (Summer internships) | September - December (Fall Semester) | January - May (Spring Semester)
Application Deadline: Applications open on January 15 and close February 1 (Summer) | Applications open on April 1 and close May 1 (Fall Semester) | Applications open on October 1 and close November 1 (Spring Semester)
Eligibility: Current undergraduate sophomores and juniors | Must attend school in NYC for semester internships due to in-person work | Competitive applicants will have taken at least one course in criminal law or a similar field
The Manhattan DA’s Office offers semester and summer internships for college students interested in criminal justice, forensic psychology, and legal careers. As an intern, you’ll assist in investigations, observe witness interviews, support victims of crime, attend trials, analyze legal documents, and review pending legislation. Your tasks will be matched to your interests and skills, with chances to focus on forensic work or legal analysis. You’ll also join career development activities like a weekly lecture series, lunch discussions, and Appellate Argument exercises if you’re exploring law school or legal advocacy.
Location: SDNY U.S. Attorney’s Offices in Manhattan or White Plains, NY
Cost: Free
Dates: 8 weeks in June - August (Summer), September - December (Fall), or January - April (Spring)
Application Deadline: February 15 (Summer), May 31 (Fall), or September 30 (Spring) | Applications open 2-4 weeks before the deadline
Eligibility: Current college students who are U.S. citizens | Applicants must pass an in-depth background check
SDNY’s U.S. Attorney’s Office offers forensic psychology internships for undergraduates who want to contribute directly to real-world federal investigations. You can apply for semester or summer placements, with forensic-focused roles most commonly found in the Criminal Division or Case Team. In the Criminal Division, you’ll work on cases involving firearms trafficking, cybercrime, and gang violence. You might sit in on witness interviews, transcribe 911 calls and bodycam footage, and organize evidence and exhibits for trial. If you have strengths in computer science or data analysis, the Case Team is a better fit. You’ll review digital evidence from social media or seized phones, check bank records for fraud, and learn forensic software tools to analyze criminal activity.
Location: Varies by student proposal; in-person with faculty host
Cost: $4,000 stipend to fellows; $1,000 to faculty hosts
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Very competitive, a maximum of 25 fellows yearly
Dates: Minimum of 9 weeks during the summer Â
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: U.S. and Canadian undergraduates majoring in psychology or a related field | Applicants must submit a proposal alongside their proposed faculty host
APA’s SUPER Fellowship offers you a funded summer research opportunity if you’re an undergraduate student facing financial or institutional barriers to advanced research. You’ll receive $4,000 to complete a student-designed psychology research project, co-developed and mentored by a faculty host of your choice. If you're interested in forensic psychology, you can tailor your project to that field by identifying a professor with relevant expertise, ideally at your own college, though outside mentors are allowed. Your mentor must commit to 9 weeks of close supervision, including regular meetings focused on research progress, academic development, and career planning.
Location: Multiple locations in Massachusetts
Cost/Stipend: Undergraduate interns are paid $20/hour
Dates: Vary in timeline/duration based on internship
Application Deadline: Applications are accepted from September through November for summer internships
Eligibility: Undergraduate and graduate students | Agencies may have additional criteria for applicants
EOPSS offers paid summer internships for undergraduates interested in public safety, criminal justice, and forensic psychology. You can apply to specific agencies across the Executive Office based on your interests and skills. For forensic psychology experience, you should explore placements at the Massachusetts State Police Crime Lab, Department of Correction, Department of Criminal Justice Information Services, or the Massachusetts Parole Board.
Depending on your placement, you might contribute to forensic services in crime scene investigations, assist with expert testimony preparation, support reentry programming for incarcerated individuals, or help supervise parolees.Â
Location: Worcester, MA
Cost: Free
Dates: June - August (Summer), September - December (Fall), or January - May (Spring)
Application Deadline: Varies by season
Eligibility: High schoolers, undergraduates, graduates, and law students are eligible for experience-based internships
Located in the greater Boston area, Worcester County’s DA Office provides forensic psychology internships for undergraduates through exposure to criminal proceedings and legal assignments. You’ll work one-on-one with an Assistant District Attorney supporting their ongoing cases through hands-on assignments and receiving personalized mentorship. You’ll also attend arraignments, motion hearings, and trials, gaining first-hand knowledge of how forensic measures are applied to decide cases. You’ll also learn leadership skills and attend career development and educational presentations on the prosecution of drug, murder, arson, and other crimes.Â
Location: Northwestern District Attorney's Office, Northampton or Greenfield, MA
Cost: Free
Dates: Internships offered in the summer, fall, and spring | Timelines are negotiated between the Office and interns
Application Deadline: March 1 (Summer), August 1 (Fall), and December 1 (Spring)
Eligibility: Undergraduate and law school students | Applicants must pass a background check
Northwestern District Attorney’s Office offers forensic psychology internships for undergraduates in their Victim Witness Assistance Unit, Juvenile Justice Program, and Child Abuse Unit during three cohorts each year. In the Victim Witness Assistance Internship, you’ll advocate for victims and witnesses of crime and help guide them through the criminal prosecution process.Â
In the Juvenile Justice Internship, you’ll use your psychology skills to support at-risk youth alongside community partners addressing juvenile delinquency, collaborate with a Juvenile Diversion Specialist in court proceedings, or help develop crime prevention initiatives. In the Child Abuse Internship, you’ll compile evidence, data, and statistics on child abuse, support cases protecting children across the district, and learning from the Sexual Assault Intervention Network.
Location: Multiple locations statewide
Cost: Free
Dates: Program length and dates are coordinated between the Department and interns | Internships are offered in the summer, fall, and spring
Application Deadline: Openings are posted throughout the year; refer to the site or specific internship contact information for details
Eligibility: Undergraduate juniors and seniors studying Psychology, Criminal Justice, or Criminology | Applicants must attend schools where internships are accepted for academic credit
The Office of Mental Health Services in Florida’s Department of Corrections offers fall, spring, and summer forensic psychology internships for undergraduates in a hands-on setting. You’ll work with staff on reviews and documentation such as progress, management, and disciplinary reports. You’ll also assist with case management, analyze escapes, arrest histories, and other behavioral information for incarcerated individuals with mental health conditions. Through this internship, you’ll help ensure that Florida prisons meet state and federal requirements for providing mental health care, while also learning about career paths in forensic psychology from professional mentors.
Location: Multiple sites in Houston, TX
Cost: Free
Dates: Varies; minimum of 150 hours in the summer, fall, or winter
Application Deadline: May 1 (Summer), August 1 (Fall), or December 1 (Spring)
Eligibility: Current undergraduate and graduate students at least 21 years of age attending colleges that accept internships for academic credit | Background check requiredÂ
HCJPD offers forensic psychology internships for undergraduate students in Texas who want to support youth in the criminal justice system through community-based outreach and intervention. You’ll work alongside criminal justice professionals in one of six internship tracks, like Social Work and Criminal Justice are the most relevant for forensic psychology.
Your tasks may include designing service learning projects for youth, providing supervision and support for youth with mental health conditions, and helping children in the justice system prepare for school reentry and wraparound services. You’ll finish the internship by delivering a formal presentation to the Probation Department’s Executive Team, demonstrating what you’ve learned.
Location: DESPP Division of Scientific Services, Middletown, CT
Cost: Free
Dates: 3-4 months in summer, fall, or spring
Application Deadline: March 15 (Summer), July 1 (Fall), and November 1 (Spring)
Eligibility: Undergraduate students attending colleges that accept internships for academic credit
Connecticut’s DESPP offers forensic science internships through its Division of Scientific Services, giving you hands-on experience in state-level forensic investigations. You’ll work directly with professional forensic scientists in the Division’s laboratory and rotate through units such as the Computer Crime and Electronic Evidence Laboratory, Forensic Science Laboratory, and Controlled Substances Laboratory.
Your tasks may include assisting with case management and research, shadowing evidence evaluation, and contributing to forensic services across disciplines like DNA analysis, toxicology, firearms, and digital forensics. If you bring strong experience or technical skills, you may be offered more advanced responsibilities
Location: MN Department of Corrections, multiple locations including Shakopee and Stillwater
Cost: Free
Dates:
Application Deadline: Fall/Summer: February 15 (Priority) and March 15 (General) | Winter/Spring: November 1
Eligibility: Undergraduate and graduate students attending schools eligible to receive academic credit for internships | Some internships are only open to graduate students
Sponsored by Minnesota’s Mental Health, Sex Offender Treatment, and Substance Abuse Programs, the Behavioral Health Internships provide forensic psychology training in a correctional setting. These are challenging positions where you’ll work directly with incarcerated individuals with behavioral health concerns, gaining hands-on preparation for a career in forensic psychology. In the Substance Abuse Program track, you’ll work under the mentorship of a Lead Therapist to develop individualized treatment plans for clients, co-facilitate lectures on substance abuse and the criminal justice system, and shadow counselors in client sessions to build facilitation skills. You’ll also connect with therapists and case managers to understand broader career paths and approaches to working with incarcerated individuals with behavioral health conditions.
Location: Over 25 locations across Ohio
Cost: Free
Dates: Set between interns and the Department; offered throughout the year
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions | Students should apply at least six months before the planned start date
Eligibility: Undergraduate or graduate students at least 18 years of age | Behavioral Health internships seek out students pursuing degrees in social work or counseling; psychology majors may also be accepted | Background check required
Ohio’s Department of Rehabilitation and Correction offers a flexible, paid internship in Behavioral Health Operations where you can explore forensic psychology in a correctional setting. You’ll work directly with mental health professionals to support outpatient, day treatment, and residential services across multiple state institutions. You will assist with screening individuals for mental health symptoms, developing treatment plans, providing evidence-based group therapy, and documenting clinical encounters using SOAP notes. You may also participate in psychological testing and re-entry planning through referrals and skill-building sessions.
Location: San Francisco, CA
Cost: Free
Dates: Internships offered in summer, fall, and spring; Fall program dates are September 8 - December 5
Application Deadline: Varies; Fall deadline is July 11; Applications may close early due to rolling review
Eligibility: Undergraduate studentsÂ
The San Francisco DA’s Office offers internships for students interested in exploring forensic psychology through criminal justice work. You can be placed in units such as Vulnerable Victims, Juvenile, Sexual Assault, or Homicide. Under the supervision of an attorney or paralegal, you’ll explore career paths in the criminal justice system while supporting active investigations. Your work may include preparing case files for trials, communicating with witnesses, and managing case records before hearings.
One other option—the Lumiere Research Scholar Program
If you’re interested in pursuing independent research, consider applying to one of the Lumiere Research Scholar Programs, selective online high school programs for students founded with researchers at Harvard and Oxford. Last year, we had over 4,000 students apply for 500 spots in the program! You can find the application form here.
Also check out the Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation, a non-profit research program for talented, low-income students. Last year, we had 150 students on full need-based financial aid!
Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a Harvard College graduate. He founded Lumiere as a Ph.D. student at Harvard Business School. Lumiere is a selective research program in which students work one-on-one with a mentor to develop an independent research paper.
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