Rowan partners with Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office for internship program

The Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office and Rowan University are teaming up to provide students in the University’s Law & Justice Studies program with a firsthand look at the inner workings of the law and justice system through internships in the prosecutor’s office.

Through a Memorandum of Understanding signed recently, Rowan will work with the prosecutor’s office to set forth a more standardized application process for students interested in landing internships in Burlington County. That includes the development of a standardized application form, completed background checks and drug screenings and other requirements.

“Currently, we place interns with a few Burlington County Police Departments, but this Memorandum of Agreement formalizes our partnership with the prosecutor’s office and will place more interns with more agencies in Burlington County,” said Law & Justice Studies Professor Jeffrey Schwartz.

According to Schwartz, altogether, Rowan Law & Justice Studies majors are placed in 200 internships annually. Students from the 3+1 program at Rowan College of Burlington County will especially benefit from this agreement.

“We are excited to be a part of this internship agreement to extend the 3+1 program with the Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office. This agreement really shows the significance of the partnership between Rowan University and RCBC and how committed we are collectively to not just the development of the students, but to be a part of the communities students live in and are going to be working in when they are finished,” said Rowan Provost James A. Newell.

Students will also gain hands-on experience within other law enforcement agencies throughout the county. According to Burlington County Prosecutor Scott A. Coffina, the internship opportunity has been shared with chiefs from throughout the county, who are very excited to be able to work with Rowan students.

“This experience will enhance students’ academic experience with practical experience,” said Coffina. “I am looking forward to the students stepping up and taking responsibility for their work. But we are taking on the responsibility to give them a real substantive opportunity to experience what it’s like to work in a law enforcement agency and to get their feet wet and hopefully make law enforcement their career.”

Since entering into its first MOA with the Gloucester County Prosecutor’s Office two years ago, Rowan has signed formal agreements with the Federal Air Marshalls and New Jersey Courts. In addition, the university has several informal internship agreements that place interns with law enforcement agencies throughout the region.