Student Internship Programs

Nathans Investigations offers year-round student internship programs designed to accommodate students at various academic levels. Whether you’re pursuing an undergraduate degree, a Master’s degree, an MBA, or a PhD, our internships are open to currently enrolled undergraduate and graduate students. Selected interns can engage in authentic investigative work, utilizing state-of-the-art equipment and cutting-edge technology in a dynamic metropolitan setting. These Student Internship Programs offer a diverse and distinctive experience that serves as a solid foundation for future careers in the field of criminal justice. During their enrollment in our Student Internship Programs, interns may be assigned to various specialized units, each focusing on distinct aspects of private investigation:

Specialized Units for Interns in Private Investigation Programs

• Background Investigations Unit: A division dedicated to conducting comprehensive background checks on individuals, often for employment, security clearance, or legal purposes.
• Field Operations Unit: This unit deals with investigative work carried out in the field, including surveillance, evidence collection, and site visits.
• Specialized Operations Unit: A division that handles investigations requiring unique skills or expertise, such as undercover operations, financial fraud, or analysis.
• Missing Persons Unit: A specialized team tasked with locating and recovering missing individuals, whether due to abduction, foul play, or voluntary disappearance.
• Public Interest Unit: This division investigates matters of public concern, such as consumer fraud, environmental violations, or civil rights abuses.
• Cold Case Unit: This unit reopens and reevaluates unsolved cases from the past, using modern investigative techniques and technology to solve long-standing mysteries potentially.

Nathans Investigations’ Student Internship Programs are unpaid; however, participating students may be able to earn college credits through their respective educational institutions. To be eligible for these internships, undergraduate applicants must be in their junior or senior year at a fully accredited college or university. Graduated students are not eligible for participation.

Our internship programs have a duration of 16 weeks during the fall and spring terms and 12 weeks throughout the summer. Interns are expected to collaborate with assigned investigators from Monday through Friday, dedicating approximately eight hours each day and a total of 40 hours per week. Daily schedules may vary, encompassing day, afternoon, or evening shifts. Depending on the assigned unit or program of study, selected weekend days may also be required.

Eligibility Requirements for The Student Internship Programs

To be eligible for The Student Internship Program, applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Age Requirement: Applicants must be at least 18 years of age.
• Motivation: Candidates should demonstrate a high level of motivation and a strong desire to gain insights into the field of private investigation.
• Academic Standing: Undergraduate students must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 in their major and a minimum overall GPA of 2.7. Graduate or post-doctoral students are also eligible.
• Enrollment: Applicants must be full-time students at a college or university, whether they are freshmen, sophomores, juniors, seniors, graduates, or post-doctoral students. Those who graduate before the program start date are not eligible.
• Academic Performance: To be eligible, candidates must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher at the time of application and throughout the internship program.
• Alternate Criteria: First-semester freshmen or students from schools that do not provide GPAs must meet alternate criteria. Instead of a 3.0 GPA or higher, they should have maintained at least a 3.0 high school GPA and achieved a score of 1500 out of 2400 on the SAT (1000 out of 1600 on the new SATs) or a score of 21 or higher on the ACT.

Application Requirements

In addition to the Internship Application, applicants should submit the following:

• A Cover Letter explaining their choice to apply for a specific internship position and their qualifications for the program.
• Current college transcripts.
• Copies of their driver’s license and student identification card.
• A criminal background check from their place of residence (obtained from the local police station or sheriff’s office).
• A letter of recommendation from their school’s internship coordinator or faculty advisor.

Candidate Skills

Applicants for our programs may have diverse academic backgrounds, but the most competitive candidates typically exhibit the following skills:

• Strong analytical thinking abilities: The capacity to analyze information critically and solve complex problems effectively.
• Flexibility and adaptability: The capability to adjust to changing circumstances and handle new challenges.
• Initiative and self-motivation: The drive to take proactive action and work independently.
• Collaboration: Working effectively and harmoniously with others in a team environment.
• Good judgment and decision-making skills: The aptitude for making sound and well-informed decisions.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills: Proficiency in conveying ideas and information clearly and effectively through writing and speaking.
• Strong interpersonal skills: Building positive and productive relationships with colleagues and stakeholders.