A vital part of the program of study is the connnection between the academic study of digital forensics with the work-a-day realities of doing digital forensics. The fieldwork experience is seen as a capstone of the academic program and, thus, is most productively taken as the last part of the program of study. It provides the opportunity to work for an investigative office that uses digital forensics on criminal or civil cases. The program has cultivated internship opportunities with numerous county prosecutor offices, federal agencies and corporations. Such opportunites have led to employment with the agency.
Fieldwork versus Thesis? Either fieldwork or a thesis is a degree requirement with fieldwork standing as the default option. Fieldwork at a criminal justice agency is seen as especially valuable for students who have no experience working in that milieu. However, students who already have gained significant agency or corporate experience or for whom professional obligations preclude doing an internship will typically do a thesis instead of fieldwork. An exception would be when an experienced student is expressly interested in exploring work in a law enforcement milieu. Students may also opt to do both fieldwork and a thesis.
Qualification for FCM Internships. Normally, students may only enroll in FCM 780, Forensic Computing Capstone Seminar and Fieldwork, after they have passed the qualifying examination. While not a formal requirement students are likely to have a more productive experience if they also have taken FCM 753, Digital Forensic Applications, before they do their fieldwork.
Finding a Fieldwork Opportunity. The FCM program has developed a good working relationship with various agencies and firms. Consult with the co-director who handles fieldwork placements at least one semester before you anticipate doing your fieldwork. You are also free to locate your own placement; however, it must be approved by the co-directors.
John Jay CRJ Internships. Be aware that the Office of Graduate Studies through the Graduate Career Office also runs an internship program. FCM students are free to take advantage of the internships offered through that office; however, that program is separate from the FCM internships which are exclusively for FCM graduate students.
Background Investigations. FCM internships with law enforcement agencies typically require a background investigation. To accomplish that they need differing amounts of lead time. This means that applications for the U.S. Secret Service which does a complete background check, for example, must be submitted at least six months before the internship will begin for they do a full background check of applicants. Internships with U.S. Dept of Health and Human Services require several months lead time.
Fieldwork for International Students. Internships with U.S. federal agencies are normally limited to U.S. citizens. Eligibility for fieldwork with state and local criminal justice agencies varies by agency policy. However, we have been successful in placing FCM students on student visas with state criminal justice agencies.
Approval of FCM Internships. Internships to fulfill degree requirements must be approved by the program co-directors. You are free to seek and arrange your own internship with a public agency or private firm but in order to assure it will count toward your degree requirements the arrangement must be approved by the co-directors before you begin the fieldwork.
Registration for Fieldwork. Registration for fieldwork is for FCM 780, Forensic Computing Capstone Seminar and Fieldwork and is handled through the FCM co-directors as an independent study. Thus, you cannot register online but must have an independent study form signed by the co-director supervising FCM fieldwork and the Dean of Graduate Studies. Forms are available from the Office of Graduate Studies. You may register only after satisfactory arrangements have been arranged; however, registration may occur by the end of the second week of classes of the semester in which you do the fieldwork.
Summer Fieldwork. Fieldwork is normally done during the regular semester but may also be done over the summer with permission and special arrangements by the FCM co-director supervising internships.
Extended Fieldwork. Some students find they are unable to complete the 200 required hours within one semester. This may entail continuing the fieldwork through the summer or lapsing into the next semester. In such situations arrangements must be made between the supervising FCM co-director and the on-site fieldwork supervisor to facilitate completion of the fieldwork hours.
Use of Current Employment for FCM Fieldwork Requirement. FCM students who are employed in a position in which they do digital forensics as part of their job may wish to use that experience to count as their FCM fieldwork for degree requirements. However, be forewarned it can prove awkward to fashion an arrangement that will blend the academic goals of fieldwork and the interests of your employer. The most promising solution may be to use a co-operative education model rather than the traditional internship model. If this situation fits you, please see the co-directors to discuss the options.
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