Today@Sam Article
SHSU College of Criminal Justice Launches Student Internship Pathway
May 15, 2025
SHSU Media Contact: Campbell Atkins
By Kim Foster
Sam Houston State University College of Criminal Justice (COCJ) students have a unique opportunity to apply to a law enforcement academy and earn internship credit while completing their last semester of course work.
“We want to remove any education barriers for our students, troopers and all peace officers,” said David Stender, COCJ’s senior director of strategy and innovation. “The decision to create a law enforcement pathway was an easy choice given their reputation and values of integrity, excellence, accountability and teamwork associated with Texas peace officers.”
Stender developed the unique law enforcement pathway along with COCJ internship director Heather Alaniz and clinical assistant professor Jay Coons.
This opportunity allows participating students to train in a Texas Peace Officer Academy, which counts as their internship (three-to-12 credit hours), while completing the requirements for their bachelor’s degree.
“After successfully completing the academy, the student will graduate from SHSU as a commissioned Texas peace officer,” Coons said.
Bret Wilson, a senior participating in the inaugural COCJ student cohort, jumped at the chance to enhance his education through the new program.
“I was in the process of applying for the regular student internship with Texas DPS when the CJ internship director contacted me about this opportunity,” Wilson said. “Being able to start at the academy during my last semester works perfectly, I am eager to begin my law enforcement career and be a step ahead of my peers.”
Leading the pathway for the Texas DPS is Staff Sgt. Keith Fitzpatrick, a recruiter with the agency.
“Texas DPS is looking for applicants to work for one of the best police agencies in the state,” Fitzpatrick said. “I’ve visited the SHSU CJ building for recruiting at least two days a week over the past year and look forward to continuing my visits throughout 2025. This has been a great way to let students know about this career opportunity.”
Current COCJ students interested in applying are encouraged to visit the Texas DPS website and other Texas Peace Officer Academies. This opportunity is also open to COCJ online students in the Brownsville area taking courses at the Texas Southmost College campus.
The deadline to apply for the February 2026 class (A2026) runs through July 7, 2025 and the deadline for the April 2026 class (B2026) ends December 19, 2025.
- END -
This page maintained by SHSU's Communications Office:
Director of Content Communications: Emily Binetti
Asst. Director Content & Social Media: Emilee White
Communications Manager: Mikah Boyd
Telephone: 936.294.1837
Communications Specialist: Campbell Atkins
Telephone: 936.294.2638