About the TRC Internship
The TRC accepts approximately twenty five University of Arkansas student interns per semester to work on datasets related to the topics of domestic terrorism, hate crime, and human trafficking. Interns develop data management and analytical skills working on one or more databases. This internship is particularly beneficial for students interested in pursuing careers in research, intelligence analysis, and federal, state, or local law enforcement.
Students are asked to submit their application indicating their preferred project to facilitate initial project assignments, but will be considered for additional projects as the semester progresses if they are interested. To learn more about each project area, please see research. Students across majors are encouraged to apply.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the qualifications?
Strong candidates will possess all of the following:
- An interest in and willingness to learn about terrorism, bias crime and violent extremism, and other criminal justice topics
- Junior or senior status and a 3.0 GPA (exceptions will be considered)
- Ability to pass a basic background check (some data are considered sensitive)
- Basic computer skills (interns work on Mac or PC, and should have a basic knowledge of Microsoft Excel and Word)
- Prior experience with introductory social science and research methods preferred (exceptions will be considered)
What is the time commitment?
Internships are offered during the Fall and Spring semesters. The work load may vary weekly depending on project requirements. Hours are flexible, and there are opportunities for both remote and in-person work, but generally interns must be available for regularly scheduled weekly team meetings. Full requirements for the internship in the Sociology and Criminology program can be found here.
Is the internship paid?
This is an unpaid opportunity, but students earn course credit when completing the internship. To learn more about the course requirement and additional internships offered through the Department of Sociology and Criminology, visit the Department’s website.
Can I intern without enrolling in the internship course?
At this time, the TRC does not accept volunteer interns. All students interning must be enrolled in the 3-credit-hour internship course at the University of Arkansas. Please note that students can complete up to two internships for a total of six hours of academic credit. If you have already completed two internships, you are ineligible for the TRC internship. If you are a non-UA student interested in collaborating, please contact us directly by email at trc@uark.edu.
Can I submit an application for a different semester?
Students must submit an application each semester they would like to be considered for the internship. The application deadline for each semester generally coincides with the campus course enrollment period. Please check the TRC website for updates on application windows and dates.
What does the application process look like?
The application window is approximately 8 weeks long. Applications for the spring semester open in early fall, and applications for summer and fall internships open in early spring. The application is found on this page and applicants will not receive an email confirming their application submission, however all applications will be reviewed at once and students will be notified of their offer of internship roughly one to two weeks after the application window closes. Additional applications may be accepted after the regular application window if additional intern spots remain open.
What is it like to be an intern?
Check out the spotlights and learn about some of our intern’s experiences here!
The application period for the Spring 2025 semester is now closed. Check back next semester to apply for the Fall 2025 Internship!