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Sociology

Capstone & Internship Information for Sociology and Criminology & Justice Studies

A capstone seminar are classes you take towards the end of your degree. They invite you to demonstrate your knowledge about your major. You have a choice for what kind of capstone you can take. Scroll to the bottom of this page for orientation videos and additional resources. 

Sociology Majors 

SOC 480- Capstone Seminar in Sociological Scholarship **OR** SOC 495- Capstone Seminar in Community Service 

Criminology & Justice Studies Majors

SOC 442 - Analysis of the Justice System and Criminal Law **OR** SOC 494- Internship in Criminology and Justice Studies 

 FOR CRIMINOLOGY AND JUSTICE MAJORS: Please note that CJS majors declared 2024 and earlier had to take both Soc 442 and Soc 494 as their capstone seminars. We are now offering a choice, similar to what Sociology majors have always had. Important: If you are a CJS major under the old requirement and need to opt out of taking your internship capstone, email Dr. Clark-Ibáñez (mibanez@csusm.edu) with your CSUSM Student ID so she can help you.  

 How do you decide on which capstone to take for your major?  

Each major has two styles of capstones. Although both invite you to engage in reading and writing, they each have their own approach and time commitment.  

  • Focus on Research & Policy: Soc 442 and Soc 480 are scholarly capstones that are based in reading, writing, thinking, and presentations about research and policy. There are no service learning or internships offered with these classes.  
  • Doing an Internship: Soc 494 and Soc 495 are internship capstones that require you to find an internship before or by the time your class starts. You will meet in class to discuss reading, writing, and present about research, but you will also be introduced to career readiness material, and you will be gaining real-world experiences that hopefully align with your career goals. Internships require extra hours outside of class – minimum 100 hours.  

If you want to take SOC 442 or SOC 480, directly enroll and take the class.  

If you want to take SOC 494 or SOC 495, there are a few more important steps to secure an internship, which is going to be much like applying for a job. See below!  

Common Misunderstandings:  

  • Soc 442 and Soc 480 are for students interested in graduate school.  
    • All of the capstones help prepare you for graduate school in the form of exemplar paper produced at the end, and developing advanced skills in writing, reading, and critical thinking.  
    • Your other upper division elective classes will help prepare you for graduate school.  
    • Look out for the department and CSUSM Career Center events related to graduate school.  
    • Contact your faculty advisor for help!  
  • Soc 494 and Soc 495 are the only ways to prepare for post-college careers.  
    • Internships are important, but our department and campus offer many resources for your career development.  
    • Starting Fall 2025, new SOC and CJS majors are required to take Soc 491, a 1-unit career readiness class. 
    • Our department offers workshops and activities to help all majors think about professional careers after their undergraduate careers.  
    • The CSUSM Career Center offers additional internship opportunities, such as micro internships and a non-academic-credit internship class.  

CJS MAJOR 2024 OR OLDER?  

If you are a CJS major under the old major (2024 or older) and want to opt out of taking the Soc 494 internship capstone course, contact Dr. Marisol Clark-Ibáñez for help (mibanez@csusm.edu).  

WHO TO CONTACT FOR HELP  

Department of Sociology, Criminology & Justice Studies 

Capstone and Internship Coordinator: Dr. Marisol Clark-Ibáñez  

  • Remember to use your CSUSM full name and CSUSM Student ID when communicating 

 CSUSM – Career Center 

Academic Internships: internships@csusm.edu 

BASIC INFORMATION FOR SOC 494 & SOC 495  

1. Enroll in your internship class asap. 

a. You don't need an internship to enroll in the class. However, you can start early looking for your internship.  

b. Soc 495 is for Sociology majors.  

c. Soc 494 is for CJS majors. (CJS majors can also enroll in Soc 495 if Soc 494 sections fill up.) 

2. Your goal is to have an internship placement by the start of Fall semester. 

3. YOU find your internship.  

a. Prepare material like a resume and be sure to make an appointment with the Career Center to help you. 

b. Search and identify internship through the CSUSM Internship Database: https://app.calstates4.com/csusm. 

c. Recommended that you create a document such as a spreadsheet to keep organized. You are likely needing to apply for more than one internship to be sure that you have an internship by Fall.  

SECURING AN ACADEMIC INTERNSHIP FOR SOC 494 OR 495 

TIMING: You need to be in or about to start an internship as Soc 494 and Soc 495 start. You need to find your own internship before the semester begins. Start months in advance! Law enforcement, court, and some school placements often take a year or more to complete background checks.  

WHO FINDS THE INTERNSHIP? You find your internship. You are the best person to know your schedule, goals, and setting preferences. Your faculty internship coordinator (Dr. Marisol Clark-Ibáñez) is here to help you brainstorm and explore, as are the staff from the CSUSM Internship Office. See the steps below to help you be successful in your search. 

CAN I INTERN ANYWHERE? No. You need to find an internship within the CSUSM Internship Database. (See below for more information.) The campus creates important agreements to keep you safe during your internship experience, so we need to follow their regulations. If you have an internship site not on the list, begin the process to get them registered with the CSUSM Internship Office.  

CAN I INTERN ONLINE? Yes. You can search for internships by selecting “remote” as a search option. (See below for more information.) 

CAN I INTERN AT CSUSM? Yes. There are numerous internships at CSUSM and even in this department. You can filter your search to find them. (See below for more information.) 

STEP BY STEP GUIDE TO FIND AN INTERNSHIP 

  1. Log in to the CSUSM Internship Database with your CSUSM credentials.  

2. Click on the tab called “sites” (not “opportunities”) and begin searching for opportunities. 

    • If you are already enrolled in your internship class, your professor may have identified several sites for you to consider.

3. Apply for as many internships as you can and are interested in

    • Be ready to submit a resume and cover letter  

4. Keep track of your internship applications and contact information.  

    • It is recommended that you create a spreadsheet for yourself so that you can follow up with internship site coordinators.  

5. Keep applying until you secure a placement.  

    • Be open-minded. You may not get an internship in your exact field but remember that you will be in a network of professionals and will be gaining great experience that will help you get closer to your career and graduate school goals.  

6. Your internship professor likely won’t be able to help you until the semester has begun, so reach out to Dr. Marisol Clark-Ibáñez (mibanez@csusm.edu) or internships@csusm.edu to help you until class begins.  

 VIDEO OVERVIEWS 

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES