Frequently Asked Questions

Yes.  You can receive either 3 internship credits or 3 independent study credits (you and your advisor should decide which option will be most useful for your major)

Yes.

Our application is open on February 15 and October 1 of each academic year.  You will know whether or not you’ve been accepted into the program before you register for summer, fall or spring semester classes.

You must be an enrolled WMU student for the semester in which you are applying, hold a GPA of at least 3.0, have earned at least 26 college credit hours by the semester in which you are applying, and you cannot have any other classes or work scheduled on Monday or Wednesday from 10 am to 6 pm in the semester in which you are applying.  You must also submit to a background check from the state police.

Unfortunately, we have no method in place to allow non-WMU students to participate in this program at this time.

No.  The students can only research their assigned case file inside the Cold Case Program space on campus and on an encrypted computer network.  Due to this there is no way to work remotely or virtually on these case files.

Of course!  Please email us: SOC_CCP@wmich.edu

No problem. The CCP accepts students from any major and any college on campus; students with different training provide different perspectives needed to examine case files. We are more concerned with whether or not you meet the program requirements.

Do well in your courses because you’ll need a 3.0 GPA and a faculty member’s recommendation.  Get involved with relevant groups on campus, too! The Criminal Justice Student Association is a great way to learn more about the field and profession.  There are also many other organizations and volunteer opportunities that will help build your resume before you apply:  https://experiencewmu.wmich.edu/events.

Here is a brief list of must haves:  

1. One desktop and one scanner for each student.  The scanner must have the ability to utilize Adobe Creative Cloud (like this:  Fujitsu ScanSnap iX1500 Color Duplex Document Scanner with Touch Screen)
2. Encrypted share drive for data management
3. Physical space for a secure file room
4. Physical space for confidential meetings between detectives and program participants

Probably the best way to ensure that the file material is protected is to develop a Memo of Understanding (MOU) between your university/college and the police department you’ll be working with.  This document can outline the roles of each, paying particular attention to the management of confidential files and confidential educational records.  The one we developed specifies that the Cold Case Program reviews and analyzes cold case files provided by the Michigan State Police (MSP) and will work to assist the detectives in whatever capacity they determine (based on the case). The only material that students will access outside of the encrypted computer system would be public access material (census bureau records, death records, military records, or old news articles on people of on people of interest or similar cases of interest, etc).

MSP has sole and final authority to select which files or cases should be examined by the program and my university has the sole and final authority to select which students are accepted into the program.  

My university has also developed many policies to ensure the safety of sensitive information, both technologically and logistically. Students accepted into the program sign a Confidentiality Agreement that classifies student participants as “volunteers” in the program.  Specifically, it ensures that the students understand they cannot disclose to anyone outside of the program any information whatsoever to anyone who is not a part of the program.  Drop me an email if your university does not have such an agreement in house.

We have worked with dozens of states and there are typically three different models other schools have used; a class model, an internship opportunity, and independent study credits for students.  

The most common model so far is to offer this up as an internship opportunity (typically 3 credits for each semester); students can then be required to “clock” in approximately 10 hours a week working on the case that they have been assigned. This makes it easiest in scheduling regular meetings detectives and the students, too.