Training tomorrow’s investigators

Oakland University’s Criminal Justice program is partnering with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), creating a new opportunity for students to take their academic experience into the federal investigative setting. The partnership, developed by Kimberly Byrd, Director of Field & Student Support for the Criminal Justice Program, will welcome its first cohort in Spring 2027.

Candidate interviews started in September 2026. Students selected for the program will have the opportunity to gain exposure to HSI in areas including drug, financial crimes, weapons, cybersecurity, and administration, with potential exposure to court proceedings.

The partnership between OU’s Criminal Justice program and Homeland Security Investigations was developed by Kimberly Byrd, Director of Field & Student Support for the Criminal Justice Program, and will welcome its first cohort in Spring 2027.

“It’s really great to be involved in an undergraduate criminal justice major doing work at the federal level,” Byrd said.

Beyond gaining professional experience, students will have the opportunity to build connections with professionals in the field. Byrd said these relationships could benefit students throughout their careers.

“While they're doing the federal internship, students can network with people in their career interest areas, so when they graduate, they've got connections,” Byrd said.

Preparation for the opportunity begins before students enter the placement process. Byrd encourages students to use the resources of Oakland University’s Career and Life Design Center to prepare resumes, cover letters, and behavioral-style interview responses, while also considering how their social media presence reflects them professionally.

“There are tight deadlines to apply for my class, and when you apply for my class, it means you’re also applying for the placement process,” Byrd said. “ It’s a three-month placement process, and the deadlines for each semester are on our website.”

For Byrd, the partnership is ultimately about giving students an avenue to see what they can accomplish beyond the classroom. 

“I want our students to do the best, and I want them to be looked at as the best, perform the best, and both the students and placement to find that they’ve done great things during their time,” Byrd said.