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Whatcom Community College proposes 800-hour externship for new criminology bachelor program
Summary
Dr. Michael McHenry of Whatcom Community College outlined a proposal for a Bachelor of Applied Science in Criminology that would require an 800-hour externship split across law enforcement, courts, corrections and community partners; committee members signaled interest and offered to explore coordination and placements.
Dr. Michael McHenry, program coordinator for the criminal justice program at Whatcom Community College, proposed a Bachelor of Applied Science in Criminology that would include a required 800-hour externship to give undergraduates immersive experience across the criminal legal system.
McHenry told the Whatcom County Legal and Justice Systems Committee on Feb. 11 that he designed the degree to move away from a traditional law-enforcement focus and toward broader exposure to courts, corrections and community-based partners. "Why don't we have the same thing for criminal justice professionals going through their undergraduate program?" he asked, arguing that longer practicum hours would better prepare students for decision-making in the field.
The program would require students to complete 200 contact hours each with law enforcement, courts, corrections and community organizations. McHenry said he has surveyed industry professionals across Whatcom, Island and Skagit counties and received more than 50 responses supporting deeper experiential learning; he described partnerships already in development with the county response division, DV SAS and community corrections.
Committee members and attendees offered practical next steps during the meeting. Wendy Jones, who joined the committee and was identified as an experienced corrections professional with decades of service in Whatcom County, and a field administrator with the Department of Corrections both indicated possible internship placements that could host students. Committee member Steven suggested presenting the proposal at a joint committee meeting to coordinate internship hours across task-force groups. McHenry said he will share contact information and meet individually with interested agencies to shape externship placements.
The presentation was framed as a request for partnership and coordination rather than a formal county action; no vote or formal direction to procure services or funding was recorded. McHenry said the externship is intended as a program graduation requirement rather than an optional placement, and he invited agencies to be flexible in shaping practicums to meet operational needs.
Committee members suggested additional uses for student support beyond practicums, including compiling data for task-force reports. McHenry said he would meet with agencies and that his contact information would be circulated after the meeting.
A forward-looking joint meeting with the Behavioral Health Committee was discussed later in the agenda; several members noted overlap between McHenry’s proposal and behavioral health work, and suggested inviting McHenry to present to the joint group.
