At which campus can I study this program?
Program Description
The Crime, Law, and Psychology (CLP) minor is a multidisciplinary minor that offers a broad overview of the causes of crime, an understanding of the criminal justice system, and an awareness of how public policy influences criminal law. Classes will provide in-depth understanding of both sociological and psychological causes of criminal behavior, the psychological analysis of crime, the legal process, and policy-making. Students will have flexibility in choosing classes in three domains: Criminology, Psychology, and Political Science. This minor is designed for students with interest in learning about criminal behavior, the causes of criminal behavior, criminal investigation, and the legal system. PSYCH 100 is a prerequisite for all other PSYCH courses. PLSC 1 and PLSC 14 are prerequisites for some of the PLSC courses in the minor.
What is Crime, Law, and Psychology?
Intrigued by the criminal mind? The minor in Crime, Law, and Psychology explores sociological and psychological causes of criminal behavior. Interested in how the law works? The minor also allows you to study the legal process of adjudicating criminal cases and the political process that creates policies to prevent, control, and prosecute crime.
You Might Like This Program If...
- You are fascinated by the causes of criminal behavior and by the effect of crime on society.
- You want a solid understanding of how the criminal-justice system works, and how society treats those processed by the system.
- You envision yourself working in law enforcement, corrections, or social work.
Program Requirements
| Requirement | Credits |
|---|---|
| Requirements for the Minor | 18 |
Requirements for the Minor
For the Minor in Crime, Law, and Psychology a minimum of 18 credits is required.
A grade of C or better is required for all courses in the minor, as specified by Senate Policy 59-10. In addition, at least six credits of the minor must be unique from the prescribed courses required by a student's major(s).
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Prescribed Courses | ||
| Prescribed Courses: Require a grade of C or better | ||
| SOC/CRIM/CRIMJ 12 | Criminology  | 3 |
| Additional Courses | ||
| Additional Courses: Require a grade of C or better | ||
| Select 3 credits from the following: | 3 | |
| American Constitutional Law | ||
| The American Legal Process | ||
| American State and Urban Politics | ||
| International Law and Organizations | ||
| Select 3 credits from the following: | 3 | |
| Forensic Psychology | ||
| Behavior Modification | ||
| Child Psychopathology | ||
| Supporting Courses and Related Areas | ||
| Supporting Courses and Related Areas: Require a grade of C or better | ||
| Select one course in Criminal Justice, Criminology, and Sociology from approved department list | 3 | |
| Select one course in Psychology from approved department list | 3 | |
| Select one course in Political Science from approved department list | 3 | |
Academic Advising
The objectives of the university's academic advising program are to help advisees identify and achieve their academic goals, to promote their intellectual discovery, and to encourage students to take advantage of both in-and out-of class educational opportunities in order that they become self-directed learners and decision makers.
Both advisers and advisees share responsibility for making the advising relationship succeed. By encouraging their advisees to become engaged in their education, to meet their educational goals, and to develop the habit of learning, advisers assume a significant educational role. The advisee's unit of enrollment will provide each advisee with a primary academic adviser, the information needed to plan the chosen program of study, and referrals to other specialized resources.
READ SENATE POLICY 32-00: ADVISING POLICY
Erie
Melanie Hetzel-Riggin, Ph.D.
Director of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences and Professor of Psychology
170E Kochel Center
Erie, PA 16563
814-898-6949
mdh33@psu.edu
Career Paths
The minor in Crime, Law, and Psychology can be pursued by students in most Penn State Behrend degree programs. Penn State Behrend has a comprehensive support system to help you identify and achieve your goals for college and beyond. Meet with your academic adviser often and take advantage of the services offered by the Academic and Career Planning Center beginning in your first semester.
Careers
Within the Crime, Law, and Psychology minor, you’ll learn about criminal behavior, the reasons for crime, how crime is investigated, and the legal and correctional systems. This knowledge is particularly beneficial if you are considering a career in law enforcement, security, corrections, probations, social work, psychology, and government, or if you plan to attend law school.
Opportunities for Graduate Studies
A minor in the liberal arts, particularly when added to a major program outside of the liberal arts, demonstrates to graduate school admissions committees your commitment to interdisciplinary thinking. Law school is a common graduate-school choice for students who have pursued the Crime, Law, and Psychology minor.
Contact
Erie
SCHOOL OF HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES
170 Irvin Kochel Center
4951 College Drive
Erie PA 16563
814-898-6108
HSSOffice@psu.edu
https://behrend.psu.edu/school-of-humanities-social-sciences