Crime, Psychology, and Public Policy, Certificate

Program Code: CRMPPP_UCT

Program Description

The 15 credit undergraduate certificate program in Crime, Psychology, and Public Policy (CRMPPP) provides students an overview of the causes of crime and criminal behavior, the legal and criminal justice processes, and public policy toward crime-related issues. Students receive an in-depth understanding of the social and psychological causes of crime, policies to fight and prevent crime, the use of psychology to analyze and investigate criminal behavior, and the legal processes that involve accused and convicted criminals. The certificate program is intended for those who are interested in learning more about the criminal justice system and the causes of crime. Knowledge of the causes of criminal behavior and the criminal justice system are important to careers in the police, security, the correctional system, social work, law, psychology, journalism, and government or politics.

What is Crime, Psychology, and Public Policy?

Crime, Psychology, and Public Policy is a certificate program that provides an overview of the causes of criminal behavior through both a sociological and psychological lens. It also highlights the relationship between public policy and the laws society creates to protect its citizens. The certificate is designed for those interested in learning more about how the criminal justice system uses a multidisciplinary approach to aid in the understanding of crime and justice.

You Might Like This Program If...

  • You want to understand the causes of criminal behavior.
  • You want an overview of the criminal justice system.
  • You are intrigued by the relationship between public policy and criminal law.

Program Requirements

To earn an undergraduate certificate in Crime, Psychology, and Public Policy, a minimum of 15 credits is required.

Students should select 3 credits in each of the following subject areas:

Prescribed Courses
Criminology
SOCĀ 12Criminology Keystone/General Education Course3
Crime and the Individual
Select 3 credits from the Crime and the Individual area from approved department list3
Crime and Society
Select 3 credits from the Crime and Society area from approved department list3
Crime and Public Policy
Select 3 credits from the Crime and Public Policy area from approved department list3
Crime and Law
Select 3 credits from the Crime and Law area from approved department list3

Certificate Learning Objectives

  • Data analysis: Analyze quantitative social scientific data, shown in tables and graphs.
  • Policy: Compare and contrast crime-related policies.
  • Theory: Use theories to explain criminal behaviors.

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

Molly Monahan Lang, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Sociology
116 Turnbull
Erie, PA 16563
814-898-6290
mbm106@psu.edu

Schuylkill

Academic Advising Office
Academic Affairs

200 University Drive
Schuylkill Haven, PA 17972
570-385-6111
sl-advising@psu.edu

Career Paths

The certificate in Crime, Psychology, and Public Policy 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

The Crime, Psychology, and Public Policy certificate offers you the opportunity to think deeply about criminal behavior, the reasons for crime, and the criminal-justice system. This knowledge is important if you are considering a career in government, law enforcement, corrections, social work, psychology, counseling, journalism, or public policy.

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT POTENTIAL CAREER OPTIONS FOR GRADUATES WITH A CERTIFICATE IN CRIME, PSYCHOLOGY, AND PUBLIC POLICY

Opportunities for Graduate Studies

A certificate 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 certificate in Crime, Psychology, and Public Policy.

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT OPPORTUNITIES FOR GRADUATE STUDIES

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

Schuylkill

ACADEMIC AFFAIRS, SOCIAL SCIENCES
200 University Drive
Schuylkill Haven, PA 17972
570-385-6075
rap179@psu.edu