SCHOOL OF HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES
Crime, Psychology, and Public Policy (CRIMBC)
Contact Person:
Dr. Robert Speel
Penn State Erie, The Behrend College
4951 College Drive
Erie, PA 16563
Phone: 814-898-6206
E-mail:
rws15@psu.edu
The undergraduate certificate program in Crime, Psychology, and Public Policy (CRIMBC) at Behrend College 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.
Students who are not enrolled in a Penn State Degree program are eligible to receive the certificate through completion of the required coursework and credits. Courses taken to complete the certificate can also be used to complete a Penn State degree in majors such as Psychology, Political Science, and General Arts and Sciences if non-degree students decide to continue their education after completing certificate requirements. The certificate may also be of use to those who have already completed an undergraduate degree, but who wish to add a credential to their educational background that demonstrates knowledge in the five areas of focus in the program.
The CRIMBC certificate program maintains a listserv to announce upcoming courses and special events programming for students interested in criminal justice careers. To receive such announcements about the certificate program, you can subscribe to the listserv by clicking on the following link (no subject or message text is required): BD-Crime-subscribe-request@lists.psu.edu
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