Editor's note: This is the third in our continuing series of highlighting CSU's new integrated degrees program.

Cleveland State University recently became the first institution of higher education in Northeast Ohio to offer 11 new interdisciplinary degrees designed to empower undergraduate students with the skills, versatility and adaptability they need to work at the intersection of multiple disciplines or fields. They are each a purposefully designed blend of curriculum for students whose paths require expertise in several disciplines. 

The university’s combined majors developed not only from faculty members’ proposals, but also from collaboration with local employers, who weighed in on which of the proposed programs might meet the area’s workforce needs.

“As a regional public, as an institution that seeks to serve this community, we said, what do our employers need?” said CSU Provost Nigamanth Sridhar, who is spearheading the initiative.

Today, we are highlighting the Psychology and Criminology Bachelor of Science degree.

“This degree program addresses an area where students have already demonstrated a significant interest. As of Fall 2023, CSU had a total of 106 students who declared a dual-major or major/minor combination that included psychology + criminology,” said Chair and Associate Professor of the Department of Psychology, Eric Allard, Ph.D. 

“By creating this program, we can more efficiently deliver core curricula within these two disciplines that better prepares students for either a.) further specialized educational training at the interface of psychology and the law (i.e., law school, graduate school, etc.) and/or b.) a direct path to careers where combined training in psychology and criminology is highly desirable (i.e., law enforcement, corrections, victim advocacy, etc.).”

The Psychology and Criminology Bachelor of Science degree integrates an understanding of the causes, consequences and prevention of crime, and law and psychology by providing students with a comprehensive education in these fields. Students can apply real principles of research and statistical analysis to the psychological sciences and criminal justice. 

Within the degree program, students will have the opportunity to obtain hands-on training experiences via internship and fieldwork placements, along with research projects, for enhancing knowledge and practical applications within the intersection of the criminal justice system, human behavior, and criminal dynamics.

“The degree is designed to combine the study of criminal justice systems with a comprehensive understanding of human behavior, mental processes, and the factors that contribute to criminal behavior,” said Allard. “It also includes classes that encompass both criminology and psychology that align at this interface, including introductory courses in both disciplines, as well as specialized courses from each (i.e., within psychology: social psychology, abnormal psychology, cognitive psychology; within criminology: law and society, policing, corrections, among others).”

CAREER OUTLOOK

A variety of career paths await upon graduation and latest trends suggest a large need in the workforce for enhanced training in mental health, cognition, emotional regulation and social factors that are connected with crime, criminal justice and related areas.

What’s more, CSU connects students to internship and career opportunities within the broader Cleveland community including the CSU police department, local community organizations and more. The opportunity also exists to with faculty on research projects and participate in the FBI Cleveland Student Academy, a student organization that provides insight into the inner workings of the FBI.

With all that on the table, Allard said popularity is rising in the program.

“There is substantial student interest for an integrated Psychology + Criminology degree based on the number of students who either double major in psychology and criminology, or major in one and minor in the other,” he said. “We also have data suggesting that of all of the integrated degrees being rolled out across CSU starting in Fall 2025, Psychology + Criminology has the highest number of students planning to enroll, thus far.”

Allard was also quick to point out that the program was made possible due to plenty of support.

“The faculty who worked diligently to create this innovative educational opportunity to our students deserve a special mention,” he said. “Drs. Goncy, Nordlund, Hubbard, and Chriss were fantastic partners, and their fastidious and thoughtful planning were essential.”

For more information on CSU’s new integrated degree programs, click here. 

For more information on the Psychology and Criminology B.A, click here.