This interdisciplinary minor allows students to focus on the classes that are most relevant to the field of psychology and law.  The constellation of classes will deepen and complement their chosen professional practice with justice-involved persons or their wider professional careers in the fields of cybersecurity, mental health, social work, forensic science, law, and others. The minor provides foundational knowledge for professional practice and advanced graduate or professional degrees where the fields of psychology and criminal justice intersect. 

CURRICULUM

The minor requires the completion of 18 credit hours.  One class may be double dip and count toward a major or another interdisciplinary minor.

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
PSYC 372	Psychology & Law	3
or CJC 377	Psychology and Law
CJC 345	Social Justice and Crime	3
or CJC 346	Mental Illness and Crime
Additional Requirements		12
Additional requirements are determined by majors.
Psychology Majors
CJC 101	Criminal Justice in a Global Context
Electives (Choose 3 from the approved list below) 1
Criminal Justice & Criminology Majors
PSYC 101	General Psychology
Electives (Choose 3 from the approved list below) 2
All Other Majors
CJC 101	Criminal Justice in a Global Context
PSYC 101	General Psychology
Electives (Choose 2 from the approved list below)
Total Hours		18

¹

Psychology Majors must select two CJC electives and one PSYC elective.  It is recommended that if PSCJ 399 is taken as an elective, it should substitute for the PSYC elective.

²

CJC Majors must select two PSYC electives and one CJC elective.  It is recommended that if PSCJ 399 is taken as an elective, it should substitute for the CJC elective.

Internship

We strongly recommend that psychology and criminal justice and criminology majors completing the minor do an internship, field work or research project focused on the psychology of crime and justice by participating in one of the capstone experiences which include a practicum experience:

• CJC 390 Capstone Experience Internship
• PSYC 390 Internship in Psychology (prerequisites: PSYC 304 Statistics and PSYC 306 Research Methods in Psychology)

These courses will count toward the psychology or criminal justice and criminology major, but not the minor in the psychology of crime and justice.

Students may obtain credit for engaged learning and participate in Psychology and Law research through PSCJ 399 Independent Study , which counts as an approved elective in the minor.

Approved Electives for all PSCJ Minors

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
PSYC 275	Social Psychology	3
PSYC 331	Psychopathology	3
PSYC 338	Psychology of Personality	3
PSYC 346	Psychopathology of Childhood	3
PSYC 375	Psychology of Addiction	3
PSYC 348	Psychology of Adolescence	3
PSYC 360	Understanding Prejudice	3
CJC 201	Theories of Criminal Behavior	3
CJC 202	Criminal Courts	3
CJC 204	Corrections	3
CJC 302	Juvenile Justice System	3
CJC 322	Criminal Law	3
CJC 345	Social Justice and Crime	3
CJC 346	Mental Illness and Crime	3
CJC 360	Substance Use and Crime	3
CJC 371	Victimology	3
CJC 372	Race, Ethnicity, and Criminal Justice	3
CJC 373	Intimate Partner Violence	3
CJC 374	Miscarriages of Justice	3
CJC 376	Childhood Exposure to Violence	3
PSCJ 399	Independent Study	3

Double Dipping Rule 

Three (3) courses can count toward credit for another minor or major; thus, three (3) unique classes are required.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the minor in the Psychology of Crime and Justice, students will:

• exhibit foundational knowledge in the field of psychology and law;
• recognize how empirically-based research has improved the legal system, and has future applications to improve the legal system;
• understand how professionals in the legal system and treatment fields interact, assist, and hinder persons who belong to marginalized and vulnerable groups;
• appreciate the possible graduate school options and career pathways at the intersection of the psychology and law field.