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Sociology & Criminology: Forensic Behavioral Studies

The Forensic Behavioral Studies concentration is recommended for students interested in forensics, law enforcement and criminal justice. The concentration consists of 18-19 credit hours. Internships are required of seniors during their spring semester, and students will be assisted in being matched to an internship site based on their career interests.

Requirements and Internships

Students needing an internship should notify the department in September of their senior year. Participation in an internship requires a 2.75 GPA. An additional 300/400 level course can be used by permission of the Chair, if unable to complete an internship.

The Concentration consist of five required courses:

  • SC 220 Criminal Justice Systems (3 cr.)
  • SC 223 Overview of Crime Scene Analysis (3 cr.)
  • SC 240 Criminology (3 cr.)
  • SC 388 Forensic Science in Criminal Justice (3 cr.)
  • SC 495 Internship in Forensics (4 cr.)

Plus one of the following courses:

  • SC 255 Prejudice and Discrimination (3 cr.)
  • SC 257 Social Inequalities in Society (3 cr.)
  • SC 320 Sex and Gender (3 cr.)
Three students sitting on stairs.

Internships

Our students have completed internships in over 80 nonprofit and governmental agencies throughout the Cleveland metropolitan area. Internships are available to seniors in their spring semester, and students are matched to an internship site based upon their career interests. It is not uncommon for our students to be offered employment by the agency where they interned.

Sites include:

  • Achievement Center for Children
  • AIDS Task Force of Greater Cleveland
  • Alzheimer’s Association – Cleveland
  • American Red Cross
  • Arrupe House
  • Big Brothers, Big Sisters of Greater Cleveland
  • Business Volunteers Unlimited
  • Care Alliance Health Center
  • Catholic Charities
  • Center for Reducing Health Disparities
  • Children’s Rehabilitation Hospitals of the Cleveland Clinic
  • Cleveland International Program
  • Free Medical Clinic of Greater Cleveland
  • The Gathering Place
  • Legal Aid Society
  • Light of Hearts Villa
  • Make a Wish Foundation
  • New Avenues to Independence
  • Northeast Ohio Coalition for the Homeless
  • Organize Ohio!
  • Recovery Resources
  • Salvation Army
  • Senior Citizen’s Resources
  • Shaker Heights Youth Center
  • United Way
  • University Hospitals of Cleveland
  • University Settlement House
  • Witness Victim Service Center
Female faculty member advising a female student

Small Class Sizes

Our small class sizes of usually 25 or less allows individual attention to each student while encouraging greater interaction with their professors and classmates.