Social & behavioral sciences students gained new learning experiences in Special Project course

During Fall Semester 2023, students enrolled in the courses Abnormal Psychology (PSY 200) and Introduction to Criminal Justice (CRJ 105) participated in a special project course that provided unique opportunities to learn about career pathways in social and behavioral sciences fields. 

The special project course, HUM 296, was facilitated by Jayne Martin Dressing (Co-op and Internship Coordinator, Humanities & Sciences), along with Dr. Heather Hatchett (Psychology Professor) and Jeanean Mullins (Criminal Justice Instructor).

The course was open to students who plan to continue their education after completing a Cincinnati State degree, and then pursue a career related to psychology, social work, or criminal justice. 

Students in the course earned experiential learning credit by participating in events that included a tour and lecture at River City Correctional Center, a QPR training session on suicide prevention, a panel discussion with College alumni who are practitioners in psychology, criminal justice, and social work, and a panel discussion with local employers in social and behavioral science fields. 

“The project goal was to introduce students taking psychology and criminal justice courses to varied academic and career paths that lead to licensure and credentials to work in human and social services fields,” Jayne Dressing said. “The course activities also helped students learn more about what it means to build a career in these fields.”

“Students enjoyed and appreciated the alumni panel,” Jayne said. “They heard from graduates who had been exactly where they are now, trying to decide on a four-year school and a major and figure out what they want to do with their degree.”

One of the Psychology students commented, “I liked hearing from CState alumni and learning what they are doing now as professionals. I have been worried about my life after Cincy State, but hearing how they transferred and continued earning degrees and then found work in their field of study made me less worried about leaving here and continuing my education.”

The employer panel included representatives from Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, the Clermont County and Hamilton County Public Defender’s Offices, the Family Nurturing Center, Greater Cincinnati Behavioral Health, and River City Correctional Center. Students learned about positions in psychology research, social work, criminal justice, family advocacy, working in the legal system, and working in mental health and recovery services. 

The Fall special project course was the fourth time Humanities & Sciences has offered an experiential learning course option for students enrolled in Abnormal Psychology, but was the first to include students in Criminal Justice also. Students and faculty in other psychology and human and social services courses also were invited to attend the alumni and employer panels via Zoom.  

Jeanean Mullins said, “Students are hungry for learning experiences outside the classroom, like the tour of River City Correctional Center. They also appreciated the chance to hear directly from employers and professionals, and to ask questions to people who work in situations the students had learned about in lectures and textbook reading.”