The Department of Psychology and Pedagogy was established by order of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine dated 16/06/2023 No. 503 to ensure high-quality training of police officers and to open a new specialty 053 - psychology at the Bachelor's and Master's levels. The Department of Psychology and Pedagogy is a structural unit of the Faculty of Training of Specialists for Pre-Trial Investigation Bodies of the Odesa State University of Internal Affairs.

The Department was headed by Doctor of Psychological Sciences, Professor Lyudmila Anatoliivna Snigur as selected through a competition and in accordance with Order 229 dated 11/09/2023. Today, the Department occupies a special place in the system of the Odesa State University of Internal Affairs, naturally combined with the system of psychological support for the training of police officers.

Professor Snigur Lyudmila Anatoliivna is the founder of a scientific school in the field of psychology of community, in 2005 she defended her doctoral dissertation, and in 2006 she became a professor, has a scientific school. Among the education seekers after the defence procedure are officers and civilians who currently hold leading positions in the relevant fields, including defenders at the front. The implementation of the results of the doctoral research includes, among others, the diagnostic and correctional methodology “Symbol of one’s own life and symbol of the life of Ukraine”, which has been used for decades in the training of law enforcement specialists to promote students and cadets’ understanding of their value orientations, meanings in the general development of patriotism and active love of graduates for their Motherland.

The activities of the department are provided by a full-time doctor of pedagogical sciences, professor Iryna Vyacheslavivna Buzhyna, a well-known specialist in Ukraine, a member of the specialized academic council for the defense of scientific works for the degree of doctor and candidate of pedagogical sciences. Professor of the department Prudka Liudmyla Mykolaivna is a guarantor in the training of psychologists in the specialty 053 of the basic Bachelor's level, has publications in the relevant field, known in Ukraine and abroad. Professor of the department Matienko Tetiana Vasyliivna has worked at the state university for decades, has prepared a great amount of graduates, some of whom work at the university and are followers of the professor's scientific school. Professor of the department Pasko Olha Mykolaivna has gone from a university student to a well-known scientist in her field, develops fundamental research, is the author of many scientific works, has a high rating among students, cadets and enjoys great respect among university employees. Professor of the department, candidate of psychological sciences Smirnova Olha Mykhailivna, is a practical psychologist, profiler with over twenty-five years of experience, the author of the conscious corporal psychology of personality development. She provides implementation and control over the training of specialists in the practical component of the implementation of the acquired knowledge.

The Department of Psychology and Pedagogy provides teaching of more than four dozen academic disciplines, including general psychology, history of psychology, psychological foundations of countering terrorism, Ukrainian national psychology and pedagogy in achievements and personalities, psychology of human health: spiritual, personal and physical dimensions, psychology and others. Students and cadets who study the disciplines of the department can communicate effectively under stress and unforeseen circumstances, act effectively and provide first aid if rehabilitation measures are necessary in war conditions, know the basics of psychological recovery of a person.

The lecturer of the department, Krasnopolska Svitlana Mykhailivna, leads a cadet-student scientific circle: “Psychologist”. At the meetings of the circle, higher education seekers deepen their knowledge of psychology and pedagogy and develop interesting scientific areas of research, participate in scientific events at the university and beyond.