Online Master's in Forensic Psychology: Comparing Top Schools
If you’ve always been intrigued by the connections between crime and psychology, then pursuing an online master’s degree in forensic psychology is an excellent path. You’ll develop the necessary skills to work in this rapidly evolving field or advance to doctoral studies.
This STEPS guide will show you the myriad ways you can earn an online master’s in forensic psychology today. Learn more about top programs, specialization options, and more today.
Explore Online Forensic Psychology Master’s Programs
Enrolling in an online forensic psychology master’s degree program can allow you to expand your knowledge of psychology and apply it to crime and legal matters. Some programs may offer a specialization option, such as criminal justice, mental health, or legal psychology, allowing you to shape your education and career path.
Many psychology master’s programs include completely online coursework, which can allow you to balance other personal responsibilities. Another benefit of online programs is the affordability, as you can live at home and save on commuting costs. Below are three examples of accredited online master’s programs with varying offerings.
The Chicago School
Consisting of 37 credits, the forensic psychology master’s degree from The Chicago School offers a flexible online program that can be completed in two to four years, depending on whether you pursue full or part-time study. In this program, you’ll have the choice between a licensure track and a non-licensure track; individuals interested in clinical practice should consider the former, while students hoping to work for government organizations or law enforcement may want to consider the latter.
Both tracks of study culminate with an applied research project (non-licensure) or practicum (licensure) at the end of the program. If you’re interested in the licensure track, note that there is both an online and in-person option. For non-licensure, online is the only format.
Duration: Two to four years
Mode: Online or in-person
Cost: $1,409/credit hour
Curriculum:
- Introduction to Forensic Psychology
- Ethics and Professional Issues
- Human Growth and Development
- Applied research project (non-licensure track)
- Practicum and internship (licensure track)
Arizona State University
Arizona State University offers a master’s degree in forensic psychology, and while the program is delivered completely online, the diploma doesn’t differentiate between online and on-campus students. The program consists of 33 credits, including 11 courses that are each just over seven weeks long.
Throughout this program, you will hone your research skills and learn how issues such as mental health are affected by the legal system. This graduate degree provides a strong foundation for students considering an advanced degree such as a doctorate or a PhD in forensic psychology, which is required for becoming a forensic psychologist in Arizona.
Duration: One to two years
Mode: Online
Cost: $703.33/credit hour
Curriculum:
- Advanced Correctional Psychology
- Advanced Forensic Psychology
- Advanced Legal Psychology
- Advanced Psychology of Criminal Investigation
- Fundamentals of Forensic Psychology Research
- Psychopathology
- Seminar in Courts and Sentencing
- Seminar in Criminal Justice
National University
National University’s completely online master’s program in forensic psychology is completed through 30 credits of coursework. This an ideal program for those seeking mentorship in their forensic psychology studies, as National University’s one-to-one learning model sees that each student is mentored by a professor with a doctorate in the field.
As a student in this master’s program, you’ll learn to apply psychological principles to forensic settings, preparing you for a career in law enforcement, the courts, corrections, and more. Standardized test scores such as the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) are not required when applying, lowering the barrier to entry and making this an attractive choice for students seeking flexibility, high-quality instruction, and affordability.
Duration: 16 months
Mode: Online
Cost: $872/credit hour
Curriculum:
- Principals of Forensic Psychology
- Policy and Justice in Forensic Psychology
- Theories of Criminal Behavior
- Fundamentals of Risk and Threat Assessment
- Research Design
- Applied Statistics
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Quick FAQs for Forensic Psych Master’s Students
Do I have to take the GRE to get into an online forensic psychology master’s program?
It depends on the program. Some psychology departments do require that prospective students earn a certain score on the GRE. However, other programs, like the master’s program at Arizona State University, don’t require it, but strongly suggest that students take the GRE if their grade point average (GPA) is lower than 3.3.
What are the admissions requirements for online master’s forensic psychology degrees?
When looking for schools, it’s important to keep in mind that each school has specific criteria for evaluating potential students. However, those who apply to online forensic psychology master’s programs are often expected to:
- Have an undergraduate degree from an accredited college or university (a degree in psychology or a similar discipline is sometimes required)
- Earn at least a 3.0 GPA
- Earn a minimum score on the GRE
- Demonstrate proof of proficiency in English
During the application process, prospective students may be asked to submit letters of recommendation, a resume, and a personal essay explaining why they want to enroll in a forensic psychology program. Preparing these documents ahead of time and familiarizing yourself with the college admission process at the master’s level can help you streamline your applications.
Do online forensic psychology programs teach the same things as on-campus programs?
Yes, since forensic psychology does not require laboratory instruction, students who enroll in an accredited online master’s program are offered the same coursework as students enrolled in on-campus programs. As long as online students, who are often busy working professionals, commit to keeping up with their coursework, they can be confident that they will receive the same quality education as campus-based students.
Keeping up with the essential skills for psychology students and taking advantage of the online resources provided by your school can help you excel in your master’s studies. If you wish to enroll in a program that supports online students, make sure to research what resources a school provides, such as mentorship, research databases, and career counseling.
Can I earn my forensic psychology master’s completely online?
Yes, the subject matter is suitable for distance learning, so schools may offer programs that are conducted entirely online. In other cases, students may be able to take the majority of their coursework online but be expected to come to campus for specific classes, such as capstone courses.
How long does it take to finish a master’s degree in forensic psychology online?
The answer to this depends on the program and your study status. Full-time students can usually finish an online forensic psychology master’s degree in about two years. Part-time students can finish the program in about three to four years, depending on how many courses they take each semester. If you are transferring credits from a related program, you may be able to finish more quickly.
Forensic Psych: Master’s Concentration Choices
Within the field of forensic psychology, you’ll find opportunities to specialize. Many schools offer specialized degrees in areas such as mental health or legal psychology, so students can focus on their interests and gain the knowledge necessary for a career in that area. Below are some examples of specialization options you might pursue.
Criminal Justice
If you have an interest in working in law enforcement or the court system, a forensic psychology master’s degree with a focus in criminal justice can be a good option. This specialization can also be pursued through a master’s in criminal justice with a focus in forensic psychology. Liberty University offers this option in its online master’s in criminal justice, a program with the goal of giving students a thorough understanding of the motives behind crimes, as well as how to protect individuals and restore justice.
Mental Health
For students who wish to study how mental health affects forensic psychology, a focus on mental health may be the right specialization option. Marymount University offers a dual degree option that allows students to obtain training in forensic and legal psychology, as well as in mental health counseling. This type of concentration focuses on clinical psychology techniques that prepare students to work as licensed counselors within public policy, as psychologists, or in other professional positions in the criminal justice field.
Legal Psychology
If you’re interested in how psychology and the law interact, a legal-focused program such as The Master of Legal and Forensic Psychology (MLFP) from the University of California in Irvine can be a good fit. This type of concentration often focuses on how psychological principles and theories affect legal processes, systems, and the courts. It is an interdisciplinary approach that can prepare you to work in academic settings, government agencies, or in a variety of public and private sector organizations and agencies.
Corrections and Rehabilitation
Do you want to focus your studies and career on corrections and rehabilitation? Then a program with an emphasis on forensic and correctional counseling may be relevant. William James College offers a master’s degree with this focus.
Programs such as this emphasize counseling work with persons in court, correctional facilities, juvenile justice, forensic hospital units, community agencies, or other forensic settings. It is an excellent path to take for those wishing to support convicted offenders and guide them through rehabilitation.
Non-Clinical Focus
If you think a doctorate might be in your future or you’re more interested in research than clinical practice, pursuing a master’s degree with a non-clinical focus may be a good option. The Chicago School offers two tracks for its forensic psychology program: licensure and non-licensure.
The non-licensure track allows students to focus on research instead of licensure preparation. Non-clinical focus graduates will still find opportunities for work outside of academia, such as with law enforcement and government agencies that require expert consultants.
Examining Forensic Psychology Master’s Curriculum
The curriculum of a forensic psychology program covers a broad range of intriguing topics, from exploring the criminal mind to understanding courtroom procedures. Students gain a thorough understanding of how the field integrates legal and psychological perspectives to tackle the complex issues that arise in their careers. The following are specific examples of courses students may take.
Criminal Behavior
To better prevent future crimes and identify perpetrators, it’s often up to forensic psychologists to understand and explain why criminals think the way they do and how these thoughts compel them to commit various crimes. In addition to the psychological, this course covers the biological, sociological, and environmental factors that may be involved in criminal behavior.
Criminal Psychological Assessment
This course showcases different types of criminal forensic assessment, including those that measure malingering, competency, and an offender’s mental state as a crime was committed. Students learn how to administer and score these tests and interpret the results to decide how a legal matter should be handled.
Expert Witness Testimony
A big part of a forensic psychologist’s work is providing testimony during a case to help judges and juries understand the psychological complexities that may be involved and determine appropriate sentencing. This course teaches students how to act as expert witnesses in trials and depositions to provide information effectively during direct and cross-examinations.
Forensic Psychology Research
This class examines how forensic psychologists conduct research ethically and follow a sound scientific method, beginning from a proposed hypothesis to the final published product. It serves as a foundational basis for working in an academic setting and contributing to the field. Students taking this course will learn research methods that can be applied in educational, clinical, correctional, and public policy contexts.
Police Psychology
Psychological practices can be helpful beyond the criminal element, as law enforcement personnel are often exposed to high degrees of stress and traumatic subjects. Police psychology courses are ideal for those interested in providing therapy to law enforcement officers. Students learn about common challenges the police face, such as critical incident debriefings, hostage negotiations, domestic violence, and overall workplace stress.
Careers for Forensic Psychology Master’s Grads
Crime Analyst
Crime analysts examine data related to crimes in a specific location in order to help law enforcement identify perpetrators. As part of their analyses, some of the information these professionals may consider includes the frequency of crimes, economic factors, and resident demographics of a particular area.
Crime analysts can also assist with resource allocation, helping law enforcement identify potential hot spots for criminal activity. If your interest in pursuing a master’s in forensic psychology is all about bringing criminals to justice, this career might be for you. However, some states require crime analysts to hold licensure as a forensic psychologist, so be sure to research the qualifications.
Jury or Police Consultant
A jury consultant uses psychological principles in order to make recommendations on who should and should not be seated on a jury panel for a trial. They may also conduct focus groups and help attorneys fine-tune their arguments to ensure they will be persuasive enough to win their cases.
In a similar vein, police consultants help law enforcement understand the minds of criminals and create policing strategies that will be effective in their communities. Consultants may also educate officers on suicide prevention, anger management, and working with mentally ill people.
Victim Advocate
When someone is the victim of a traumatic crime like domestic violence or sexual assault, victim advocates provide them with the support they need. The responsibilities of a victim advocate can include advising victims on how the legal process works, accompanying them to court proceedings, and helping them access resources to cope with the aftermath of the trauma. Individuals interested in victim advocacy might want to consider forensic psychology programs with courses or specializations in mental health.
Best Online Master’s Programs in Forensic Psych
To help you jumpstart your research of online master’s programs in forensic psychology, the STEPS team has created a ranking of top online programs. To be eligible for inclusion, schools must be accredited, offer some portion of learning online, and provide both academic and career support to students.
From the list of eligible schools, we then assigned weighted factors like student-to-faculty ratio and percentage of online courses. To learn more, you can review the provided “About the Rankings” button. Continue reading the list below to discover some of the best programs in the field.
University of California-Irvine
Irvine, California
Public
University of North Dakota
Grand Forks, North Dakota
Public
The Chicago School
Los Angeles, California
Private
