Forensic Psychology represents the intersection between the psychological and pathological fields and the justice system. An expert in forensic psychology would have to understand the legal principles, especially those regarding expert witness testimony, discernment at the moment of the crime, the psychological parameters which qualify the suspect to testify in court etc. Clinical, social and organizational subfields of the branch are the major areas where the forensic psychology experts can be hired, be it private or institutional. Regardless of their expertise and the terminology that they work with, when addressing in court the experts would have to use a language that the court understands in order for their opinion to be taken into consideration.
The practice involves not only the psychological theoretical and practical knowledge, but also a thorough understanding of the legal system throughout which most of the issues are faced. The field of forensic psychology is broad applied and it offers numerous opportunities to the practitioner.
| University | Alder School of Professional Psychology, Chicago, Illinois |
| Duration | 12 months |
| Type | Full time, Part time |
| Tuition and fees | $1,100 per credit hour |
| Program link |
Alder University, Chicago School of Professional Psychology Program Information
The master is called Arts of Counseling and the specialization it offers is in Forensic Psychology with a degree program which prepares the students for a high standard specialized future career integrating knowledge of human behavior with active participation in the criminal justice system. Specialized course work exposes students to the predominant theories and techniques of forensic evaluation, including the determination of a defendant’s competency to stand trial, determination of sanity at the time of an offense, and determination of qualification for the death penalty in the event of a conviction for a capital crime.
The university offers its students the possibility to practice the theoretical knowledge in organized environments in order for them to better assimilate and consolidate the approach that is presented on the core modules of the program, which are:
– The Criminal Mind
– Juvenile Delinquency
– Assessment
– Family Violence
– Profiling the Homicidal Offender
– Internship
– Forensic Seminar
Other useful information: Students also develop comprehensive understanding of the techniques associated with the forensic practitioner’s involvement in criminal investigations, including activities such as forensic hypnosis, offender and geographic profiling, and the ongoing review of police interview and witness identification procedures. Students are introduced to such specialized topics as the psychological effects of incarceration, jury selection, the evaluation of sexually dangerous persons, and the psychosocial development of the criminal personality type.
| University | University of New Haven, Connecticut |
| Duration | 12 months |
| Type | Full time, Part time |
| Tuition and fees | $21,600 per year |
| Program link |
University of New Haven, Criminal Justice Program information
Criminal Justice, M.S., Forensic Psychology Concentration requires a total of 36 credits for the degree of master of science in criminal justice. Some students are required to complete an additional three credits if the graduate advisor finds that they do not have an adequate background in criminal justice. All degree candidates must complete the core curriculum. After consultation with an advisor, students select electives from a list of approved courses.The transfer of credit from other institutions is permitted subject to the Graduate School policy on transfer credit detailed elsewhere in this catalog. The concentration core courses which are at the student’s disposal include:
– Mental Health Law
– Abnormal Psychology in Forensic Populations
– Forensic Assessment
– Forensic Treatment Modules
– Introduction to Psychotherapy and Counseling
Other useful information: Students may elect to undertake a thesis project in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree. Registration for a minimum of six thesis credits would be required. The thesis must show their ability to organize materials in an academic manner and to present well-reasoned conclusions. Thesis preparation and submission must comply with the Graduate School policy on theses as well as specific departmental requirements. Detailed information is available from the student’s advisor.
Students who do not elect to undertake thesis work must pass a comprehensive final examination. This examination may be oral, written, or both, and is based on the program of study that the student has completed for the degree. Additional information about the comprehensive examination is available from the student’s advisor.
| University | Northeastern University, Massachusetts |
| Duration | 12 months |
| Type | Full time, Part time |
| Tuition and fees | $21,267per year |
| Program link |
North-Eastern University, Bouvé College of Health Sciences Program Information
The program is called Master of Science in Counseling Psychology and it offers the students the possibility of specific concentration within the general master’s program on one of the following: health psychology, forensic counseling, early intervention and child and adolescent psychology. This way, addition depth in studying the chosen areas is being gained for the practitioners as well as for the university performance and their future employers in the field. This specification also increases their chances to be easily employed after finishing the education program.
The forensic psychology concentrated program is a 60 semester hour program, which seeks to educate master level practitioners. The Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study is a 30 semester hour program for the students who already hold a master’s degree and wish to study further on the matter, to enhance their abilities and career prospects. The program is committed to the development of competent Licensed Mental Health Counselors, through the disciplinary studies and contemporary professional practice of counseling psychology.
Other useful information:The philosophy of the MSCP degree program at Northeastern University follows an ecological model of development and intervention. The program studies the way people interact in their environments — family, cultural background, social, economic, and political structures.
| University | Trine University, Indiana |
| Duration | 12 months |
| Type | Full time, Part time |
| Tuition and fees | $480 per credit hour |
| Program link |
Trine University, Forensic Psychology MS Program Information
The Forensic Psychology concentration of the Mster of Science in Criminal Justice prepares students to understand the behavioral and psychological tenants of deviant behavior, as well as the correlates and causations of crimes. The program’s core courses include:
– Correctional Counseling
– Investigative Psychology
– Crisis Intervention
– Police Psychology
– Child Protection Psychology
– Victim Psychology
– Sex Offender Psychology
– Juvenile delinquency counseling
Other useful information: The program prepares students to assume key leadership roles as professionals working in fire safety, law enforcement, social work and to analyze criminal justice issues as well as implement change within the criminal justice system. Their skills in program planning and evaluation are also developed within the program of Master of Science in Criminal Justice.
| University | Adelphi University, New York |
| Duration | 12 months |
| Type | Full time, Part time |
| Tuition and fees | $32,570 per year |
| Program link |
Adelphi University Master of Arts, Forensic Psychology MA Program Information
Graduates with an M.A. in general psychology may obtain employment in a range of settings including but not limited to research laboratories, mental health clinics, social work agencies, law enforcement agencies, or private industry. The M.A. in General Psychology does not provide training that leads to NY State license and therefore, does not lead to independent practice. The core modules for the specialization in Forensic Psychology include:
– Personality/ Psychopathology Diagnosis
– Research Design
– Developmental Psychology
– Consciousness and Cognition – Theories of the Mind
– Contemporary views of Psychoanalytic Theory
– Statistics of the Behavioral Sciences
Other useful information: The Master of Arts in General Psychology student must take 12 courses (3 credits each), where five are required core courses in the foundations of psychology. The remaining seven are electives that allow the student to tailor course selections to their individual needs. Students may choose electives from a specific area of focus, such as clinical studies or forensic psychology; or students may declare a Concentration in Industrial-Organizational Psychology or Substance Abuse Counseling.
| University | College of St. Elizabeth, New Jersey |
| Duration | 12 months |
| Type | Full time, Part time |
| Tuition and fees | $19,152 per year |
| Program link |
College of Saint Elizabeth, University of New Jersey Program Information
The College of Saint Elizabeth offers a Master of Arts (M.A.) in Psychology and a Master of Arts (M.A.) in Forensic Psychology. Students in the M.A. in Psychology degree program specialize in counseling psychology, school counseling, and mental health counseling.The Psychology department offers undergraduate, master’s and doctoral degrees, with specializations in Counseling and Forensic Psychology students gain a greater understanding of human behavior, the role of psychology in everyday life, and the importance of social justice within the human condition. Programs feature close professional relationships with professors and a supportive environment. The core modules for the Master’s program of forensic psychology includes:
– Introduction to Forensic Psychology
– Violence and Risk Assessment
– Trauma and Crisis Intervention
– Psychological Assessment for Forensic Psychology
– Evaluation and Treatment of Juvenile Offenders
– Evaluation and Treatment of Adult Offenders
– The Social Psychology of Crime and Criminal Behavior
Other useful information: Faculty members regularly evaluate the progress of each student enrolled in the Master’s Programs. This review addresses both the student’s progress toward the completion of the academic degree and the student’s development as a counseling practitioner. Students must continue to develop in both areas. Depending on the outcome of this evaluation, students may be required to take remedial action such as repeating course work, taking additional practice, taking a leave of absence, etc. In unusual instances, the student may be terminated from the programs as a result of the evaluation process.
| University | Walden University, New Jersey |
| Duration | 12 months |
| Type | Full time, Part time |
| Tuition and fees | $1,186 per credit hour |
| Program link |
Walden University, Forensic Psychology MS Program Information
Current psychological theories and concepts are applied as the students explore trends in criminal behavior and prepare for a career across a range of settings, including correctional institutions, psychiatric facilities, community-based agencies, mental health centers, child welfare agencies, and forensic units in mental health facilities. The specializations include:
– Forensic Psychology in the Community
– Mental Health Applications
– Program Planning and Evaluation in Forensic Settings
– Psychology and Legal Systems
Other useful information: The students will learn research methods to evaluate programs aimed at forensic populations, conduct forensic assessments, and work to enhance systems and programs for incarcerated and recently released offenders and other forensic populations, including juveniles. Walden’s Master’s in Forensic Psychology is one of the only online graduate programs of its kind.
| University | Fairleigh Dickinson University, New Jersey |
| Duration | 12 months |
| Type | Full time, Part time |
| Tuition and fees | $26,900 per year |
| Program link |
Fairleigh Dickinson University, Forensic Psychology MA Program Information
The program is designed to offer the students the maximum possible exposure to the broad field of forensic psychology while at the same time streamlining a curriculum that allows students to finish in 18 months. Students are exposed through coursework to all of the areas of forensic psychology practice. In addition, students gain invaluable clinical experience through the completion of a 300-hour externship placement, and have the option to participate in forensic research and do a thesis. The core modules include:
– Statistics and Research Methods
– Psychopathology
– Introduction to Forensic Psychology
– Psychological Basis of Human Behavior
– Evaluating Criminal Psychology and Competency to Stand Trial
– Forensic Evaluation and Assessment
– Forensic Interviewing Techniques
– Clinical Practice in Forensic Contexts
– Ethical Issues in Forensic Psychology
Masters-level forensic psychologists will not, for the most part, be assigned to conduct these evaluations, although they may assist under the supervision a doctoral-level forensic psychologist. Masters-level forensic psychologists most frequently are employed as clinicians who conduct therapy with forensic clients, either in forensic settings (e.g., jails, prisons, locked forensic units in state hospitals) or in the community with probationers or parolees. Masters-level forensic psychologists are also employed to do research with a variety of justice-related agencies and organizations. As noted, masters-level forensic psychologists may also be hired by court clinics or private practitioners to assist with evaluations under the supervision of a licensed psychologist.
Other useful information: Although many forensic psychologists are academics who teach and do research, most are full-time practitioners. Forensic psychologists are, essentially, clinicians trained to conduct specialized evaluations for the courts and testify as expert witnesses. The evaluations that the courts may request vary widely, ranging from criminal responsibility, diminished capacity and competency to child custody, disability, personal injury, death penalty mitigation, malingering, and violence / dangerousness risk.
| University | Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences |
| Duration | 24 months |
| Type | Full time, Part time |
| Tuition and fees | $22,127 in-state, 43,572 out-of-state per year |
| Program link |
Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences Forensic Psychology MA Program Information
The degree requires satisfactory completion of 39 graduate credit hours, a research project, participation in graduate seminars or continuing education and a comprehensive examination. The maximum time to complete the degree is seven years. Throughout the program, the student must maintain a 3.0 or better grade point average. Specialization students dedicate six of the required credit hours to research, for which they publish, present, and defend a Master’s thesis in the final semester. The Master’s degree offers specialization for individuals pursuing careers in crime laboratories, investigative agencies, or teaching and research in the forensic sciences in one of the following fields: Forensic Biology / DNA, Forensic Pathology / Death Scene Investigation, Forensic Psychology and Forensic Toicology / Trace Evidence. The core modules include:
– Internship in Forensic Sciences
– Methods in Forensic Sciences
– Forensic Pathology and Medicine
– Forensic Psychology
– Advanced Forensic Psychology
– Forensic Problem-Solving through Applied Research
Other useful information: Full-time students taking nine credits per semester may graduate in two to three years. Part-time students enrolling in six credits per semester may complete the program in three-and-one-half to four years. With at least 21 of the required graduate hours available online, full-time students pursuing specialization may relocate to the Tulsa area after the second semester. At least two or three semesters on campus are required for advanced studies and thesis research.
| University | Alliant International University, California |
| Duration | 12 months |
| Type | Full time, Part time |
| Tuition and fees | $1,095 per credit hour |
| Program link |
Alliant International University, Forensic Psychology MA Program Information
The Master of Applied Criminology includes a concentration program called Criminal Behavior, which is designed for students interested in understanding offenders from a motivational, psychological, and social perspective. It will enhance the knowledge base for students interested in law enforcement, correctional, investigative, or consulting careers. The master’s degree program enhances the skill set and employability of those interested in entering – or currently working in – the field of criminology. Each concentration is taught by faculty with field expertise in that area. Students can choose their concentration based on their interests or what is most relevant to their career. All of the concentrations supplement a strong educational base in law, research, theory, and applied criminology. The core modules for Criminal Behavior Concentration are:
– Advanced Criminal Behaviors – Mass and Serial Criminals
– Investigative Psychology and Behavioral Profiling
– Targeted Violence and Threat Assessment
– Violence and the Juvenile Offender
– Technology and Crime
– Interviewing and Interrogation – History and Fundamentals
– Public / Private Partnership – A Multidisciplinary Approach to Mitigating Crime and Terrorism
– Applied Criminology Research Practicum
Other useful information: California School of Forensic Studies (CSFS) at Alliant International University is on the forefront of redefining and expanding the traditional definitions of criminology, criminal justice, and forensic studies. As one of the first schools established dedicated to the field of forensics the specialists put at the students’ disposal all the necessary means in order to impact society, public opinion and policy through evidence-based practices.
| University | Chicago School of Professional Psychology |
| Duration | 12 months |
| Type | Full time, Part time |
| Tuition and fees | $1,011 per credit hour |
| Program link |
Chicago School of Professional Psychology, Forensic Psychology MA Program Information
Students learn from experienced faculty through a practitioner-focused curriculum and obtain the skills needed to effectively use psychology in legal and public policy arenas in an ethical, academically informed, and research-based manner. A master’s degree in forensic psychology can open the door to a variety of professional opportunities that apply the art and science of psychology to the understanding and functioning of legal and related fields, including such areas as evaluating criminal minds and detecting criminal actions.The concentration of this masters program include Child Protection, Corrections and Sex Offenders. The core modules include:
– Forensic Mediation and Dispute Resolution
– Hostage Negotiations
– Evaluation and Treatment of the Juvenile Offender
Other useful information: Chicago Campus students gain hands-on experience at The Chicago School Forensic Center, which provides high-quality forensic psychological services and programming (such as evidence-based interventions, policy advocacy, and program development) to improve the health and well-being of individuals within diverse communities. Through a range of community partnerships, the center gives students powerful service-learning opportunities that prepare them to be competent and civically engaged forensic mental health practitioners.
| University | University of Massachusetts, Boston |
| Duration | 12 months |
| Type | Full time, Part time |
| Tuition and fees | $11,966 in-state, $15,018 out-of-state per year |
| Program link |
University of Massachusetts Applied Sociology Masters Program Information
Applied Sociology masters students may choose to complete a concentration in Forensic Services. Forensic Services focuses on the intersection between professionals in the criminal justice and mental health service systems. The students are offered the possibility to choose the concentration on forensic psychology. The program’s emphasis on analysis and its interdisciplinary approach are strengthened by collaborations between the UMass Boston Department of Psychology, the Department of Sociology, the Graduate Program in Counseling, and the UMass School of Medicine Department of Psychiatry. The core modules are:
– Fundamental of Applied Sociology
– Applied Sociological Theory
– Research Methods (I, II)
– Counseling Theory and Practice
– Social Psychiatry
– Sociology of Health and Illness
– two of the following: Alcohol, Drugs and Crime; Sociology of Law; Classic and Contemporary Views of the Nature of Crime; Contemporary Issues in Responding to Crime
Other useful information: The program provides a strong grounding in basic social science, mental health counseling, and social theory, while at the same time offering practical skills and competencies in mental health and criminal justice. This enables students to serve as effective professionals in a variety of social service environments where the problems of crime and mental illness intersect.
| University | John Jay College of Criminal Justice of the City University of New York |
| Duration | 12 months |
| Type | Full time, Part time |
| Tuition and fees | $ 5,440 per credit hour |
| Program link |
John Jay College of Criminal Justice of the City University of New York Program Information
The Master of Arts in Forensic Psychology is designed to train practitioners to provide psychology services to, and within, the criminal and civil justice systems as well as to prepare students for doctoral study in psychology. The 42-credit curriculum focuses on the understanding, evaluation and treatment of both offenders and victims. Through the curriculum, students are provided with an advanced understanding of psychological development and psychopathology, personality assessment, psychotherapeutic techniques and research methods. The core modules are:
– Mental Health Professionals, Social Science and the Law
– Research Design and Methods
– Psychopathology
– two courses from: Criminal Psychological Assessment; Intellectual and Cognitive Assessment; Projective Personality Assessment; Objective Personality Assessment; Brain and Behavior
– one course from: Human Growth and Development; Theories of Personality and Counseling
– one course from: Counseling and Psychotherapy Methods; Clinical Interviewing and Assessment
Other useful information: In the Forensic Psychology Program, students may take an externship consisting of a minimum of 300 hours in an appropriate psychological setting under the supervision of a licensed psychologist or other trained mental health professional approved by the program director. Alternatively, qualified students may complete a thesis.
| University | Feinstein College of Arts and Sciences, Roger Williams University, Rhode Island |
| Duration | 24 months |
| Type | Full time, Part time |
| Tuition and fees | $ 6,939 per year |
| Program link |
Feinstein College of Arts and Sciences, Roger Williams University, Program Information
A two-year, full-time program, the Master of Arts in Forensic Psychology is designed to prepare students to provide assessment and treatment services in a forensic setting or further training at the doctoral level. Students will be trained in psychological testing, treatment, research methodology and psychopathology. Applicants should have an undergraduate degree in Psychology, Criminal Justice, or related field, and must have satisfactorily completed undergraduate courses in Statistics and Research Methods.The core modules are:
– Research Design
– Quantitative Methods
– Forensic Psychology
– Psychology and the Law
– Introduction to Clinical Assessment
– Objective Tests
– Cross Cultural Psychology
– Ethics in Professional Psychology
– one course from: Developmental Psychopathology; Adult Psychopathology; Psychology of Criminal Behavior.
Other useful information: The Master of Arts in Forensic Psychology curriculum is arranged in two tracks: (1) Non-Thesis/Practitioner (for students seeking specialized training in psychology prior to entering the work force as master’s level forensic practitioners), and (2) Thesis (for students seeking master’s level training in psychology as preparation for future study toward a doctoral degree in psychology). The nine-course core sequence provides students with the breadth and depth needed in both the theoretical foundation as well as the research and skills necessary to become forensic psychologists. Students then select four electives from various areas within Forensic Psychology.Internships and practical activities are available at a variety of forensic sites. Experiences include the areas of group psychotherapy, sex offender treatment, individual psychotherapy, psychological testing, and specialized assessment techniques. Research-based internships are also available.
| University | Castleton State College, Vermont |
| Duration | 24 months |
| Type | Full time, Part time |
| Tuition and fees | $ 10,290 in-state, 15,420 out-of-state per year |
| Program link |
Castleton State College Forensic Psychology Masters Program Information
This concentration focuses attention on applications of psychological research and theory to the judicial process including: courts, law enforcement, corrections, probation and parole, and the general practice of law. The core modules are:
– Social Psychology
– Police Psychology
– Criminal Behavior
– Juvenile Delinquency
– Psychological Testing
– Psychology and Law
Other useful information:The department welcomes students who demonstrate the interest, motivation, and intellectual capacity to pursue a career in psychology. Some majors will attend graduate school, while others will seek employment directly after graduation. The department is committed to preparing students for both career choices. The faculty are active as scholars, consultants, and licensed clinicians. The College Support Team is committed to rapidly identifying and proactively supporting students whose academic, emotional, and/or financial challenges may hinder them from succeeding at Castleton. The programs rely on referrals from faculty and staff who suspect that a student is experiencing difficulty in one of the following areas: academic performance, financial stability, psychological well-being (depression, anxiety, substance abuse), adjusting to college.
| University | Marymount University, New York |
| Duration | 24 months |
| Type | Full time, Part time |
| Tuition and fees | $ 885 per credit hour |
| Program link |
Marymount University, Forensic Psychology Masters Program Information
The discipline of forensic and legal psychology is concerned with the application of psychological knowledge to the legal system. Marymount’s Forensic and Legal Psychology program is interdisciplinary and combines study in sociology, criminal justice, policy, and law, in addition to the many subfields of psychology. It addresses questions of value, such as how best to achieve fairness and justice in the American adversarial legal system, as well as empirical issues such as the origins of criminal behavior, problems with eyewitness testimony, evaluation of threats against public figures, personalities of political leaders, the origins of terrorism, evaluation and treatment of offenders, and the effectiveness of trial consultation. Each course incorporates an ethics component to encourage you to grapple with the extremely complicated issues involved in a career in forensic and legal psychology.The core modules are:
– Bases of Psychopathology
– Research Methods
– Legal and Investigative Psychology
– Issues in the American Legal System
– Psychology, Social Policy, and Law
– Psychology of Criminal Behavior
– Forensic Assessment
– Internship: Forensic and Legal Psychology
Other useful information: The internship experience (300 hours) is a highlight for students seeking the Master of Arts in Forensic and Legal Psychology. Marymount University’s location near Washington, DC, provides students with numerous, exciting internship choices. Some students are already working in the field; but unless they have several years of experience, they are still required to complete an internship. Otherwise, they are missing out on valuable knowledge and skills acquisition, as well as the opportunity to apply what they’re learning in their classes. There are numerous options for students to ensure that they can conduct an internship while working and going to school. Student work and research is going to focus mainly on one of the following: Investigation into a Homicide Suspect Recidivism Risk Assessment Instrument, Identification of Stressors Experienced by Female Federal Law Enforcement Officers, Child Custody and Termination of Parental Rights Study or Psychological Autopsy Research.
| University | Sage Graduate School, New York |
| Duration | 24 months |
| Type | Full time, Part time |
| Tuition and fees | $ 11,880 per year |
| Program link |
Sage Graduate School, Forensic Mental Health Masters Program Information
The masters program of Forensic Mental Health is one of the fastest growing areas of specialization in mental health and criminal justice. As more cities and states recognize the expanding demand for programs, services, planning, and supervision of clients who have both mental health needs and criminal justice involvement, professionals to address these needs are in high demand. This 39-credit graduate program will prepare the students to be effective professionals in their area of specialization by providing an exciting cross-disciplinary program that includes clinical and non-clinical course work in social science research, law, psychology, criminal justice, substance abuse, and victimology. The students will learn about (a) the many issues facing agencies, individuals, and families who are affected by the forensic mental health system and (b) evidence-based solutions to these complex issues. The core modules are:
– Research Methods in the Social Sciences
– Introduction to Forensic Mental Health
– Victimology and Victim Services
– Evaluation and Treatment of Adult Offenders
– Evaluation and Treatments of Court-Involved Youth
– Introduction to US Law to FMH
– Family and Juvenile Law
– Abnormal Psychology
– Substance Abuse
Other useful information: These professional boundary spanners provide specialized expertise across the many social systems these clients utilize including the criminal justice, mental health, substance abuse, and social service systems.
| University | |
| Duration | 24 months |
| Type | Full time, Part time |
| Tuition and fees | $ 3,776 in-state, $10,183 out-of-state per year |
| Program link |
College of Juvenile Justice and Psychology of Prairie View A&M University Program Information
The College of Juvenile Justice and Psychology at Prairie View A&M University offers graduate courses leading to a Master of Science Degree in Juvenile Forensic Psychology (MSJFP). The MSJFP Program seeks a diverse group of qualified students with backgrounds in various disciplines committed to working in agencies to improving the life experiences of youths involved in the Juvenile Justice System or mental health facilities.
Specifically, the primary objectives of the Master of Science in Juvenile Forensic Psychology are to: enhance students’ knowledge of how psychology interacts with the law and the legal system; increase students’ knowledge of theoretical explanations of juvenile delinquency, juvenile crime, and juvenile aggression, especially from the viewpoint of psychological theories; provide students with skills in research methodology and statistics; enhance students’ knowledge of the cognitive and personality development of youth especially as it pertains to aggression in various life stages. The core modules are:
– Foundations of Juvenile Justice
– Theories of Delinquency
– Research Methods
– Applied Statistical Methods and Computing
Other useful information:The MSJFP Program requires the completion of 36 semester credit hours. Two options are available for students: thesis and externship. The thesis option is designed for students interested in research and a Ph.D. The externship option is designed for students who desire to work in the field of forensic psychology. Students enrolled on a full-time basis can complete the program in two years.
| University | University of Houston, Texas |
| Duration | 24 months |
| Type | Full time, Part time |
| Tuition and fees | $ 4,534 in-state, $10,906 out-of-state per year |
| Program link |
University of Houston, Forensic Psychology MA Program Information
UHV’s M.A. program in Forensic Psychology requires undergraduate coursework in Statistics, Research Methods, and Abnormal Psychology as prerequisites to the Forensic Psychology program. Program curriculum can be broken into three parts: core classes, Forensic Psychology concentration requirements, and practicum requirements. The core modules are:
– Advanced Abnormal Psychology
– Advanced Research Methods
– Life-span Developmental Psychology
– Multicultural Psychotherapy
– Advanced Social Psychology
– Ethics and Practice of Psychology
– Theories and Issues in Psychotherapy
– Techniques of Psychotherapy
– Introduction to Assessment
– Advanced Assessment
Other useful information: The professionals will be taught to apply psychological knowledge in the field to work with people in legal settings, throughout the 60 hour Master of Arts degree in Forensic Psychology. The program has a strong clinical focus, and will prepare students to obtain the Licensed Professional Counselor credential, which will allow them to engage in assessment and counseling in a variety of forensic settings such as prisons, juvenile detention facilities, child protective agencies, and private forensic practice groups.
| University | American International College, Massachusetts |
| Duration | 24 months |
| Type | Full time, Part time |
| Tuition and fees | $ 10,040 per year |
| Program link |
American International College Forensic Psychology Masters Program Information
This program is designed for students with a baccalaureate degree in psychology, criminal justice or a closely related field. The forensic psychology program is primarily concerned with the application of psychological principles and skills to the understanding and functioning of the legal and criminal justice system. The core modules are:
– Interpersonal Violence
– Psychological Aspects of the Criminal Justice System
– Ethics in Criminal Justice
– Applied Research in Criminal Behavior
– Principles of Forensic Psychology
– Assessment Techniques in Forensic Psychology
– Psychology of Development
Other useful information: The admissions committee carefully considers all applicants, especially
those with a solid record of academic achievement and a strong interest in the discipline. All candidates must have completed a baccalaureate degree program with either a major or minor in psychology, or related fields, at an accredited United States college or university, or its equivalent in another country. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, but admissions are limited.
| University | California Baptist University |
| Duration | 24 months |
| Type | Full time, Part time |
| Tuition and fees | $ 10,080 per year |
| Program link |
California Baptist University Forensic Psychology MA Program Information
The Master of Arts in Forensic Psychology from California Baptist University prepares professionals qualified to provide critical psychological services to the criminal justice system. Uniquely designed to integrate law and psychology, CBU’s MA in Forensic Psychology focuses on the understanding of human behavior within the legal system. Graduates come away with the interdisciplinary knowledge to shape laws and policies that reflect human behavior. The core modules are:
– Legal Research and Reasoning
– Advanced Criminal Law
– Theories and Perspectives of Criminal Behavior
– Criminal Investigation
– Statistical Analysis
– Statistical Analysis
– Forensic Research Methods
– Forensic Research Methods
– Biological Bases of Behavior
– Criminal Profiling
– Advanced Social Psychology
– Advanced Psychopathology and Criminality
– Forensic Psychology
– Forensic Practicum
– Forensic Practicum
– Human Growth and Development
Other useful information: CBU’s Graduate Program in Forensic Psychology encompasses a psychosocial and biblical understanding of psychopathology, law and psychology, and police psychology.
The program in forensic psychology is designed to educate clinicians to provide psychological services to the criminal justice system. The program is designed for students whose primary interest and intention is working or studying in areas which intersect with the criminal justice system.
Classes focus on the theories, evaluation, adjudication and potential treatment of adult and juvenile offenders. In addition, the program addresses the rights and treatment of victims of crime.
| University | University of Central Oklahoma |
| Duration | 24 months |
| Type | Full time, Part time |
| Tuition and fees | $ 4,137 in-state $10,359 out-of-state per year |
| Program link |
University of Central Oklahoma Forensic Psychology MA Program Information
The program emphasizes scientific research in experimental psychology and applications to forensics issues. It is a nonclinical program that trains students in quantitative methods of scientific inquiry. In addition to the core courses required for all Psychology M.A. students, students in the Forensic Psychology major will take classes in the Psychology Department as well as the Forensic Science Institute. The core modules are:
– Behavioral Neuroscience
– Psychopathology
– Advanced Developmental Psychology
– Experimental Design
– Advanced Social Psychology
– Cognitive Psychology
Other useful information: The Master of Arts in Psychology has been designed as a flexible, multipurpose degree program with professional psychology as its foundation. Degree programs are structured to provide the knowledge and skills necessary to qualify students for specialized employment opportunities and/or the preparation necessary to pursue the doctoral degree in psychology. Within this program, students may select from the following majors: counseling, experimental, forensic, general, school, board certified behavior analyst.
| University | University of Denver, Colorado |
| Duration | 24 months |
| Type | Full time, Part time |
| Tuition and fees | $ 41,112 per year |
| Program link |
University of Denver Forensic Psychology MA Program information
The Master of Arts in forensic psychology was first offered at the GSPP in 1999 in response to the growing interest in the rapidly developing field of forensic psychology. The degree supplements fundamental master’s level clinical psychology training with course work and practicum experiences in the area of psychology and law. The Masters Degree in forensic psychology concerns the application of psychological theory, knowledge, skills and competencies to the civil and criminal justice systems. It is designed to train students to become mental health professionals, able to work in a variety of clinical settings within the criminal and civil legal system, including but not limited to: adult, juvenile and child populations; victim assistance; police consultation; correctional institutions; domestic violence and child abuse programs; and trial consulting. The core modules are:
– Interviewing and Theories of Psychotherapy
– Issues in Forensic Psychology: Forensic Mental Health Basis
– Issues in Forensic Psychology: Law Enforcement and Correctional Psychology
– Group Interventions
– Psychopathology and Diagnosis
– The Psychology of Criminal Behavior
– Conflict Resolution
– Socio-Cultural Issues in Forensic Psychology
– Mental Health Law
– Evaluation and Treatment of the Juvenile Offender
– Psychopathology, Evaluation and Treatment of the Adult Offender
Other useful information: The curriculum and practicum experiences are extensive and comprehensive, in that all our courses are forensically-based and our students are engaged in direct service through the course of their two years in the program. The core and adjunct faculty members offer our students and program expertise in the psychology and law fields. They are an extremely accomplished group of practitioners, scholars, researchers, presenters, and most importantly, educators. The students are motivated and invested in their education, and are actively engaged in their training.
| University | Missouri State University |
| Duration | 24 months |
| Type | Full time, Part time |
| Tuition and fees | $ 4,500 in-state, $9,018 out-of-state per year |
| Program link |
Missouri State University, Forensic Psychology MA Program Information
The program is structured according to the APA cohort model. The program fulfills the educational requirement for license as a counselor. The courses are taught by highly experienced licensed and research-active faculty members, many of whom hold leadership roles within their areas of expertise. The students will receive practicum and research experiences, which strengthen your skills in interviewing, administering tests and diagnosing illnesses. The core modules are:
– Forensic Psychology: Child Abuse and the Law
– Analysis of Interpersonal Behavior
– Psychological Effects of Dementia
– Abnormal Psychology
– Forensic Child Psychology
– Introduction to Applied Behavior Analysis
– Psychology of Addictions
– Introduction of Clinical Psychology
– Theories of Social Psychology
Other useful information: From research to student organizations, the department of psychology at Missouri State offers numerous opportunities for its students to learn beyond the classroom. The faculty and the Psychology Advisement Center are committed to helping the students develop a degree plan to reach their educational and career goals, while the university’s student organizations and research opportunities provide them with firsthand experiences and professional development opportunities.
| University | St. Leo University, Florida |
| Duration | 24 months |
| Type | Full time, Part time |
| Tuition and fees | $ 12,114 per year |
| Program link |
Saint Leo University, Forensic Psychology MA Program Information
The students will achieve through this program a broad background in the field through general M.S. in criminal justice courses including those that address crucial issues in the forensic field. The concentration can be taken on forensic psychology, which comes with the following core modules:
– Introduction to Forensic Science
– Advanced Forensic Science
– Crime Scene Investigation Management
– Offender Treatment Methodology
– Contemporary Issues in Community Corrections
– Psychological Aspects of Critical Incidents
Other useful information: Saint Leo University’s criminal justice program director, Dr. Robert J. Diemer, has nearly 30 years of varied investigative experience, and is known across Florida and, increasingly, among national law enforcement at local, state, and federal agency levels. Dr. Diemer has served as a Deputy Sheriff, State Coordinator for the Florida Sheriff’s Association Statewide Task Force, and Chief of Investigations for the Florida Department of Environmental Protections Division of Law Enforcement.
| University | University of North Dakota |
| Duration | 24 months |
| Type | Full time, Part time |
| Tuition and fees | $ 5,875 in-state, $15,666 out-of-state per year |
| Program link |
University of North Dakota Forensic Psychology MA Program Information
The University of North Dakota’s Master of Arts in Forensic Psychology program prepares you to apply psychology to legal systems. It emphasizes how to relate psychological evaluations to the criminal justice and social service systems. In the U.S. forensic graduates obtain master’s-level psychology jobs in agencies and institutions such as prisons, juvenile facilities, social service agencies, police departments, child care agencies, probation, parole, family court, addiction services, hospitals, and community mental health centers. Some students get jobs as forensic researchers doing studies and evaluations of at-risk populations. The core modules are:
– Foundations of Forensic Psychology
– Diversity Psychology
– Forensic Assessment
– Psychology & Law
– Advanced Univariate Statistics
– Multivariate Analysis
– Experimental Design
– Behavior Pathology
– Readings in Psychology
Other useful information: The M.S. degree in forensic psychology will allow some students to advance to doctoral programs in forensic psychology, forensic science, and law school. Students in the M.S. Forensic Psychology Program at UND are required to attend classes on campus and complete 44 credits of study. This includes 26 credits of required course work, 12 credits of elective courses, and a minimum of 6 credit-hours for thesis work.
| University | Holy Names University, California |
| Duration | 24 months |
| Type | Full time, Part time |
| Tuition and fees | $ 34,058 per year per year |
| Program link |
Holy Names University, Forensic Psychology MA Program Information
This 39-unit program is based on a philosophy of therapeutic, restorative justice and is designed for licensed clinicians and nurses. Graduates of this program are prepared for a career in working with victims and perpetrators in a correctional setting. The core modules are:
– Foundations of Counseling: Process and Skills
– Forensic Psychology and the Law
– Psychology of Criminal Behavior
– Substance Abuse Assessment & Treatment
– Assessment, Diagnosis, & Treatment of the Victim
– Assessment, Diagnosis, & Treatment of the Offender
– Forensics: Psychometrics and Assessment
– Forensic Psychology Professional Practice Seminar
– Advanced Issues in Correctional and Community Counseling
– Human Diversity in Counseling
– Domestic Violence Assessment and Treatment
– Supervised Practicum
– Supervised Practicum
– Integrating Seminar
Other useful information: The program, designed for those who may be licensed, prepares professionals for a career in working with victims and perpetrators in a correctional setting. The program is uniquely based in a foundational philosophy of restorative justice. Students will gain theoretical knowledge of the counseling field as it relates to corrections and the legal system, in general. Students completing this program are not eligible for state license as Marriage and Family therapists.
| University | Howard University, Washington, DC |
| Duration | 24 months |
| Type | Full time, Part time |
| Tuition and fees | $ 16,175 per year |
| Program link |
Howard University, Forensic Psychology MA Program Information
The Howard program offers a rigorous series of required courses and practicum experiences, combined with the opportunity to individualize training in either an adult or child-adolescent clinical track. The adult track emphasizes the development of skills in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of adult psychological distress. We stress a systemic framework that integrates social and bio-psychological perspectives with individual and cultural differences. The child-adolescent track is guided by a developmental model that respects the complex interactions between the child, family, community, church, and wider social systems.Students are only accepted into the Ph.D. program and earn a master’s degree within that program. The core modules are:
– Ethics / Problems in Professional Psychology
– Clinical Assessment
– Individual Psychotherapy
– Family Assessment and Therapy
– Psychopathology
– Neuropsychology
– Neuropsychological Assessment
– Statistics
– History and Systems
– Research Methods in breadth area or General Research Methods
– Complex Case Conceptualization
Other useful information: The Clinical Psychology PhD program at Howard University has been accredited by th e American Psychological Association since 1987. The program is a 2005 recipient of the American Psychological Association’s (APA) Richard D. Suinn Minority Achievement Award which honors psychology programs that demonstrate outstanding excellence in recruitment, retention and training of ethnic minority Ph.D. students.The clinical psychology program at Howard University is a full time program of study that merges traditional and cutting edge psychological paradigms in order to prepare students for careers in research, teaching, and practice. Culmination of the program awards students the Masters of Science and the Doctorate of Philosophy degrees. However, we do not have a terminal master’s degree program in clinical psychology program.
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Program of Criminal Justice, Tiffin University Program Information
The Master of Science in Criminal Justice (MSCJ) is a professional practical degree program that attracts skilled managers, agents, and clinicians from many components of the criminal justice and juvenile justice systems. Combined with the faculty who direct and facilitate the educational experiences in the MSCJ program, the school’s talented and multifaceted students complete the mixture and create an intellectual synergy that’s found in very few graduate programs.
The modules are:
– Psychology and Law
– Statistical Applications in Forensic Psychology
– Victimology
– Research Design and Analysis in Forensic Psychology
– Legal and Ethical Issues in Forensic Psychology
– Psychopathology and Criminal Behavior
– Lifestyles and Career Development Seminar
– Proseminar in Advanced Clinical and Experimental Forensic Psychology
– Mental Health Law
– Applied Advanced Psychological Assessment
– Psychology of Sex Crimes
– Substance Abuse
– Forensic Counseling
Other useful information: Tiffin University is ready to transform your future with the MSCJ degree program. This program attracts motivated students who want to make a difference in the real world, and at TU, we help you by providing a personal and practical education. Below are just a few of the many general and specific career paths that our graduates have taken. The Forensic Psychology Concentration is offered in a four semester format, with the addition of an intercession course or thesis option. This concentration is designed for students interested in examining the relationship between Psychology and the Criminal Justice system. As a student, you will develop knowledge and expertise in crisis intervention, counseling, psychopathology, personality assessment, and research methods.
| University | Concordia University Saint Paul, New Jersey |
| Duration | 24 months |
| Type | Full time, Part time |
| Tuition and fees | $ 6,200 per year |
| Program link |
Concordia University Saint Paul, Forensic Psychology Program Information
Concordia University, St. Paul offers the Master of Arts in Human Services with an emphasis in Forensic Mental Health in partnership with the American Institute for the Advancement of Forensic Studies (AIAFS). The 36-credit hour program is offered entirely online and focuses on the direct relationship between mental health and the law. The program provides students with a comprehensive overview of the field of forensic mental health and related systems of care. The program is not a clinical/counseling program. The core modules are:
– Forensic Mental Health
– Family Violence, PTSD and Trauma
– Research Methods in Mental Health
– Ethical and Legal Considerations
– Forensic Mental Health Psychopathology
– Special Populations in Forensic Mental Health
– Forensic Risk Assessment
– Forensic Mental Health Law
Other useful information: Concordia partnered with the American Institute for the Advancement of Forensic Studies (AIAFS) to offer this program. The program targets professionals who have an interest in the field of forensic mental health and related care systems. The partnership enhances curriculum and professional training by using a comprehensive educational approach that focuses on forensic disciplines and current criminal justice issues.
