| Rank | School | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of California, Irvine | Irvine, California |
| 2 | Oklahoma State University | Stillwater, Oklahoma |
| 3 | Southern New Hampshire University | Hooksett, NH |
| 4 | The Chicago School of Professional Psychology | Chicago, Illinois |
| 5 | Nova Southeastern University | Davie, Florida |
| 6 | Arizona State University-West | Glendale, Arizona |
| 7 | Liberty University | Lynchburg, VA |
| 8 | University of North Dakota | Grand Forks, ND |
| 9 | Northcentral University | La Jolla, California |
| 10 | University of Louisiana Monroe | Monroe, LA |
| 11 | Capella University | Minneapolis, MN |
| 12 | Walden University | Minneapolis, MN |
This is a ranking of the best online Forensic Psychology master’s programs in the U.S.
Graduates with a Masters in Forensic Psychology will be well-prepared for careers in a range of fields that benefit from an interdisciplinary understanding of Forensic Psychology.
With most programs offering coursework in both psychology and applied psychology in the legal system, students can graduate to work as jury consultants, expert witnesses, victims’ advocates, law enforcement advocates, and case managers across the country.
A forensic psychologists isn’t out there solving crimes or treating patients, but instead most spend their time understanding criminals and their behavior to better help law enforcement and corrections in disciplining and rehabilitating criminals and the communities their actions affect.
These universities’ masters programs give interested students who have already completed their undergraduate degree a chance to learn professionally from renowned faculty and the most advanced research. Most programs last around two years and are completed with a capstone or thesis.
Get Online Degree Information for Forensic Psychology Master’s Programs
The Best Online Forensic Psychology Master’s Programs
Ranking Methodology
This Best Online Forensic Psychology Master’s Programs ranking was created using Successful Student’s ranking algorithm. This algorithm uses the following data points to calculate a school’s ranking placement:
- Retention rate
- Desirability (number of applicants)
- Percentage of students who are fully online
- In-district average tuition for full time graduates
- In-state average graduate tuition
- Academic influence
University of California, Irvine
Irvine, California
The online Master’s of Legal and Forensic Psychology program at UC Irvine takes a truly interdisciplinary approach with collaboration between the Departments of Psychological Science and Criminology, Law and Society.
All students focus on the intersection of psychology and legal issues. They will learn how to incorporate psychological principles, theories, and their own research and that of world class forensic psychologists to better understand and implement legal processes.
The program at UC Irvine, aside from offering top rate classes from renown professors allowing students to pursue their own research and service opportunities, also works collaboratively with the Center for Psychology and Law.
Credit requirements: 48 credit hours
Selection of required courses:
- Legal Reasoning
- Memory and the Law
- Violence and Psychopathy
Law and Behavior: Compliance and Enforcement
Students complete the program with a capstone
Accreditation: The entirety of the University of California Irvine is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.
Oklahoma State University
Stillwater, Oklahoma
Oklahoma State University’s Forensic Science program offers an online Master’s degree in Forensic Psychology that can be earned over two years.
The first year of courses may be taken entirely online (or on campus), with the second year including both online courses and potential on-campus lab courses.
The program benefits early professionals who are hoping to advance in death scene professions. The program does not result in licensure for clinical practice in psychology.
Credit requirements: 39 credit hours
Selection of required courses:
- Questioned Document Examination
- Theory and Practice of Forensic Handwriting Examination
- Fire Dynamics in Forensic Investigations
- Computer Fire Modeling
- Ethics in Forensic Leadership
Students complete the program with a capstone in Forensic Psychology. The program requires thesis defense and publication, but with permission from the track lead, some students with special interests can pursue a non-thesis degree.
Accreditation: Oklahoma State University’s forensic sciences department is accredited The American Academy of Forensic Sciences
Southern New Hampshire University
Hooksett, NH
Southern New Hampshire University’s online Forensic Psychology program lets students with different career goals, whether they aim to end up in the courts or in correctional facilities, learn cutting-edge theories and apply them hands-on over their degree progress.
While you earn your online MS in Psychology with a concentration in Forensic Psychology at Southern New Hampshire, you earn your psychology degree with an in-depth understanding of research, analysis and assessment of human behavior in your area of interest.
While this program does not lead to licensure or certification in Forensic Psychology, it does prepare students for competitive admission to doctoral-level coursework or other graduate programs.
Credit requirements: 36 credit hours
Selection of required courses:
- Cognitive Processes
- Ethical Practice in Psychology
- Intersection of Law and Psychology
- Theories of Personality
Online instruction style: Asynchronous aspects
Program length: 15 months or more
Start dates: Five graduate terms start dates throughout the year.
Admissions and transfer credit information:
A bachelor’s degree in psychology or a bachelor’s degree in another field with coursework in introduction to Psychology, Social Science statistics and research methods in Social Science are required for admission.
No GRE or GMAT required for admission.
Applicants must submit official transcripts from previous institutions and their online application.
Accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE) as well as several other accrediting bodies.
The Chicago School of Professional Psychology
Chicago, Illinois
The Chicago School of Professional Psychology offers two tracks for their online Master of Arts in Forensic Psychology, the Professional Counselor Licensure Track and the Non-Licensure Track.
The M.A. in Forensic Psychology: Professional Counselor Licensure Track online program helps students learn how to use counseling and psychology ideas to improve mental health and the justice system. This online degree program can prepare graduates to be mental health counselors in forensic settings. It can also help them be prepared for doctoral programs.
Expert teachers will guide students in learning important skills, like how to understand different theories, diagnose problems, assess risks, provide treatments, manage risks, and do research.
These abilities will help graduates work with different groups of people in many forensic settings.
For example, they could work in domains like forensic mental health counseling, corrections, law enforcement, governmental organizations, child welfare agencies, specialized treatment units, or rehabilitation facilities.
The Master’s in Forensic Psychology: Non-Licensure Track online program teaches students how psychology applies to the juvenile, civil, and criminal justice systems.
Practitioner faculty will teach Master’s in Forensic Psychology online students different topics, like understanding criminal behavior, preventing crimes by assessing risks, laws related to mental health, research in forensic psychology, treating drug and alcohol addiction, dealing with trauma and crises, and working with legal, law enforcement, and social service agencies in the community.
This program’s schedule is flexible.
Nova Southeastern University
Davie, Florida
The College of Psychology at Nova Southeastern University offers several career-focused undergraduate and graduate study options including online programs and graduate degrees that lead to licensure or certification.
The online Forensic Psychology Master’s degree provides students with a solid foundation in psychological principles and how to operate within the legal system of an investigation.
The non-clinical curriculum benefits working professionals seeking to advance in the field.
The degree does not lead to certification or licensure.
Credit requirements: 36 credit hours
Selection of Forensic Psychology courses:
- Introduction to Forensic Psychological Science
- Psychopathology, Personality Disorders, and Behavioral Interventions in Forensic Settings
- Methods and Tools of Psychological & Violence Risk Assessment
- Evaluation, Methodology, and Psychological Research
- Ethical Concerns and Multicultural Issues in Forensic Psychology
- Best Practices and Policies for the Mentally Ill in the Criminal Justice System
Students complete the degree with a three-credit capstone course.
Accreditation: Nova Southeastern University (NSU) has accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACS-COC)
Arizona State University-West
New College of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences
Glendale, Arizona
Arizona State University’s New College of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences provides numerous undergraduate and graduate level degree programs.
Students in the Master of Science in Forensic Psychology degree program learn to apply digital forensics to real-world scenarios.
Through the study of criminal law, criminal behavior, the diagnosis/treatment of mental health disorders, and legal decision making, the program shows how mental health issues and human behavior relate to crime and the legal system.
The program benefits professionals seeking to advance their careers or personal interests, or pursue graduate studies. The program does not result in licensure for clinical practice.
Credit requirements: 33 credit hours
Selection of required courses:
- Advanced Legal Psychology
- Advanced Forensic Psychology
- Advanced Correctional Psychology
- Psychopathology
Students complete the program with a capstone in Forensic Psychology.
Accreditation: The Higher Learning Commission provides Arizona State University with accreditation.
Liberty University
Lynchburg, VA
Liberty University, an evangelical liberal arts institution, provides students a wide array of online undergraduate and graduate degree programs and certificates.
The online Masters of Science in Criminal Justice degree with a Forensic Psychology specialization provides students the knowledge and skills to comprehend the laws and legal practices of the criminal justice system while applying their knowledge of social-cognitive psychology.
Students study subjects and trends in criminal justice, the fundamentals of forensic psychology, the rehabilitation and reintegration of offenders into society, and human resources management in criminal justice organizations.
Credit requirements: 36
A selection of courses:
- Fundamentals of Forensic Psychology
- Psychology and the Legal System
- Crisis Intervention in Law Enforcement
- Rehabilitation and Reintegration of Offenders
- Criminal Psychology
Students in the online program create a theses proposal.
Admissions and transfer credit information: Candidates need a regionally or nationally accredited Bachelor’s degree with a minimum of a 3.0 GPA. Candidates need to submit an admission application and unofficial college transcripts.
Online students can transfer in up to 50 percent of a Master’s degree total content.
Liberty University has accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
University of North Dakota
Grand Forks, ND
The School of Graduate Studies at the University of North Dakota provides more than 120 degree and certificate programs.
The online Master’s degree in Forensic Psychology provides students with a solid foundation in psychological theories and their application to the justice system.
The curriculum requires one on-campus visit for students to participate in a two-week Capstone Experience. As part of the experience students meet professors they have worked with online, network with local professionals who deal with forensic issues, and present a cumulative research paper.
Credit requirements: 30 credit hours
Selection of required courses:
- Advance Social Psychology
- Psychology and Law
- Behavior Pathology
- Diversity Psychology
Students complete the program with the Capstone Experience Project
Learning enrollment options: Part-time only
Program length: Two years
Start dates: fall and spring
Admissions and transfer credit information: Students must have a previous undergraduate degree from an accredited institution with a minimum GPA of 2.75.
The admissions team does not require GRE scores for this program.
Students must submit official transcripts for evaluation.
Accreditation: The Higher Learning Commission provides the University of North Dakota with accreditation.
Northcentral University
La Jolla, California
Northcentral University offers the online Master of Science in Forensic Psychology degree.
This Master’s in Forensic Psychology program offers two specializations: Threat Assessment and Management Specialization, and General Forensic Psychology Specialization.
Courses start weekly. The classes are taught by professors who hold doctorates, and Northcentral offers individual engagement for all students.
The Threat Assessment and Management Specialization teaches students how to use psychology to aid the criminal justice system and protection of citizens.
Those who work in threat assessment and management will gather information through interviews, make threat assessments and understand risk factors, apply profiling techniques, and learn team processes within the contexts of threats such as sexual, school, workplace and other forms of violence.
This program doesn’t lead to licensure, but does teach the most important aspects for taking the exam to be a Certified Threat Manager with the Association of Threat Assessment Professionals.
Students take 10 online courses (30 credit hours), and can finish in 16 months. 7 courses are major courses, and 3 are electives.
University of Louisiana Monroe
Monroe, LA
The College of Business and Social Sciences offers numerous career-oriented degrees to undergraduate and graduate students.
Students in the online Master of Science in Psychology program have the option of a Forensic Psychology concentration.
Students in this Forensic Psychology degree gain a thorough understanding of field relevant information including how deviant behavior manifests, how to properly use tests and assessment measures, and counseling strategies as they apply to criminal justice.
The curriculum does not require a thesis, however students interested in pursuing doctoral level studies should strongly consider completing a thesis.
Credit requirements: 36 credit hours
Selection of required courses:
- Psychopathology
- Psychological Assessment
- Proseminar in Criminal Justice
- Advanced Theories of Crime and Delinquency
- Counseling in Criminal Justice
- Sociology of Law
- Minorities, Crime, and Criminal Justice
Start dates: fall and spring
Accreditation: University of Louisiana at Monroe received accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Capella University
Minneapolis, MN
The Harold Able School of Psychology offers a wide variety of programs from certifications through doctoral level studies.
The online Master’s in Psychology degree with a Forensic Psychology concentration provides students knowledge and experience with trends in criminal behavior, research and evidence-based practices, and psychology and the law.
Credit requirements: 55 quarter credits
Selection of required courses:
- Introduction to Psychology
- Tests and Measurements
- Psychology and the Law
- Issues and Trends in Forensic Practice
- Techniques of Forensic Practice
- Inferential Statistics
- Ethics and Multicultural Issues in Psychology
Learning enrollment options: Full-time or part-time
Program length: Six 10-week quarters
Start dates: Fall
Admissions and transfer credit information: Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution with a GPA average of 2.3 or above. Admissions also require official bachelor’s transcripts.
Admissions accepts up to 15 credit hours for transfer students.
Accreditation: The Higher Learning Commission provides Capella University with accreditation.
Walden University
Minneapolis, MN
Walden University’s online Forensic Psychology program lets students focus on their specific interests inside the field to tailor their coursework with top-rate professors with specializations in those areas. They offer 11 specializations in various areas of Forensic Psychology that let you enhance your real-world knowledge alongside the general program coursework.
Specialization options:
- Criminal Justice Self-Designed
- Cybercrimes
- Family Violence
- General Program
- Legal Issues in Forensic Psychology
- Military
- Police Psychology
- Self-Designed
- Sex Offender Behavior
- Terrorism
- Victimology
During the MS in Forensic Psychology degree program at Walden, students can earn up to half of the necessary coursework credits for their PhD program in Forensic Psychology.
Credit requirements: 33 credit hours
Selection of core courses:
- Vicarious Trauma and Compassion Fatigue
- Understanding Violence, Risk, and Threat Assessment
- Psychological Aspect of Cyber Crimes
- Victimology
- Criminal Investigative Analysis and Profiling
Students in the online master’s degree program will learn how to apply psychological theories to forensic psychology settings.
Accreditation: Walden has been accredited by The Higher Learning Commission.
Online Forensic Psychology Masters
Forensic psychology programs teach students how psychological research is conducted, critical thinking, and advanced social psychology and advanced psychological concepts. Students will learn about criminal justice systems and criminal psychology in master’s in forensic psychology programs.
These overarching subjects teach the psychology behind understanding interpersonal relationships, how to understand crime victims, deal with child abuse victims, and those with a behavioral disorder. Contexts such as cultural psychology and educational background can give insights into the criminal mind.
Where can graduates with a Master’s in Forensic Psychology degree work?
Online Master’s in Forensic Psychology graduates can work in various jobs related to forensic psychology. Completing a doctoral degree program is required to work as a Forensic Psychologist. A master’s in Forensic Psychology program is a good master’s degree for those who want further education in a doctoral degree in Forensic Psychology.
Forensic Psychology jobs:
Graduates with a master’s in Forensic Psychology degree can take a variety of career paths. Forensic Psychology options:
Forensic Science technician: technicians can earn $61,930 per year for an average median salary, according to career data at the BLS.
Police Officer: Police officers work in law enforcement agencies. The average median salary is $66,020, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Social and Community Service Managers earn an average median salary of $74,000, according to occupational data of the BLS.
Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists earn an average salary of $60,250, according to the BLS.
For mental health oriented career paths, it would be better to get a Master’s in Counseling. A mental health counselor primarily works at mental health centers or in private practices.
Forensic Psychologists
To become a Forensic Psychologist, a finishing a doctorate degree program is required.
In the legal and criminal justice system, they apply their knowledge of psychology to assist judges, attorneys, and other legal professionals in comprehending the psychological facets of a given case, and work in victim advocacy.
As expert witnesses, they frequently provide testimony in court. Usually, they specialize in one of three areas: family, civil, or criminal casework. The criminal justice system relies heavily on forensic psychology professionals and their expertise.
Is getting a master’s in forensic psychology worth it?
Getting an online master’s in Forensic Psychology is worth it if you want to become a Forensic Psychologist. But even outside of that, it can be worth it in terms of lifetime earnings, depending on the career paths taken. The criminal justice system needs Forensic psychology expertise to understand criminal behavior and the validity behind things such as eyewitness testimony.
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