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Earn Your Forensic Psychology Degree
- $320/credit
- Accredited by NECHE
- Transfer up to 90 credits
- Study the intersection of psychology and law
- Earn a data literacy certificate
- No application fee or SAT/ACT scores required
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Forensic Psychology Degree Concentration Overview
Pursue a career that combines psychology with fascinating aspects of criminal investigation and law by earning your Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Psychology with a concentration in Forensic Psychology.
Enjoy working with others and want to use your skills in a job that intersects with the legal field or justice system? Our online forensic psychology degree was created to help you go further. First, you'll work on building transferable skills. Then, you'll tailor your degree with in-depth forensic psychology courses, giving you a specialty that you can use to your advantage in your job search.
The forensic psychology concentration instills critical thinking and research skills while providing an overview of the field and the workings of the criminal mind. You’ll gain an understanding of anti-social behavior and what influences it, the ways in which crime impacts individuals and society and the interplay between psychology and the justice system.
And, with 39 free electives, and the added bonus of a 12-credit embedded certificate in Data Literacy in Psychology, this program is both industry relevant and transfer-friendly.
The study of psychology can be personally and professionally rewarding. Among the many concentrations in the field you can find diverse opportunities to learn about how people interact with one another in relationships, in the workplace and more.
Upon graduating, you'll be prepared to either pursue careers spanning a broad range of fields or continue your studies by enrolling in a graduate psychology program.
What You'll Learn
- The interaction between abnormal psychology and criminal behavior
- How to assess crime’s impact on individuals, groups and society
- How to analyze psychosocial factors behind anti-social and criminal acts
- Social psychology's application in the courtroom
- Witness testimony and its role within the courtroom
- How to use psychological concepts to understand criminal behavior
- Research, statistical analysis and communication skills
How You'll Learn
At SNHU, you'll get support from day 1 to graduation and beyond. And with no set class times, 24/7 access to the online classroom, and helpful learning resources along the way, you'll have everything you need to reach your goals.
8 Types of Psychology with Real-World Perspective
The study of psychology can be personally and professionally rewarding. Among the many concentrations in the field you can find diverse opportunities to learn about how people interact with one another in relationships, in the workplace and more.
Career Outlook
With a bachelor's in forensic psychology, you'll have a thorough understanding of psychological principles and how to apply them to issues in the real world. While you might have your sights set on a job that involves investigating crimes or profiling criminals, it's important to know that earning your online forensic psychology degree can lead you down any number of career paths.
“It teaches us more than how psychology and the law work together," said Erica Durbin, a psychology instructor at SNHU. "It teaches us to think critically about our decisions and opinions.”
This concentration could help prepare you for a wide range of job opportunities in government, criminal justice and the private sector, including:
Crime Analyst
Conduct surveys and research interviews to compile statistical data that informs legal decisions or policy recommendations. You'll work with law enforcement to devise crime reduction strategies.
Victim Advocate
Assist crime victims by providing emotional support, helping them through legal processes, connecting them to resources and helping them fill out paperwork. You will likely accompany victims and their families during court proceedings.
Jury Consultant
While being called for jury duty is a chance happening, being selected to serve on a trial is not. As a jury consultant, you'll research candidates' backgrounds, create profiles and assist in interviewing prospective jurors to determine those best fit for the jury.
Police Officer
Your understanding of criminal minds could be perfectly suited for a career in the police force. While you'll likely be in a patrol position for a few years before being recommended for promotion, your background in forensic psychology will be helpful in making your way to becoming a detective.
Social and Community Service Managers
In this role, you'll coordinate and supervise programs that support public well-being. You'll likely be responsible for overseeing a program's administrative elements, analyzing data to determine a program's effectiveness and managing outreach activities.
Note: Additional training, certification or experience may be required for certain jobs. A concentration in forensic psychology does not lead to any type of licensure or certification and does not qualify you for positions that require additional education and licensure, like a forensic psychologist.
Whether you use the skills you learn immediately in a career or continue on to a graduate program is completely up to you.
"Since enrolling at SNHU, I have developed the confidence needed to move forward with my career aspirations," said Tara Parker '21, a graduate from the forensic psychology concentration. "I feel that I have a better chance of achieving my goals and using my degree to better myself and my community."
Job Growth and Salary
Depending on the path you're interested in taking with your forensic psychology degree, projections for job growth and salary vary.
Job Growth
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the need for police and detectives is expected to grow 3% through 2031, while the need for social and community service managers is expected to grow 12%.1
Salary
In 2021, police and detectives earned a median annual salary of $66,020 and social and community service managers earned $74,000.1
Start Your Journey Toward an Online Forensic Psychology Degree Concentration
Why SNHU for Your Forensic Psychology Degree Concentration
Admission Requirements
How to Apply
Courses to Prepare You for Your Career
Dr. Michelle Hill, executive director of social sciences
“The forensic psychology concentration provides students with grounding in the foundations of forensic psychology with opportunities to practice and apply their learning.”
Courses & Curriculum
The online forensic psychology degree is based in a solid liberal arts foundation that provides a well-rounded education to support your study of psychology and beyond. This online psychology degreeconcentration will challenge you to apply your research skills, technical knowledge and critical thinking abilities to a variety of issues in the legal system.
Throughout the forensic psychology program, you'll strengthen your skills in research and assessment, criminal psychology, social psychology and theories of personality. As part of the concentration, you'll be required to take the following forensic psychology courses:
- Forensic Psychology: Learn how to apply psychology to issues within the criminal justice system. Emphasizing the social psychology of the courtroom, course topics cover adolescent violence, witness interviews, recovered memories, expert testimony and factors affecting the credibility of witnesses, victims and offenders.
- Criminal Psychology: Understand crime from a psychological perspective. Focusing on the psychosocial environment's influence on offenders, this course gives you the insight to analyze the motives behind criminal behavior.
To finish your concentration, you'll also be able to choose from classes like:
- Social Psychology: Learn how people's thoughts, feelings and actions are influenced by their interactions with others. You'll discuss the effects prejudice, conformity, attraction and violence have on society.
- Sociology of Crime & Violence: Applying both legal and sociological lenses, you'll study law and the criminal justice system, the nature and causation of criminal acts and the different kinds of crime.
- Counseling Process and Techniques: Study the history and philosophy of specific occupations in psychology, sociology and human services. Using different theoretical perspectives, you'll apply your newly gained knowledge to role-play situations.
You'll also have the option to explore your career goals and put your skills to use through experiential learning and internship opportunities. Providing real-world knowledge, these experiences can help better prepare you for the competitive job market.
Tara Parker '21, a graduate of the forensic psychology concentration, said she was able to take advantage of the experiential learning opportunities in her program.
"I have been able to obtain the real-world skills to [assist me in] running my own private psychology practice while also working alongside the criminal justice system," said Parker.
Your forensic psychology courses are taught by professionals with first-hand experience. Whether they've offered expert testimony during trials, performed forensic evaluations for court systems or committed their careers to statistical research, your instructors will share real-world experience drawn from their work in forensic psychology.
"The knowledge and experience the instructors brought to the virtual environment was beyond amazing," said Kimberly Custodio '18 '21G, who went on to graduate with her master's from SNHU after finishing her bachelor's degree. "The experience and knowledge the instructors provide are difficult to find anywhere else."
If you, too, would like to take your education further, SNHU offers a master's in psychology program with several specializations to choose from – including an online master's in forensic psychologyconcentration.
Curriculum Requirements & Resources
General Education
All bachelor's students are required to take general education classes. Through these foundation, exploration and integration courses, students learn to think critically, creatively and collaboratively, giving you the edge employers are looking for.
Technology Resources
We provide cloud-based virtual environments in some courses to give you access to the technology you need for your degree – and your career. Learn more about our virtual environments.
Earn Math Credits
Save time and tuition with our Pathways to Math Success assessments. Depending on your scores, you could earn up to 12 math credits – the equivalent of 4 courses – toward your degree for less than $50 per assessment. For additional information, or to register for a Pathways to Math Success assessment, contact your admission counselor or academic advisor today.
View Full Curriculum in the Catalog |
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BA in Psychology - Forensic Psychology |
Courses May Include | ||
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BA in Psychology Forensic Psychology | ||
PSY 108 | Introduction to Psychology | In this course, students will explore the complexities of the human mind by examining the science behind why we think, feel, and do. Students will experience the evolution of psychology through the early schools of thought, major branches, and core theories that guide contemporary perspectives. As students consider the broad influence of psychology on their perceptions, emotions, and everyday choices, they will acknowledge the idea that, in the human experience, "psychology is everywhere." |
PSY 205 | Forensic Psychology | Students will learn how psychology, as a science and a practice, applies to questions and issues relating to law and the legal system. Emphasis will be placed on witness testimony and the social psychology of the courtroom. Topics will include recovered memories, adolescent violence and murder, strategies for interviewing witnesses, expert testimony, and factors influencing the credibility of witnesses, victims and offenders. |
PSY 223 | Research I: Statistics for Psychology | How do psychologists organize, summarize, and interpret information? Students in this course study applications of statistical methods in psychological research and practice. The emphasis of the course is on the conceptual understanding of statistics so that students can read and conduct psychological research; those skills will be applied to students' original projects in Research II: Scientific Investigations. Computation of tests will be conducted on the computer. Students will build upon statistical knowledge and develop an in-depth conceptual and practical understanding of hypothesis testing, tests of significance, standardization, correlation, and analysis of variance in a wide variety of psychological uses. Students will learn the theory of statistical decisions, practical application of statistical software, and how to analyze journal articles. This course typically should be completed during the first semester of the sophomore year. |
PSY 224 | Research II: Scientific Investigations | Students in this course will develop an understanding a variety of research methods, including experimental, survey, correlation and case-history techniques. They will become aware of the strengths and weaknesses of each method and understand when each method is best used. Writing intensive course. |
PSY 310 | Criminal Psychology | This course will provide the student with insights about crime from a psychological perspective. Specifically, the course will focus on how a criminal offender is influenced by multiple systems within the psychosocial environment. This course examines and evaluates the role of psychological factors in understanding the motives behind antisocial acts. Throughout the course, students will acquire knowledge and practice in the application of psychological methods to understanding criminal behavior. |
PSY 444 | Senior Seminar in Psychology (Capstone) | This capstone course integrates previous classroom and practical experience with a focus on current issues in psychology. This course likely will include cross-cultural aspects of psychology, ethics, recent career trends in psychology and other topics dictated by current events in psychology. Coverage may change over time, but the basic focus on integrating the past and anticipating the future for psychology seniors will be the major concern. Writing Intensive Course. |
Total Credits: 120 |
Minimum Hardware Requirements
University Accreditation
Southern New Hampshire University is a private, nonprofit institution accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)as well as several other accrediting bodies.
Tuition & Fees
As a private, nonprofit university, we’re committed to making college more accessible by making it more affordable. That’s why we offer some of the lowest online tuition rates in the nation.
We also offer financial aid packages to those who qualify, plus a 30% tuition discount for U.S. service members, both full and part time, and the spouses of those on active duty.
Online Undergraduate Programs | Per Course | Per Credit Hour | Annual Cost for 30 credits |
---|---|---|---|
Degree/Certificates | $960 | $320 | $9,600 |
Degree/Certificates (U.S. service members, both full and part time, and the spouses of those on active duty)* | $675 | $225 | $6,750 |
Tuition Rates are subject to change and are reviewed annually.*Note: students receiving this rate are not eligible for additional discounts.
Additional CostsNo Application Fee, $150 Graduation Fee, Course Materials ($ varies by course)
Frequently Asked Questions
What university is best for forensic psychology?
What can I do with a BA in Forensic Psychology?
How do I become a forensic psychologist?
What is the difference between forensic psychology and criminal psychology?
How long is a forensic psychology degree?
Is forensic psychology a science?
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References
Sources & Citations (1, 2)
FAQs
How difficult is forensic psychology? ›
A career as a forensic psychologist is a challenging one, but it offers many intrinsic benefits. In this profession, individuals exercise compassion toward all parties while remaining objective. Achieving this balance can be difficult and requires extensive training, but the outcome is rewarding.
Does the FBI hire forensic psychologists? ›Forensic psychologists have the option to use their skills in the service of the public good. For example, they may work as special agents for the FBI. The Bureau is actively seeking individuals with a background in counseling or psychology, according to the FBI's website.
How competitive is forensic psychology? ›Forensic psychologists with only a Master's often compete for the relatively small number of job openings that don't require a PhD, but, if you have or plan on getting a doctorate in psychology, chances are your job prospects as a forensic psychologist will remain high for the foreseeable future.
How useful is a forensic psychology degree? ›Essentially, forensic psychologists play a vital role in applying psychology to the law. In doing so, forensic psychologists offer insights into past crimes to help prevent future crimes. In civil cases, they can influence legal outcomes for families in cases such as insurance claims or custody disputes.
What job is closest to Criminal Minds? ›“Of all the TV crime shows, Criminal Minds comes closest to depicting real forensic psychologists—if you take away the private jet,” said Dr. Beyer.
Do forensic psychologists go to crime scenes? ›Crime Scene & Laboratory Setting: Some forensic psychologists play an important role in criminal investigations, and spend their time analyzing crime scenes and evidence to conclude a criminal's actions, and/or how they committed a crime.
What degree do FBI profilers have? ›To become an FBI criminal profiler, you'll need the following: A bachelor's degree in either psychology or criminal justice. A master's or doctorate degree, preferably in a psychology-related field.
What is the fastest growing branch of forensic psychology? ›Answer and Explanation: The fastest-growing branch of forensic psychology is considered correctional psychology. Correctional psychology is the application of psychological theory and treatments to the currently incarcerated population.
What GPA do you need to be a forensic psychologist? ›Most graduate programs in forensic psychology look for a high score on the GRE, a GPA of 3.5 or higher, and volunteer or paid experience in the field. All psychology programs require you to do an internship.
What state has the highest demand for forensic psychologists? ›...
4. Illinois.
Is a bachelor's in forensic psychology worth it? ›
A graduate degree in forensic psychology may provide a wealth of useful background knowledge for a career that works with criminal offenders in the legal system or deals with mental health concerns in that context. This degree can also be useful for someone who intends to pursue a psychology career in the legal field.
What are the negatives of being a forensic psychologist? ›- As a forensic psychologist, you can often work long hours. ...
- It can take time and commitment to become a forensic psychologist. ...
- It can be an incredibly dangerous and stressful career as you will have to work with criminals, whilst working to meet deadlines and ensuring that all decisions and procedures are fair.
- knowledge of psychology.
- counselling skills including active listening and a non-judgemental approach.
- analytical thinking skills.
- the ability to understand people's reactions.
- sensitivity and understanding.
- the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure.
Examples of forensic psychology include: Threat assessments for schools. Child custody evaluations. Competency evaluations of the elderly or criminal defendants.
What does a day in the life of a forensic psychologist look like? ›Daily tasks often involve conducting interviews, making observations, and performing research. Working at the intersection of psychology and law, forensic psychologists typically specialize in criminal, civil, or family cases, and frequently provide expert witness testimony in court.
What job is similar to FBI? ›In reality, if you are interested becoming a Special Agent for the FBI; then you should also consider similar 1811 Special Agent (Criminal Investigator) positions within the ATF, DEA, DSS, HSI, USPIS, OSI, etc.
What are the 4 roles of a forensic psychologist? ›The roles assigned to the Forensic Psychologist are the clinical role, the experimental role, the actuarial role, and the advisory role. The clinical role focuses primarily upon a scientific determination of the mental state of the offender.
Which is better criminal psychology or forensic psychology? ›Criminal psychologists are more focused, looking only at the perpetrator and aspects of the crime itself. Forensic psychologists do not profile criminal suspects or create behavioral profiles of perpetrators. Those tasks fall to criminal psychologists.
How to get a job like criminal minds? ›- Get a high school diploma. ...
- Earn a bachelor's degree. ...
- Complete a law enforcement training academy. ...
- Work in an investigative field. ...
- Pursue an advanced degree. ...
- Join professional organizations.
1. Criminal Justice. When you are looking for the best majors for FBI special agents, you may consider a criminal justice degree. A degree in criminal justice teaches you the basics you need to understand the processes associated with the prosecution and conviction of a crime.
How many years of college do you need to be a FBI agent? ›
Applicants must have at least a four-year degree from an accredited institution, but they may also have master's degrees or doctoral degrees in disciplines related to their intended career track within the FBI.
How old are most forensic psychologists? ›The average age of an employed forensic psychologist is 46 years old.
What are three 3 subspecialties of forensic psychology? ›For our purposes, forensic psychology will be divided into five subspecialties: (1) police psychology, (2) psychology of crime and delinquency, (3) victimology and victim services, (4) legal psychology, and (5) correctional psychology.
What is the easiest field of psychology? ›At the graduate level, the master's degree in industrial-organizational psychology is probably the easiest to attain. As doctorates go, the Doctor of Psychology (Psy. D.) degree may be easier than the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.
Can I become a forensic psychologist without a degree? ›Entry requirements
Forensic psychologists will usually have completed an accredited undergraduate degree in psychology. From there, they need to complete a Master's degree in forensic psychology approved by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).
A BA opens up opportunities in fields like criminal justice and social work, while a BS prepares learners for more research-based, clinical professions. Many psychology bachelor's degrees prepare students for specializations, like organizational psychology and forensic psychology.
Is forensic psychology a BA or BS? ›Most forensic psychologists will complete an undergraduate degree in psychology (typically a bachelor of science or BS), but that is not necessarily required. Students should meet all prerequisites for their graduate program of choice during their undergraduate program.
What is the lowest salary for a forensic psychologist? ›While ZipRecruiter is seeing annual salaries as high as $187,000 and as low as $22,000, the majority of Entry Level Forensic Psychologist salaries currently range between $41,000 (25th percentile) to $99,000 (75th percentile) with top earners (90th percentile) making $139,500 annually across the United States.
Who has the best forensic psychology program? ›- Washington University in St Louis. ...
- University of North Dakota. ...
- Kean University. ...
- Florida Institute of Technology. ...
- Arizona State University Digital Immersion. ...
- Saint Elizabeth University. ...
- Northcentral University. ...
- CUNY Graduate School and University Center. New York, NY.
A PhD is more focused on research, statistics, and on larger trends in the field. If your goal is to assess and treat patients in a forensic setting, you might want to consider a PsyD degree. If you're interested in applying psychology to legal theory or working in academic settings, a PhD is a better choice.
Is there a high demand for forensic psychologists? ›
The job outlook for certain niches within psychology and forensic psychology is expected to grow by 14% through 2026, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
How much do forensic psychologists make in the FBI? ›Forensic Psychologists working for the FBI can earn a salary range of $99,000 and $129,000 per year. Supervisory Criminal Profilers can earn $140,000 per year.
Does forensic psychology have a future? ›A degree in Forensic psychology can open an array of career opportunities. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment opportunities for Psychologists are expected to grow by almost 14% by 2026.
What personality should a forensic psychologist have? ›Forensic psychologists tend to be predominantly investigative individuals, which means that they are quite inquisitive and curious people that often like to spend time alone with their thoughts.
What kind of training is necessary for forensic psychology? ›To become a licensed forensic psychologist, you must earn a doctorate. This can take 7-10 years. However, you can study forensic psychology at the bachelor's or master's level and work in another field, with just 4-6 years of formal education.
What are the perks of being a forensic psychologist? ›The most popular benefits and perks among forensic psychologists, as reported by Payscale, are 401(k), paid sick leave, life and disability insurance, paid vacation, reimbursement for education, tuition, training, and certification, malpractice and liability insurance, and company pension plans.
Is forensic psychology easy? ›You might develop the inability to sleep, body aches and pains, and even experience bouts of depression and anxiety as a result of this very difficult and challenging line of work. This is not work for the faint of heart, either. Many forensic psychologists work on court cases and appear as expert witnesses.
Is it hard being a forensic psychologist? ›Becoming successful in this field is not easy. However, for those with the energy, stamina, and critical thinking skills, it can be a rewarding occupation. A few tips: Apply for forensics-related internships, such as at forensic hospitals, correctional facilities, and community mental health settings.
How stressful is being a forensic psychologist? ›High Potential for Stress
The overwhelming amount of work and the emotionally-charged type of cases that forensic psychologists are often involved with can cause quite a lot of stress.
Because the field of forensic psychology deals with crime and the law, a career in this field can often become taxing and emotionally charged. It's a necessary skill for forensics psychologists to separate themselves from these difficult moments with their clients so that they can carry out their work successfully.
Is forensics hard to learn? ›
Is forensic science hard to study? Studying forensic science will be tough as there are many skills you need to succeed such as strong problem solving. It is a degree that will keep you on your toes and offer a welcome challenge.
Does forensic psychology have math? ›The course content for a B.S. in psychology focuses on math and science, with copious time dedicated to statistics, research, and lab classes.
What is the best major for forensic psychology? ›Individuals pursuing forensic psychology careers should make sure that their education is focused on psychology, criminology, and forensics. There are a couple of different ways to pursue this type of education. First, a student can earn a bachelor's degree in psychology with a focus on criminology or criminal justice.
Does forensics require a lot of math? ›Like many scientific tests and experiments, forensic investigation often requires mathematic calculations. Take a wide range of college-level math courses, including calculus, statistics, and laboratory measurements and techniques.
How do I get into forensics without a degree? ›You can earn a certificate in Crime Scene Investigation by completing courses in the Crime Scene Investigation Certificate program through the University of California, Riverside. This certificate program can be taken by students with or without a college degree.
Are forensics in high demand? ›By illustration, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS 2022) shows that between 2021 and 2031, careers in forensic science tech are projected to grow 11 percent; private investigation and detective work, 6 percent; and information security, an astonishing 35 percent nationally.
Is forensic psychology BS or BA? ›With a BA in psychology with a concentration in forensic psychology, you can pursue some specific careers in criminal justice or mental health. If you want to work as a psychologist, you'll need to complete an advanced degree. Becoming a forensic psychologist requires a doctoral-level education.
Do you need a BA in forensic psychology? ›How many years does it take to become a forensic psychologist? It takes 10-15 years of education and training. You must earn a bachelor's degree, then typically a master's degree, followed by a doctorate. You must also work under the supervision of a licensed psychologist before earning your license.
What is the day in life of a forensic psychologist? ›Daily tasks often involve conducting interviews, making observations, and performing research. Working at the intersection of psychology and law, forensic psychologists typically specialize in criminal, civil, or family cases, and frequently provide expert witness testimony in court.
What qualities do you need to be a forensic psychologist? ›- knowledge of psychology.
- counselling skills including active listening and a non-judgemental approach.
- analytical thinking skills.
- the ability to understand people's reactions.
- sensitivity and understanding.
- the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure.