Forensic Psychology Graduate Programs APA Accredited

It’s time for you to make the graduation choice that will set you up for your future. Choosing the right graduate school can make all the difference when you are trying to find work in the field of forensic psychology. And one factor in selecting the right program will be accreditation. CollegeLearners.com features accredited forensic psychology graduate programs accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA). The APA is the only organization in America recognized by law that can provide you with a degree in Psychology.

All you have  to do is read the article below to get access to the latest information on APA accredited masters programs, forensic psychology doctoral programs online. You will also find related posts on APA accredited masters programs, top forensic psychology PhD programs & forensic psychology doctoral programs online on Collegelearners.

forensic psychology masters programs online Career Guide

Your education in psychology is perhaps the largest investment you will make in your future. APA accreditation assures the public, licensing boards and potential employers that you have a sound educational and scientific foundation on which to build a successful career in psychology.

The professional practice of forensic psychology was recognized as a specialty by the American Psychological Association (APA) in 2001 within the larger areas of clinical psychology, counseling psychology, and school psychology.¹ Forensic psychology is tightly focused on treating psychological disorders in legal contexts, and forensic psychologists are often called upon by the judicial system to provide their professional psychological expertise, helping to evaluate and convict criminals and potentially prevent future crimes. The three primary areas of focused practice within the specialty of forensic psychology are clinical (diagnosis, treatment, testing, and ethics of mental disorders); forensic (forensic ethics and assessment of symptoms in a legal context); and legal (specific knowledge of the law and the legal system).

A degree in forensic psychology is typically an advanced one: a master’s degree, a Doctor of Psychology (PsyD), or a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD). To become licensed as a forensic psychologist in any state, a doctoral degree is required. Courses in forensic psychology may be offered in undergraduate programs, but these are most likely limited to elective courses that provide a broad overview of the specialty. Most students who enter a graduate program in forensic psychology will have an undergraduate degree in psychology (with a possible focus on criminal justice or a related field) or in criminal justice or criminology (with a possible focus on psychology). Graduates of programs in forensic psychology might seek jobs in the fields of homeland security, correctional systems, law enforcement, or social services for offenders and victims.

Quick Facts

• There are 51 colleges and universities with forensic psychology programs.²
• 3 schools offer a certificate in forensic psychology.²
• No schools offer an associate’s degree in forensic psychology.²
• 21 schools offer a bachelor’s degree in forensic psychology.²
• 30 schools offer a master’s or advanced degree in forensic psychology.²

For not-for-profit colleges and universities.

Forensic Psychology Degree Requirements and CourseworkBest Value Schools with On-Campus Forensic Psychology ProgramsSelect Forensic Psychology Degree ProgramsForensic Psychologist Career InformationBecoming a Forensic PsychologistJob DescriptionSalary and Job OutlookAdditional ResourcesFrequently Asked QuestionsFIND SCHOOLS

Degree Requirements and Coursework

In a forensic psychology degree program, students will be exposed to coursework covering the psychopathology of criminals, the proper treatment of offenders, and the ethical interrogation of suspects. In these degree programs, students will learn about social psychology, human development, criminal justice and criminology, criminal psychology, and statistics. Because forensic psychology is already a specialization within the broad field of psychology, no further specializations (also known as concentrations, emphases, or specialties) are typically offered.

To enter a graduate-level forensic psychology program, students are typically required to have at least a 3.0 minimum GPA in their undergraduate program and take between two and six years of full-time study to complete, with master’s programs taking an average of two years and doctorate programs taking an average of four to six years. Sample coursework may include:

• Evaluation and Treatment of Offenders
• Evaluation and Treatment of Sex Offenders
• Family Systems and Family Treatment
• Interrogation and Interviewing
• Issues in Family Law
• Psychology of Violence
• Psychology and the Legal System
• Psychopathology
• Research, Theory, Design, and Methods
• Social Psychology
• Theories of Criminal Behavior
• Theories of Personality and Counseling

psyD forensic psychology programs

The table below represents the best value not-for-profit colleges and universities in the US with graduate forensic psychology programs. Of the programs offering forensic psychology studies, we only included the schools with a combination of an undergraduate graduation rate of 45% or above and an undergraduate net price below $20,000 per year. A higher graduation rate is usually an indicator of a school’s success, while a low net price is important since a graduate degree represents a significant investment for most students. We’ve also included other information about these schools, including percentage of faculty with tenure, and US News & World Report rankings.

School	Undergrad Degree(s)	Grad Degree(s)	US News National Rank3	Grad Rate2	% Tenured Faculty4	Net Price2
CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice	BA Forensic Psychology; BA/MA Forensic Psychology	MA Forensic Psychology; MA/JD Forensic Psychology and Law	NR	47%	27%	$4,891
University of North Dakota	Certificate Forensic Psychology	MA Forensic Psychology	#205 tie	54%	35%	$14,478
Missouri State University-Springfield	Certificate Forensic Child Psychology	Certificate Forensic Child Psychology	#111 tie	55%	34%	$15,173
Montclair State University	—	MA Forensic Psychology Concentration	#169 tie	65%	23%	$15,224
Kean University	BA Psychology: Forensic Psychology	MA Forensic Psychology	NR	49%	14%	$16,839

aPA accredited hybrid psyD programs

Traditional Master’s Programs

1. John Jay College of Criminal Justice

Since 1978, the John Jay College of Criminal Justice, which is part of the City University of New York (CUNY) system, has offered a Master of Arts in Forensic Psychology (MAFP). A minimum of 42 credits are required to earn the degree, which takes an average of two years to complete. The MAFP is designed to train practitioners to provide psychological services for the criminal justice system and to prepare students for doctoral study in the field. Applicants must score a minimum combined score of 297 on the GRE (the Psychology Subject GRE is not required) and have a minimum of 3.0 GPA in their undergraduate program. The curriculum focuses on how to understand, evaluate, and treat offenders and their victims. Students can choose between completing a thesis or completing an externship with a minimum of 300 hours in a psychological setting (under the supervision of a licensed psychologist or another approved trained mental health professional). A postgraduate certificate program in forensic psychology, as well as two combined degrees in forensic psychology and law (MA/JD), are also offered at the college.

2. Oklahoma State University

The Center for Health Sciences at Oklahoma State University (OSU) offers a Master of Science in Forensic Sciences (MSFS) degree that is accredited by the Forensic Science Education Programs Accreditation Commission of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences. The program requires students to take a total of 39 credits (many of which are offered online) and complete a research project, graduate seminars, and a comprehensive exam. The program takes full-time students two to three years to complete, and while the degree will not qualify graduates to be forensic psychologists, it gives students a good foundation to begin a career in the field. Courses in the program include Survey of Forensic Sciences; Ethics in Forensic Leadership; Molecular Biology for the Forensic Scientist; Advanced Forensic Toxicology; Forensic Accounting and Fraud Investigation; and Forensic Management and Organizational Development.

3. University of Denver

The University of Denver (DU) offers a Master of Arts in Forensic Psychology (MAFP), a program that has been offered since 1999 at the Graduate School of Professional Psychology, which has been accredited by the APA since 1979. The MAFP requires 90 credits to graduate, and the coursework typically takes students about two years of full-time study to complete. A minimum undergraduate GPA of 2.5 is required for admittance, as well as GRE scores. During their two years of study, students will learn how to apply psychological theory, knowledge, skills, and foundational and functional competencies to the civil and criminal justice systems. Courses include Interviewing and Theories of Psychotherapy; Issues in Forensic Psychology; Trauma and Crisis Intervention; and Socio-Cultural Issues in Forensic Psychology.

Traditional Doctoral Programs

John Jay College of Criminal Justice

The John Jay College of Criminal Justice and the Graduate Center, City University of New York (CUNY) jointly offer an APA-accredited Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Clinical Psychology that has been in existence since 2009 and focuses on proficiencies in clinical forensic applications. The program takes a median of five years for students to complete degree requirements, which consist of 90 credits, a comprehensive exam, a master’s thesis, and an empirical dissertation project. The PhD program is based on the Boulder (science-practitioner) model, placing an equal emphasis on research and professional practice competencies. In addition to regular coursework and a dissertation, students are required to complete a minimum of two years of supervised clinical practicum experience and take two doctoral examinations before graduating. Students admitted to the program pay no tuition, and, working as graduate assistants, receive a stipend and health insurance.

Sam Houston State University

Sam Houston State University (SHSU) offers a PhD program in Clinical Psychology with a strong emphasis on forensics. The first PhD in Clinical Psychology at SHSU was awarded in 2002. PhD students take courses ranging from Mental Health Law to Forensic Assessment and during their schooling will do forensic evaluations, consult on court cases, and participate in the treatment of forensic populations. Students in this program must complete 108 credit hours within six years. In addition to the coursework, students must take a comprehensive exam, complete an empirical master’s thesis, and write an empirical dissertation before graduating. There is no minimum GRE score or GPA required for admittance into the program. For the practicum requirement, students at Sam Houston State have worked in inpatient and residential settings, private practices, and correctional settings. Students in the program also provide services at the program’s Psychological Services Center serving community clients.

Online and Hybrid Programs

Arizona State University

At Arizona State University (ASU), students can earn a Master of Science (MS) in Forensic Psychology completely online. A total of 33 credit hours are required, which are spread over 11 classes; students spend 7.5 weeks on each class. The MS degree at ASU prepares graduates for advancement in their current careers or further graduate study through coursework in criminal law, behavior, the diagnosis of mental disorders, the treatment of mental disorders, and the legal system. Coursework includes Advanced Legal Psychology, Advanced Correctional Psychology, Psychopathology, Quantitative Analysis, and seminars in Criminal Justice as well as Courts and Sentencing. While ASU’s MS program does not qualify graduates for clinical practice, it can open up opportunities for students employed in law enforcement, corrections, mental health, or related fields. A bachelor’s degree in psychology, criminal justice, or another related field is required for admission and successful applicants must have at least a 3.0 cumulative GPA.

University of North Dakota

The University of North Dakota (UND) offers a Master of Arts in Forensic Psychology (MAFP) that is completely online, aside from one one-week culminating experience at the end of the program that takes place on the Grand Forks campus. Requiring 30 credits to graduate, the part-time program typically takes students a minimum of two years to complete, depending on their availability to take classes. UND’s MAFP gives graduates a solid foundation in advanced psychological concepts, theories, and statistical skills as well as a deep understanding of the role of forensics in the legal system. In addition, students will learn how to testify in court as expert witnesses, assist courts and state agencies with evaluations, and conduct focus groups to assist lawyers in trial preparation. The completion of this program will also prepare students for entry into a PhD or PsyD program. A minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or graduate GPA of 3.5 is required for entry, but no GRE scores are necessary for entrance.

Forensic Psychologist Career Information

How to Become a Forensic Psychologist

To become fully licensed as a forensic psychologist, you will need to pursue a doctoral degree (Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) or a PhD in Psychology) as the minimum educational requirement. You will also have to complete a certain number of hours (typically over a year or two) of supervised clinical experience in your field. All states also require licensed psychologists to pass the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP). The basic steps to become licensed as a forensic psychologist include:

1. Earn a bachelor’s degree and (optionally) a master’s degree in psychology or a related field.
2. Earn an accredited PsyD or PhD in Forensic Psychology.
3. Complete the supervised clinical experience required by your state.
4. Pass the required exam(s), including the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP).
5. Apply for and receive a forensic psychology license.
6. Begin practicing as a forensic psychologist.
7. Complete the continuing educational requirements in your state in order to keep your license current.

Job Description

The completion of a forensic psychology degree will open the door to a variety of job fields, including homeland security, the fields of law and law enforcement, correctional systems, and social services. Forensic psychologists may help determine whether a suspect suffers from mental illness and they may be involved in the treatment of criminals suffering from addiction. Forensic psychologists may also counsel children and minors who are suspected victims of abuse. They may spend their time writing reports, giving testimony, or treating patients. Prospective forensic psychologists should possess excellent critical thinking skills, science skills, strong writing and oral presentation skills, and a calm demeanor. Work hours for forensic psychologists can be long and grueling, especially in those weeks leading up to an important trial. According to the APA, forensic psychologists might expect to work eight- to 12-hour days, but they are usually well-compensated for their time.⁵

With a doctorate degree in forensic psychology graduates can pursue a postdoctoral specialization in forensics. While the job title of forensic psychologist requires a PhD or a PsyD in the field, master’s-level graduates in forensic psychology can still participate in the field, but in more supportive roles. Possible job titles include:

• Case manager
• Clinical and program director
• Criminal justice clinical specialist
• Correctional officer
• Criminal profiler
• Forensic clinician
• Forensic mental health liaison
• Forensic psychologist*
• Forensic treatment specialist
• Juvenile offender counselor
• Law enforcement advocate
• Rehabilitative counselor
• Victim advocate

*A doctoral degree is usually required for this job title.

Salary and Job Outlook

The outlook for forensic psychologists is good. Included under the umbrella of “other psychologists” by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), jobs in this field are expected to increase by 12% through the year 2028, equating to 210 new jobs added to the workforce each year.⁶ According to the APA, the field of forensic psychology is a young, growing specialty which offers high salaries, especially for those in private practice.¹ The BLS reports that “all other” psychologists earn an average of $98,230 per year, with the top-earning 10% earning $129,530 or more per year.⁷ It typically takes some years of earning experience before getting up to higher pay tiers.

Additional Resources

• APA’s American Psychology-Law Society (Division 41): This APA-affiliated organization offers a plethora of resources for students and graduates of forensic psychology programs, including a list of graduate programs, conferences, job listings, as well as pre- and postdoctoral employment opportunities.
• American Board of Forensic Psychology (ABFP): The ABFP offers board certification in forensic psychology to qualified applicants, as well access to as a directory of board-certified forensic psychologists.
• International Association for Correctional and Forensic Psychology (IACFP): The IACFP membership includes access to their monthly journal, quarterly newsletter, and 58 journals in criminology and psychology.

aPA accredited programs

The expertise of forensic psychologists is essential to the judicial system and to legal matters of all kinds, both civil and criminal. These specialists apply psychological principles to legal issues, serving as expert witnesses in criminal and civil cases, conducting psycho-legal evaluations, and working as trial consultants for law firms and the state.

Since the American Psychological Association (APA) recognized forensic psychology as a subspecialty of psychology in 2001, the field of study has grown rapidly in popularity.Grand Canyon UniversityB.S. or M.S. in Forensic Psychology

As new undergraduate and graduate programs continue to be developed, the nation’s schools of psychology continue to redefine and shape this field of study.

Forensic Psychology Education Info by State

• Alabama
• Alaska
• Arizona
• Arkansas
• California
• Colorado
• Connecticut
• Delaware
• District of Columbia
• Florida
• Georgia
• Hawaii
• Idaho
• Illinois
• Indiana
• Iowa
• Kansas
• Kentucky
• Louisiana
• Maine
• Maryland
• Massachusetts
• Michigan
• Minnesota
• Mississippi
• Missouri
• Montana
• Nebraska
• Nevada
• New Hampshire
• New Jersey
• New Mexico
• New York
• North Carolina
• North Dakota
• Ohio
• Oklahoma
• Oregon
• Pennsylvania
• Rhode Island
• South Carolina
• South Dakota
• Tennessee
• Texas
• Utah
• Vermont
• Virginia
• Washington
• West Virginia
• Wisconsin
• Wyoming

Bachelor’s Degrees in Forensic Psychology

Your introduction to psychology—and even forensic psychology—will occur at the undergraduate level.

A great number of colleges and universities across the country offer bachelor’s degrees in psychology. Undergraduate degree programs in psychology have foundation courses in the sciences or the liberal arts and are therefore structured as either Bachelor of Science (BS) or Bachelor of Arts (BA) programs.

Bachelor’s degrees in psychology generally include similar core courses, such as these:

• Research methods and statistics
• Introductory psychology
• Criminal behavior
• The court system
• Psychological psychology
• Abnormal psychology
• Ethics in criminal justice

Bachelor degrees in forensic psychology have a similar structure to psychology degrees; however, they may provide you with additional opportunities to take courses related to forensic psychology, such as these:

• Criminology
• Juvenile delinquency
• Child and adolescent development
• Adult development and aging
• Introduction to forensic psychology

The APA reports that only about 15 percent of graduate programs in psychology require an undergraduate psychology major, which means that you may choose to pursue other related degrees and still enter a graduate program in forensic psychology. Some of the popular options include bachelor’s degrees in criminal justice and criminology.

However, most graduate programs require the completion of at least 18 credits of basic coursework at the undergraduate level, such as statistics and research methods, so it is important to make sure you satisfy these requirements in your undergraduate program.

Master’s Degrees in Forensic Psychology

There are two options for continuing your education after completing a bachelor’s degree program. You can complete a terminal master’s degree, followed by a doctoral degree, or you can complete a combined master’s/doctoral degree.

Colleges and universities offering terminal master’s degrees in clinical psychology or forensic psychology often require a minimum undergraduate GPA and a minimum GRE score for admission. Other requirements may include an admission interview or essay.

The APA reports that a master’s degree in psychology is “increasingly valued” by doctoral programs in psychology. Research has shown that individuals who enter a doctoral program with a master’s degree are more likely to complete the program than those with a bachelor’s degree. In other words, you may experience greater success in your doctoral program and in your career by first completing a master’s degree instead of entering directly into a doctoral program.

Similar to bachelor’s degrees in psychology and forensic psychology, master’s degrees are structured as Master of Science (MS) or Master of Arts (MA) programs. Some of your degree options for master’s-level study include:

• Master of Arts/Master of Science in Clinical Psychology with a Forensic Science concentration
• Master of Arts/Master of Science in Forensic Psychology

Core courses in a master’s degree in psychology often include:

• Social science and the law
• Intermediate statistics in the social sciences
• Research design and methods
• Psychopathology

Further, a master’s degree allows you to explore the many topics and populations within forensic psychology, such as:

• Victimology
• Eyewitness identification
• Social psychology and the legal system
• Violence and aggression
• Psychology of criminal behavior
• Crisis intervention
• Ethical issues in forensic mental health
• Family violence and dispute

You can expect a terminal master’s degree to require about two years of graduate-level coursework and the completion of a thesis. Many forensic psychology students intent on pursuing careers in consulting or research enter the job market after the completion of their master’s degree.

aPA accredited doctoral programs

A doctoral degree is the final educational step to earning state licensure to practice as a clinical psychologist with a forensic specialization. Each doctoral program sets its own admission requirements; however, you can expect admission to be highly competitive, with schools taking your GPA, resume, GRE scores, professional references, and admission essay/interview into consideration.

The APA recommends that applicants apply to multiple programs and do what they can to stand out from other applicants, such as gain clinical experience and earn a solid GPA.

Some doctoral programs require the completion of a master’s degree for admission, while others allow students to enter with just a bachelor’s degree. You can expect your doctoral degree program to take about 5 to 7 years to complete.

The sequence of your doctoral education and training will depend on the type of degree you choose. Most programs require you to pass a comprehensive examination and write/defend a dissertation or other scholarly product. Further, you must complete a one-year internship as part of your doctoral study in the area of forensic psychology.

You will soon discover that doctoral degrees in clinical psychology or forensic psychology are structured as either PsyD or PhD programs. In general—although this is certainly not always the case—the difference between these programs is as follows:

• PhD Programs: Students interested in the production of new knowledge through scientific research usually apply to PhD programs. Doctoral programs that award a PhD focus on the areas of clinical research and scientific inquiry. They follow the traditional Scientist-Practitioner model, which trains students to become scientists and researchers.
• PsyD Programs: Students interested in the application of psychological science for service delivery at the individual or group level usually apply to PsyD programs. PsyD programs generally follow the Practitioner-Scholar model, which trains students to become skilled practitioners who apply knowledge to solve client problems.

However, it is important to recognize that some PhD programs offer training in providing psychological services and the production of new knowledge. It is therefore always in your best interest to research a number of doctoral programs to find the one that best fits your career goals as a forensic psychologist.

Just a few of the doctoral programs in forensic psychology include:

• PhD in Forensic Psychology
• PsyD in Forensic Psychology
• PsyD in Clinical Psychology with a forensic science concentration
• PhD in Clinical Psychology with a forensic specialization

You may also notice a number of joint degree programs; more specifically, JD/PhD and JD/PsyD programs. These programs provide students with the opportunity to pursue a law degree while also pursuing their doctoral degree in psychology.

Many doctoral programs in clinical psychology or forensic psychology also allow you to focus your doctoral studies on a specific population, such as adult, family, juvenile, inmate, offender, or victim.

The Value of APA Accreditation: What You Need to Know

According to the APA, accreditation serves as the mechanism for ensuring educational quality. For your undergraduate and master’s program, at the institutional level your state’s Board of Psychology will typically expect you to seek schools recognized by one of the six, regional accrediting bodies:

• Middle States Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools
• New England Association of Schools and Colleges
• North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, Higher Learning Commission
• Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
• Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
• Western Association of Schools and Colleges

However, at the doctoral level, the APA’s Commission on Accreditation (CoA) oversees program accreditation, and most states defer to the CoA when approving doctoral programs for state licensure.

The CoA, recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, accredits doctoral programs in clinical, counseling, and school psychology. It also accredits internship programs in professional psychology and postdoctoral residency programs in professional psychology.

The CoA requires all institutions with accredited doctoral programs to publish their internship placement success rate, an important aspect of doctoral programs.

The APA has a searchable database that allows you to locate doctoral programs, internships, and post-doctoral fellowships required to complete your education in forensic psychology.