Forensic Psychology, MS
The Master of Science degree in Forensic Psychology is designed to prepare graduate students and professionals for leadership positions in various agencies and organizations in corrections, criminal justice, human services, and the courts. The program integrates the fundamental principles of psychology and law. The curriculum reflects these core principles and ensures that students will develop theoretical and practical foundations to support outstanding critical analysis, statistical interpretation, and assessment-building skills. Students who graduate with an MS in Forensic Psychology will be qualified to pursue meaningful careers in the public and private sectors in social services agencies, the courts, juvenile facilities, correctional facilities, police departments, hospitals, mental health centers, and research agencies.
The MS in Forensic Psychology is not a licensure program. States and countries vary in their licensure requirements at the master's level. Full independent work as a psychologist in the field requires a doctorate and independent licensure to practice. These additional credentials are needed to independently practice as a forensic psychologist.
Graduates are expected to demonstrate the following competencies:
- Apply forensic-based knowledge and concepts to a wide range of issues affecting the forensic population and surrounding communities. Such knowledge may be applied in the courts, corrections, human services agencies, and law enforcement agencies.
- Demonstrate leadership through assessment strategies, core competences, relevant skills and ethical decision-making related to the intersection of forensic psychology and criminal justice.
- Conduct effective research and recommend sound policies that integrate an interdisciplinary approach to addressing fundamental economic and social issues facing the forensic population and victims of crime.
Requirements1
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Core Courses | ||
| CJ-615 | Criminological Theory | 3 |
| CJ-620 | Research Methods and Data Analysis | 3 |
| CJ-640 | Perspective on Drugs, Alcohol, and the Criminal Justice System | 3 |
| CJ-718 | Psychology of Criminal Behavior | 3 |
| CJ-765 | Child Development, Trauma, and the Criminal Justice System | 3 |
| CJ-775 | Counseling Psychology & Human Services | 3 |
| CJ-782 | Progressive Studies in Criminal Law | 3 |
| FP-600 | Forensic Mental Health in the Courts | 3 |
| FP-650 | The Psychopathology of Serial Offenders: Understanding Behavioral Patterns | 3 |
| FP-675 | The Trauma of Domestic and Intimate Partner Violence - Assessment, Intervention, Treatment | 3 |
| FP-700 | Forensics: Psychological and Neurobehavioral Assessment Tools | 3 |
| FP-750 | Forensics Practicum and Seminar | 3 |
| or FP-801 | Master's Thesis I | |
| FP-800 | Integrative Capstone Seminar in Forensic Psychology | 3 |
| or FP-802 | Master's Thesis II | |
| KG-604 | Graduate Research & Critical Analysis | 3 |
| Total Credits | 42 | |
- 1
KG-583 Statistics Foundations may be required.
Recommended Sequence
| Semester 1 | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| FP-600 | Forensic Mental Health in the Courts | 3 |
| KG-604 | Graduate Research & Critical Analysis | 3 |
| Credits | 6 | |
| Semester 2 | ||
| CJ-615 | Criminological Theory | 3 |
| CJ-620 | Research Methods and Data Analysis | 3 |
| CJ-718 | Psychology of Criminal Behavior | 3 |
| Credits | 9 | |
| Semester 3 | ||
| CJ-640 | Perspective on Drugs, Alcohol, and the Criminal Justice System | 3 |
| FP-650 | The Psychopathology of Serial Offenders: Understanding Behavioral Patterns | 3 |
| FP-700 | Forensics: Psychological and Neurobehavioral Assessment Tools | 3 |
| Credits | 9 | |
| Semester 4 | ||
| CJ-765 | Child Development, Trauma, and the Criminal Justice System | 3 |
| FP-675 | The Trauma of Domestic and Intimate Partner Violence - Assessment, Intervention, Treatment | 3 |
| FP-750 or FP-801 |
Forensics Practicum and Seminar or Master's Thesis I |
3 |
| Credits | 9 | |
| Semester 5 | ||
| CJ-775 | Counseling Psychology & Human Services | 3 |
| CJ-782 | Progressive Studies in Criminal Law | 3 |
| FP-800 or FP-802 |
Integrative Capstone Seminar in Forensic Psychology or Master's Thesis II |
3 |
| Credits | 9 | |
| Total Credits | 42 | |