Forensic psychology is a discipline at the intersection of psychology and the criminal justice system. With the Master of Science (MS) in Psychology degree with a concentration in Forensic Psychology from Southern New Hampshire University, you'll gain the knowledge to work within this dynamic field. A forensic psychology concentration prepares you to work within the criminal justice system, along with a wide range of social service organizations.

You'll learn valuable skills like critical thinking and research while you get an overview of the forensic psychology field and the inner workings of the criminal mind. The forensic psychology concentration also covers critical areas such as ethics and diversity. Although this program and concentration do not lead to licensure, it opens doors to careers in places such as the court system, legal offices, correctional facilities, police departments, and governmental agencies.

In the forensic psychology concentration, you'll learn how to:

- Adapt psychological theories and methods in forensic psychology settings

- Evaluate the impact of the law on the field of forensic psychology

- Understand the roles and duties of a forensic psychologist

See Yourself Succeed in Forensic Psychology Choosing a Master of Science with a concentration in Forensic Psychology adds value to your degree by giving you professional skills in an area with a wide range of career options. It also sets you up to make a difference for others with your understanding of what influences anti-social behavior and how crime impacts individuals and society. Our online format for this degree concentration allows you to participate in the coursework, while learning when it works best for you, without sacrificing collaboration and support. We also help you succeed with a variety of aids, including dedicated advisors, online tutoring, and a writing center. Additionally, the instructors who teach within the SNHU forensic psychology concentration love sharing their expertise with their students and come from a variety of backgrounds and life experiences within the forensic psychology field. With the forensic psychology concentration, you'll learn to apply psychology research and theories to real-world contexts.

By earning SNHU's forensic psychology degree, you'll gain competence in many areas, including the following:

- Familiarity with the ways in which psychological theories apply to criminal behavior and its effects on individuals and society

- Familiarity with commonly used assessment techniques in legal settings and the historical context behind them

- The ability to apply critical thinking skills to assess a variety of outcomes and determine an appropriate course of action

- An understanding of the ways in which forensic psychology professionals can influence legal proceedings

- Respect for diversity and the ability to view situations through an empathic lens

- The ability to apply appropriate professional ethics to various situations

- Knowledge of the role played by forensic psychology professionals

It's also important to note that the courses in this concentration are taught by instructors with professional credentials and relevant, real-world experience. In this concentration, you'll learn from knowledgeable instructors in courses such as:

- Forensic Psychology - This course provides you with a foundational knowledge of the forensic psychology field that you'll need as you move through the program. This includes its historical roots and current trends, with a focus on the evolution of practical and research-based approaches in clinical settings.

- Assessment for Forensic Psychology - This course introduces you to topics in forensic assessment, including historical context, relevant theories, techniques, tools, and procedures. Here, you'll use contemporary assessment approaches to gain practical insights on issues such as criminal justice and family and child custodial law. You will also be required to consider ethical, multicultural, and age-based variables while interpreting case-based results.

- Intersection of Law and Psychology - This course focuses on where the legal system and psychology meet. It covers the forensic psychologist's role and their challenges and dilemmas within the legal system. In this course, you'll explore to what degree psychologists can impact court proceedings by providing expert testimony and by determining the mental states of the witnesses or the accused. You'll also review current legal rulings that could have an impact on the well-being of incarcerated persons.

- Psychology in the Courtroom - In this seminar, you'll apply your learnings from the three previous concentration courses to gain a full understanding of the forensic psychologist's role in the courtroom. You will also demonstrate detailed mastery of the concentration content through a comprehensive project.

"Assessment for Forensic Psychology really stood out to me," said Kimberly Custodio '18 '21G. "We got to evaluate cases that varied from drug abuse to child abuse and write recommendation reports. It felt like I was receiving hands-on training without sitting in a classroom. This class was highly enjoyable, and I learned a lot while going through it."

Custodio, who balanced her degree program with her career as a sailor in the U.S. Navy, also noted how impactful her instructors were in helping her find success.

"I don't think I can praise the instructors enough," she said.

"The knowledge and experience [they] brought to the virtual environment was beyond amazing." Dr. Vanessa Holtgrave, an adjunct faculty member who teaches courses in this concentration, says, I teach PSY-626-Psychology in the Courtroom, which is a complex and exceptionally interesting course about expert witness testimony and admissibility of evidence. Students from various backgrounds (law enforcement, public defenders, and victim advocates) have found this class to be both thought-provoking and essential to the program. After deep-diving in this concentration, it's safe to say you'll be prepared for whichever path you choose, be it furthering your education even more, or pursuing one of the many available career options in the forensic psychology field."

Dr. Holtgrave adds, As a forensic psychologist, "I believe it is important that our students be given a comprehensive educational experience by competent professionals during their time in the program. This ensures that students are knowledgeable about the breadth and depth of forensic psychology and the careers that are available."

Expanding access to quality higher education means removing the barriers that may stand between you and your degree. That's why you can apply at any time and get a decision within days of submitting all required materials:

- Completed Application

- Undergraduate transcripts, which we can retrieve for you by submitting a Transcript Request Form Acceptance decisions are made on a rolling basis throughout the year for our 5 graduate terms.

If you don't have a background in psychology or a related field, you may need to take up to 3 foundation courses. For those who do not meet the minimum requirements, the following courses may be required:

- Foundations of Psychology

- Foundations in Statistics

- Foundations in Research Methods

Note: This program does not prepare you for state licensure.

$150 Graduation Fee, Course Materials ($ varies by course)