Is an Online Degree in Forensic Psychology Right
for You?
Obtaining your BA degree in Forensic Psychology online is a flexible way to pursue a career that combines psychology, criminal investigation and law. If you enjoy working with others and dealing with clients or criminal offenders to help solve challenging criminal investigations, this may be the right field for you. The Forensic Psychology online program from Southern New Hampshire University provides the research skills, knowledge of psychology and critical-thinking ability to deal with a variety of issues facing the legal system.
Why a Forensic Psychology Degree Online
at SNHU?
As a private, nonprofit, accredited university, SNHU focuses on ensuring you gain the skills you need to succeed. Whether you enroll in the Forensic Psychology degree program online or at any of our five regional campuses, you will benefit from an SNHU education:
- High-quality instruction from our Psychology Department Faculty.
- Quality education at one of the most affordable tuition rates available
- Choose how you want to learn; online, campus-based or a combination of both.
- A traditional university, with over 80 years history of educating successful professionals.
- 24/7/365 access to class- attend when it is most convenient for you.
- An opportunity to join the Psych Club. High-achieving students are invited to join Psi Chi, the Psychology International Honor Society.
Forensic Psychology Degree Learning Outcomes:
Our students receive a solid liberal arts foundation for a well-rounded education that supports your study of forensic psychology. Tailor your program with electives focused on your area of interest. Our online format provides a small class environment, enabling our professional faculty to give you the personalized attention you need. Become well-versed in major psychological concepts, human behavior and research methods through our four-year forensic psychology degree online program.
Students study theories such as:
- How psychologists serve as expert witnesses and advisors in courts.
- Motives and patterns of criminal behavior.
- Definitions for insanity.
- Treatment, rehabilitation and assessments used in corrections and in private practice.
- Eyewitness memory.
- Criminal profiling.
Forensic Psychology students will focus on:
Knowledge and Field Application
- Understand human thought and behavioral concepts, theoretical perspectives, empirical findings, trends and ethical issues
- Demonstrate psychological knowledge, skills and values during experiential learning experiences
- Develop insight into behaviors and mental processes and apply effective management and improvement strategies
Research
- Apply fundamental research methods in psychology: research design, data analysis and interpretation
- Optimize research activities using the latest technologies
- Use major research methodologies to critique, analyze and interpret results of psychological research
Critical Thinking and Communication
- Use critical and creative thinking, skeptical inquiry and the scientific approach to assess and address behavioral and mental process issues
- Demonstrate critical thinking abilities gained through experience with the scientific method and research methodologies
- Display effective written and oral communication skills, correct use of APA format and acquire extensive computer skills
Multi-Cultural Awareness and Understanding
- Understand how to work with diverse populations and how culture influences individual beliefs and values
Forensic Psychology Careers
Forensic Psychology degree graduates have a strong liberal arts background to pursue graduate studies in psychology or other social sciences. Graduates have a thorough understanding of psychological principles and how to apply them to social and organizational issues in the real world.
The knowledge you obtain in the Forensic Psychology degree program can be applied in a number of careers in government, criminal justice and the private sector.
Transfer of Credit
If you are a student who wants to transfer to SNHU or simply want to finish what you’ve started, we try to make transferring as easy as possible. We will accept up to 90 transferred academic credits and we automatically complete an official credit evaluation as part of the application review process.
Online Forensic Psychology Degree Curriculum
Pursuing a degree in Forensic Psychology online or through one of our campuses ensures the curriculum provides a solid foundation in Psychology principles and practices.
Required Core Courses
School of Arts and Sciences Required Courses
BIO-210: Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology
Discussion comparison of the principles of mammalian form and function Includes molecular and cellular mechanisms of major processes such as muscle contraction neural transmission and signal transduction and examines the structure and function of the 11 organ systems of the human body Laboratory exercises BIO 210L to follow lecture topics
MAT-240: Applied Statistics
This is a fundamental course in the application of statistics In this course students will learn to apply statistical techniques to a variety of applications in business and the social sciences Students will learn how to solve statistical problems by hand and through the use of computer software Topics will include probability distribution functions sampling distributions estimation hypothesis testing and linear regression
Psychology Degree Major Courses
PSY-108: Introduction to Psychology
This course is an introduction to various areas of psychology including scientific investigation motivation personality intelligence behavioral deviation perception learning and human development It provides a basis for further study in related areas Offered every semester
PSY-211: Lifespan Development
Students in this course study physical and psychological development from the prenatal period to death Patterns of human development also are considered Offered every year
Prerequisites:
PSY-108
PSY-215: Psychology of Abnormal Behavior
This course offers students an opportunity to better understand human behavior It also studies the similarities and differences between normal and abnormal reactions to environmental stimuli Offered every year
Prerequisites:
PSY-108
PSY-216: Psychology of Personality
Personality is studied using theories applications and individual and group patterns of behavior formation Offered every year
Prerequisites:
PSY-108
PSY-224: Research II Scientific Investigations
Students in this course will develop an understanding a variety of research methods including experimental survey co relational and case history techniques They will become aware of the strengths and weaknesses of each method and understand when each method is best used Offered every year Writing Intensive Course
Prerequisites:
PSY-108
PSY-305: Cognitive Psychology
Cognitive psychology focuses on mental processes we explore research and theory relating to memory thinking problem solving and language Applied topics will include learning skills to help improve memory accommodating memory language disorders such as Alzheimer s disease and dyslexia and understanding how brain scanning techniques can be used to understand memory
Prerequisites:
PSY-108
PSY-444: Senior Seminar in Psychology
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 Offered every year Writing Intensive Course
Prerequisites:
PSY-211
PSY ELE - Students may select four Psychology electives
Psychology Degree Major Courses - No Concentration
Select One of the Following:
JUS-101: Introduction to Criminal Justice
This course covers the nature scope and impact of crime in the United States independent and interdependent operations and procedures of police courts and corrections and introductory theories of crime and delinquency The course introduces the justice model in a systematic way whereby students delve into the numerous components of the justice system including law enforcement legal and judicial process and correctional operations Career opportunities will be fully covered throughout the course
JUS-325: Law Justice and Family
A full fledged review of the justice system s response to the establishment and maintenance of family in the American culture How the family is defined its heritage of rights and protections and the differentiated roles of parent and child are central considerations Further review includes a look at family dissolution divorce custody and support disputes and the ongoing problems of visitation The emerging problems of spousal and child abuse will be keenly analyzed and how the legal systems provide protection from these abuses will be closely scrutinized
JUS-468: Crimes Against Children
This is a course that examines criminal activity targeted against children The course will focus on the physical and sexual abuse neglect kidnapping and sexual exploitation of children Students will explore methods of identifying victims investigating offenders and court presentation of criminal cases Special attention is focused on the dynamics of the relationship between victims and offenders and how that is a factor in the investigation and prosecution of criminal acts
JUS-485: Forensic Law
An interdisciplinary course covering law criminal justice science and technological issues in the evidentiary arena Coverage in the course provides a broad based assessment of expert witnesses microanalysis pathological evidence admissibility and investigatory practice ballistics fingerprints vascar radar and photographic techniques Contrasted with criminalistics subject matter of this course is primarily evidentiary More particularly the course will delve into the rules of evidence which guide the admissibility of forensic evidence in a court of law Examination includes threshold tests for reliability and admissibility qualification of witnesses competent to testify scientific rigor required for admission and case law determinations on the use and abuse of scientific evidence
SCI-215: Contemporary Health
This course exposes students to the three major dimensions of health physical emotional and social Health nutrition substance abuse infectious diseases and stress management are among the issues that will be discussed Students will learn to intelligently relate health knowledge to the social issues of our day For students on program plans catalogs prior to 2012 13 this course does not satisfy the university core science requirement
SOC-213: Sociology of Social Problems
Students in this course analyze contemporary social problems in America and other societies Issues include economic limitations class and poverty race and ethnic relations sexism ageism and environmental and population concerns Offered every year
Prerequisites:
SOC-112
SOC-317: Sociology of the Family
This course is a sociological examination of the family institution in America and other societies Traditional and nontraditional family patterns are studied to provide students with a structure for understanding sex marriage family and kinship systems Offered every other year
Prerequisites:
SOC-112
SOC-320: Sociology of Gender
The examination of gender in society Students will explore the social construction of gender gender identity development sexuality and power and other aspects concerning the meanings and implications of being male female or transgendered
Prerequisites:
SOC-112
SOC-326: Sociology of Deviant Behavior
This course is a sociological analysis of the nature cause and societal reactions to deviant behavior including mental illness suicide drug and alcohol addiction and sexual deviation Offered every other year
Prerequisites:
SOC-112
SOC-328: Sociology of Aging
Students in this course examine the basic social processes and problems of aging Social and psychological issues and issues involved with death and dying are discussed Offered every other year
Prerequisites:
SOC-112
Forensic Psychology Concentration Courses
The following courses should be taken in place of the psychology electives:
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
Prerequisites:
PSY-108
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
Prerequisites:
PSY-108
Select Two of the Following:
PSY-257: Social Psychology
Social psychology is an interesting dynamic study of how people s thoughts feelings and actions are affected by others Issues discussed include prejudice conformity interpersonal attraction and violence The scientific methods of studying such phenomena are emphasized Offered as needed
Prerequisites:
PSY-108
PSY-315: Counseling Process and Techniques
This course examines the history and philosophy of specific helping professions in the fields of psychology sociology and human services Several broad theoretical perspectives will be studied and applied in role play situations Offered as needed
Prerequisites:
PSY-108
SOC-324: Sociology of Crime and Violence
The course examines the nature causes and consequences of crime and violence to a society Applying a legal and sociological perspective the course examines 1 the structure of the law and the criminal justice system 2 the nature and causation of criminal behavior and 3 the various types of crime and criminality
Prerequisites:
SOC-112
SNHU's Online degree programs meet the needs of today's students while ensuring educational quality and real-world applicability. Contact us to learn more about the SNHU difference.