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Forensic Psychology Degree Online BA in Criminal Psychology Concentration

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Register By: June 24 Classes Start: June 26

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

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.

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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

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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.

Tara Parker with the text Tara ParkerWhether 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.

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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

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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

Courses to Prepare You for Your Career

Michelle HillDr. 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 degree concentration 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.

Kimberly Custodio with the text Kimberly Custodio

"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 psychology concentration.

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.

University Accreditation

New England Commission of Higher Education 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 Costs No Application Fee, $150 Graduation Fee, Course Materials ($ varies by course)

Frequently Asked Questions

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