Forensic Psychology Online Master’s Concentration Within the MS in Psychology Program

Yes. In SNHU's Master of Science (MS) in Psychology with a concentration in Forensic Psychology program, you can learn the foundational theory of forensic psychology, including current trends and research, from anywhere you have access to the internet. An online program allows you to complete your degree at your own pace, day or night, while learning from leading specialists working in the field. Courses like Assessment for Forensic Psychology, Intersection of Law and Psychology, and Psychology in the Courtroom can all be taken successfully online.

For some, like Selma Zein '21G, learning online isn't just a luxury – it's the only practical way to reach her goals.

"I chose SNHU for several reasons, and with my degree almost in hand, I’m so glad I did," she said. "It’s such a well-run, smooth online program that allows you to study wherever you are in the world. For someone like me – who was working in Dubai – I was able to still get a great education from an accredited, wonderful university. The classes intrigued me with their titles alone, and I’ve genuinely enjoyed every class."

The format of the program gave Zein unprecedented confidence to pursue her passion.

"As someone in her 30s who thought I was done studying, I honestly did not feel like I was studying, rather just enjoying my days like I usually would," she said. "Watching true crime and interrogations, and instead of thinking about them to myself, I get to share my thoughts through professional writing with such a great diverse class and excellent professors for great feedback that helped me excel. My first phone call with SNHU was only a glimpse of how helpful, supportive and encouraging the staff and advisors are."

At Southern New Hampshire University, you can get started if you have a bachelor’s degree in psychology already, or if you have a bachelor’s degree in any other field and have completed coursework in several foundational courses. If you have not yet completed coursework or aren’t sure if the courses you have completed will count toward your MS in Psychology, we can help. First, your SNHU admission counselor can request transcripts for you. Then, our transfer support team can look them over and help you maximize your transfer credits. We also offer foundational courses for students who don't have a background in psychology or the social sciences.

While everyone’s pace is different, most people allow 2 years to complete an online master’s degree, as do the majority of campus graduate students. Many programs can be completed in less time, depending on the program and any transfer credits you may have.

At Southern New Hampshire University, you can complete your Master of Science (MS) in Psychology with a concentration in Forensic Psychology in as few as 15 months. One of the many benefits of online learning is that you decide when you can do the work. As long as you meet your deadlines, the entire degree can be completed on your schedule.

Emily Bevens '23G said she appreciated the flexibility of an online degree, which allowed her to complete her coursework each week when it was convenient for her. "I was able to work and coach field hockey outside of school as well," she said.

Bevens also noted the support she received from SNHU's faculty and staff throughout her program. "My advisor was there along the way, and my professors, right from the beginning, made their office hours available," she said.

In addition, our admission team will work with you so you can receive the maximum number of transfer credits possible from other degree programs to get you on your way.

With multiple areas to specialize in, there are many career paths available. The MS in Psychology with a concentration in Forensic Psychology allows you to build on a broad foundation of psychology and incorporate specialized coursework to learn how to apply psychology to the law and the courtroom.

Possible careers include, but are not limited to:

• Victim advocate
• Forensic case management
• Child forensic interviewer
• Social work investigator
• Police, corrections, probation and parole officers

Courses leading to a career in forensic psychology may include instruction on the judicial process, leadership and ethics, negotiation and even global terrorism. Research and theory of psychology and its applications are covered as well. This broad foundation provides the coursework you need to choose a career specialty.

While this degree will not qualify you for licensure, it does provide an excellent foundation for continuing your studies at the doctoral degree level or continuation to other graduate programs.

Learn more about possible career paths with a psychology degree.

This is an excellent question because the two fields do have a fair amount of overlap. Both are grounded in psychology research and theory, and both examine cognitive processes, ethics and social psychology. The main difference lies with forensic psychology focusing on the aftermath of crimes, whereas criminal psychology’s focus is on predicting what may lead to a crime in the first place.

A criminal psychologist may focus on creating a criminal profile and stopping crimes before they happen, while forensic psychologists are more likely to provide counseling to victims or assist a legal team in prosecution after a crime has occurred.

Both specializations require strong communication, critical thinking and analytical skills, as well as a strong interest in the law and the criminal justice system. Both can lead to long, rewarding careers that help make the world a little safer every day.

At colleges and universities, a concentration is a focused area of study within a larger degree program. A concentration generally replaces elective coursework in the major or discipline, allowing students to focus their studies on an area of interest.