Online Master's Degree MS in Psychology Forensic Psychology

Become a Vital Part of Our Justice System with a Master's in Forensic Psychology Online

Forensic psychology is the intersection of psychology and law. With a Master of Science in Psychology with a concentration in Forensic Psychology online from SNHU, you'll gain an in-depth understanding of the field by practicing and applying leading-edge theories and methods. You'll also explore the responsibilities involved in the field and how they relate to legal, ethical and diversity issues.

Whether you consult with the courts as an evaluator of defendants and victims or work with correctional facilities, law offices, police departments or the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the forensic psychology program prepares you to crack the criminal mind, help victims and play a key role in the criminal justice system.

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The Psychology of Preparing for a Penalty Kick

A goalkeeper has 0.08 of a second to make a decision on how to stop a penalty kick, Dr. Michael Hendery, SNHU’s psychology chairman, told former MLS player Calen Carr. Years of training plus split-second information processing can help pull out a win.

See Yourself Succeed in Forensic Psychology

By choosing the concentration in forensic psychology, you'll enhance your master's in psychology degree - and your professional skill set. This specialized program will provide insight into your role as a forensic psychology professional by allowing you to practice and apply forensic psychological theories and methods. Forensic psychology concentration graduates possess knowledge and skills in research, analysis, assessment, human behavior and working effectively with others.

As a private, nonprofit university, SNHU has one mission – to help you see yourself succeed. The benefits of earning your master’s in psychology at SNHU include:

Affordability. Take advantage of some of the most affordable tuition rates in the nation
Convenience. Attend class when it’s convenient for you – online education means 24/7 access
Efficiency and flexibility. Complete your graduate degree in as few as 15 months, with two courses per 10-week term
Expert instruction. Learn from instructors with relevant, real-world experience
Minimal requirements. No GRE or GMAT required for admission
Networking. Tap into our nationwide network of alumni for internship and career opportunities
Student support. Count on the ongoing support of dedicated academic and career advisors specialized in your area of study

Admission Requirements

Acceptance decisions are made on a rolling basis throughout the year for our 5 graduate terms. You can apply at any time and get a decision within days of submitting all required materials. To apply, simply contact an admission counselor, who can help you explore financial options. Your counselor can also walk you through the application process, which involves completing a graduate application ($40 fee) and providing undergraduate transcripts.

The online master’s in Psychology degree program requires individuals to have earned a BA/BS in Psychology or a bachelor’s degree in another discipline and have completed undergraduate coursework in the following three areas:

Introduction to Psychology
Social science statistics
Research methods in a social science

For those who do not meet the minimum requirements, the following courses may be required:

PSY-500: Foundations of Psychology
SCS-501: Foundations in Statistics
SCS-502: Foundations in Research Methods

This program does not prepare you for state licensure.

Career Outlook

Forensic psychology professionals work in family, civil or criminal courts, analyzing criminal behavior and providing evaluations of defendants and victims. Others work in correctional facilities, law offices, police departments and colleges - even in the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

While this graduate program does not lead to licensure or certification in forensic psychology, it will prepare you to pursue doctoral-level coursework or other graduate programs.

Curriculum

With the forensic psychology concentration, you'll learn to apply psychology research and theories to real-world contexts. Courses are taught by instructors with professional credentials and relevant, real-world experience.

View Full Curriculum in the Catalog

MS in Psychology - Forensic Psychology

Courses May Include

PSY 510 Research Methods in Psychology I

In this course, students will learn methods commonly used in psychological research. As part of these methods, students learn how to gather and analyze data across a variety of settings. These newly acquired skills and techniques will be reinforced by application to a contemporary issue in psychology.

PSY 520 Research Methods in Psychology II

In this course, students will develop a deeper understanding of the research process and data analysis by applying skills learned in Research Methods in Psychology I and building on them with new skills and techniques including advanced research design and use/interpretation of higher-level statistical tests (ANOVA, regression, etc.). These newly acquired skills and techniques will be reinforced by application to a contemporary issue in psychology.

PSY 530 Social Psychology

The focus of this course is on contemporary social psychology issues and research related to people's interactions with the environment, technology, and society, as well as classic studies and theories in the field-including those related to conformity, obedience, identity, and attitudes that remain relevant. Students will evaluate the perspectives, relevancy, and usefulness of social psychology to real world issues and problems.

PSY 540 Cognitive Processes

Students will investigate topics in cognitive psychology, including memory, language, attention, learning, and decision-making. Students will evaluate the perspectives, relevancy, and usefulness of cognitive psychology to real world issues and problems.

PSY 550 Measurement and Assessment

Learn and apply psychometric techniques commonly used in psychology. Explore measurement techniques and strategies used in the development and administration of psychological tests and assessments. Analyze and assess test and assessment results. Examine the ethical issues related to test and assessment administration and interpretation.

PSY 560 Theories of Personality

This course will emphasize contemporary theories, research, and approaches in personality psychology, connecting these to classic theorists such as Freud as well as other historical traditions and perspectives. The past and present impact of these theories within the ever-changing field of psychology will be explored, as well as the impact they have on culturally diverse clients and special populations.

PSY 570 Ethical Practice in Psychology

This course provides a comprehensive overview of the principles of ethical practice within the field of psychology. Topics include experimentation, confidentiality, respect, resolving ethical dilemmas, professional standards of conduct, and the psychology of ethical behavior.

PSY 790 Capstone in Psychology

This capstone course is the culminating experience for the M.S. in Psychology program. The aim of the capstone is to assess students' ability to synthesize and integrate the knowledge and skills they have developed throughout their coursework, rather than introducing new concepts. This course is structured to support student success in fulfilling program requirements.

PSY 545 Forensic Psychology

This course provides candidates with foundational knowledge of the forensic psychology field, including its historical roots and current trends with a focus on the evolution of practical and research based approaches in clinical settings. Candidates will also explore specific forensic psychology specialty areas and how the roles and responsibilities unfold related to legal, ethical, and diversity issues. Students must have completed 18 credits in their program to enroll in this course.

PSY 622 Assessment for Forensic Psychology

This course introduces candidates to topics in forensic assessment, including historical context, relevant theories, techniques, tools, and procedures. Candidates will analyze criminal justice, family and child custodial law, and pathology-based case study based data sets using contemporary assessment approaches to gain practical insights. Candidates will be required to consider ethical, multicultural, and age-based variables while interpreting case-based results.

PSY 624 Intersection of Law and Psychology

This course focuses on the crossroads at which the legal system and psychology meet. The forensic psychologist's roles and challenges within the legal system will be covered as well as ethical dilemmas. Candidates will explore how psychologists can impact court proceedings with respect to providing expert testimony and determining mental states of the witnesses or the accused. Candidates will also review U.S. Supreme Court cases that influence current policies that impact the mental and physical well-being of incarcerated persons.

PSY 626 Psychology in the Courtroom

This course is a seminar in which candidates will synthesize their learning from the three previous concentration courses to gain a full understanding of the forensic psychologist's roles as trial consultant, jury selection, and assessing eyewitness account integrity in the courtroom. Students will demonstrate mastery of concentration content through a comprehensive project.

Total Credits: 36

Program Outcomes

Adapt psychological theories and methods for their appropriate and effective application in forensic psychology settings
Evaluate the impact of the law on the field of forensic psychology and the roles of a forensic psychologist
Advocate for and extends psychology's role and responsibility in promoting agency and the psychological well-being of individuals, communities, and organizations
Adapt to shifting demands and ill-structured problems by critically evaluating the relevance, priority, and appropriateness of various information and potential courses of action
Design, conduct, and evaluate research through the lens of its potential to advance knowledge in psychology as well as the psychological well-being of individuals, communities, and organizations
Integrate psychological theories, methods, and research to generate new knowledge and promote agency and the psychological well-being of individuals, communities, and organizations
Incorporate empathy, reflectivity, and an appreciation for collaboration and diversity of perspectives into efforts to promote agency and the psychological well-being of individuals, communities, and organizations
Protect the integrity and professional responsibility of psychology through the demonstration of ethical comportment in all aspects of the profession

Tuition & Fees

Tuition rates for SNHU's online degree programs are among the lowest in the nation. We offer a 25% tuition discount for U.S. service members, both full and part time, and the spouses of those on active duty.

Online Graduate Programs	Per Course*	Per Credit Hour*
Degree/Certificates	$1,881	$627
Degree/Certificates (U.S. service members, both full and part time, and the spouses of those on active duty)	$1,410	$470

*Tuition Rates are subject to change and are reviewed Annually.

Additional Costs:
$40 Application Fee, $150 Graduation Fee, Course Materials ($ varies by course)

University Accreditation

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.