If you would like to use psychology in a field that studies legal procedures, crime and justice, then forensic psychology may be just right for you. One of the things forensic psychologists work on is criminal profiling. However, you may also work with victims or directly with offenders, be involved in child custody hearings, and you could be an expert witness in various cases. As a forensic psychologist, no two days at work will ever be the same. To get started, however, you will require the right level of education. More and more people are now choosing to study online, as the world is getting more virtual. It is very important that you study with a school that is fully accredited, so that you are actually able to start practicing in your field and keep up with your continuous professional education.
Let’s take a look at five accredited online forensic psychology degree programs.
To learn more about this list, please visit our page: Selection Criteria
Chicago School of Professional Psychology
Online M.A. in Forensic Psychology
At the Chicago School of Professional Psychology, various graduate level degree programs have been offered since it was started in 1979. It has received Higher Learning Commission Accreditation. The online degree program offers topics such as ethical and professional issues, mental health law, psychopathology, substance abuse evaluation and treatment and diversity in forensic psychology to name but a few. One of the things that truly sets it apart, however, is that it is possible to complete the full MA in just 20 months, making it one of the shortest options out there.
Tuition
$982 for each credit hour.
Florida Institute of Technology
BA in Applied Psychology/Forensic Psychology
Florida Institute of Technology is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. This regional accreditation means that you should ensure this degree is valid in your state if you reside outside of Florida. The BA in Applied Psychology with a concentration in Forensic Psychology is available 100% online for the best in convenience and flexibility. While this program’s foundation explores the principles of applied psychology, there is an emphasis on the intersection of forensic psychology and law enforcement/legal system.
Tuition
Tuition is $510 per credit hour.
Saint Leo University Online
Master of Science in Criminal Justice – Forensic Psychology
This program has been developed and is still run by Dr. Robert J Diemer. He is one of the leading names in forensic psychology, having been working in the field for over 30 years. The curriculum of the course is specifically designed for government officials and first responders, those people who deal with actual scenes of the crimes in other words. Some of the topics that are covered include an introduction to forensic psychology, ethical issues in the administration of the criminal justice system, courtroom psychology, the psychopathology of criminal behavior, forensic and medico legal death investigation, preventing terrorist attacks, and many other topics. This gives a good idea of the type of work that can be done by someone who completes the degree.
Tuition
Each credit hour costs $422.
Southern New Hampshire University
BA Psychology: Forensic Psychology Online
Southern New Hampshire University is a popular non-profit but private school. It has received accreditation in the state, which means that if you are an out of state student, you will have to check with your own licensing board whether or not your education will be valid. The course focuses particularly strongly on criminal profiling. As such, you will learn things such as eyewitness memory and its reliability, patterns often seen in criminal behavior, and what the definition of insanity is. This course is particularly interesting for those who like to focus on serial killings and the like.
Tuition
Each credit hour currently costs $320, regardless of whether a student is in state or out of state.
University of North Dakota
Online Master of Arts in Forensic Psychology
The University of North Dakota is a accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. However, it is a regional accreditation, so do check with your state licensing board whether their accreditation is valid if you are out of state. Two programs start each year, one in August and one in January. It should take around two years to complete the online degree program. However, you will be required to attend a two week capstone project, which will take place in the last semester.
Tuition
The current fee is $266.16 per credit hour. This makes it one of the cheapest online degree programs in the country of its kind. The fee is the same for both in state and out of state students.
