Best Online Master’s Degrees in: Forensic Psychology

Editor’s Picks: Online Schools for Forensic Psychology

Value

Trine University wins best online master’s degree program in forensic psychology for value. PayScale.com ranks Trine University 356 in college education value. Trine University offers a 6.9% return on investment without financial aid and a 7.8% return on investment with financial aid. Trine University offers payment options and multiple financial aid links from its website.

Flexibility

Argosy University wins best online forensic psychology master’s degree program for flexibility. Argosy University provides asynchronous classes that may be accessed at any time and do not require students to log in at a specific time of day. Students may complete the forensic psychology program in as little as 24 months, in which they participate in discussion, take in lectures, and access relevant course media.

Career Support

Argosy University provides career counseling in both short and long-term career goals. Argosy University also provides job search advising, including where and how to look for jobs. In addition, CollegeProwler.com gives Argosy University a grade of “A” for career services. Students may access online resources, including research, resume, and job search tips. Students also have access to interview coaches and workshops on topics like salary negotiation skills and managing job offers. Argosy University wins best online forensic psychology master’s degree program for career support.

Financial Support

Walden University wins best online master’s degree program in forensic psychology for financial support. Walden University is ranked 26 by the Online Education Database, which reports that 84% of Walden University students receive financial aid. Walden University also offers scholarships for doctoral and master’s degree students, fellowships, monthly payment options, and veteran benefits. Students may also access a net price calculator from Walden University’s financial aid website.

Technology Support

Walden University wins best online forensic psychology master’s degree program for technology support. Walden University allows students to access the online forensic psychology master’s degree program from anywhere using portable course tools, including audio and video course work. Students may access technical support and other online course services, including career services, the library, and writing and research center, 24/7.

Student Engagement

Argosy University wins best online forensic psychology master’s degree for student engagement. Argosy University provides Connections for students to interact with faculty and peers. Connections provides the news, events, and student and professional organizations for online students. Students may also access the quarterly newsletter, Connections Corner, via e-mail.

Disability Support

The Chicago School of Professional Psychology wins best online master’s degree program in forensic psychology for disability support. Through student affairs, online students may access the Chicago School’s Disability Support Services. Disability Support Services provides accommodations for students eligible for aids and services as determined on a case-by-case basis. Students must request accommodations six weeks before the start of a term.

Library/Research Support

University of Denver students may access the Penrose Library for research advice, guides, and resources. The library enables students to chat with a librarian online, access the writing and math center, and download widgets for easy access to the library resources. The library also offers mobile pages for catalog searches. The University of Denver wins best online master’s degree program in forensic psychology for library research and support.

Learning Support

Walden University wins best online forensic psychology master’s degree program for learning support. Walden University provides 24/7 student support, including career services, technical and academic assistance, Walden Library, and writing and research center access. Forensic psychology students may choose a specialization within forensic psychology, and may access course resources through several formats.

Faculty Credentials/Qualifications

University of Denver wins best online forensic psychology master’s degree program for faculty credentials. Most of the faculty at the University of Denver in the Graduate School of Professional Psychology hold a doctorate. According to its website, Graduate School of Professional Psychology’s faculty are engaged in the practice of their respective specialties and are also involved in national and local professional organizations.

Alumni Engagement

University of Denver wins best online master’s degree program in forensic psychology for alumni engagement. The University of Denver provides alumni homecoming, reunion events, and cocktail receptions throughout the country, as well as events provided by several local chapters. The University of Denver also offers library access, a travel program, and career services to all alumni.

Prior Learning Options

Trine University wins best online forensic psychology master’s degree program for prior learning options. Trine University recognizes previous college and university credit with no expiration. Trine also provides military benefits, and was listed in the 2011 list of Military Friendly Schools by G.I. Jobs magazine.

New Student Orientation

Nova Southeastern University wins best online master’s degree program in forensic psychology for new online student orientation. Nova Southeastern University offers a web-based online orientation program for new online students through WebCT/Blackboard. The Online Orientation consists of seven modules — history of the institution, student services, academic expectations, financial services, and technology and library resources — to familiarize online students with all aspects of their online program.

Forensic Psychology

Value

Trine University wins best online master’s degree program in forensic psychology for value. PayScale.com ranks Trine University 356 in college education value. Trine University offers a 6.9% return on investment without financial aid and a 7.8% return on investment with financial aid. Trine University offers payment options and multiple financial aid links from its website.

Flexibility

Argosy University wins best online forensic psychology master’s degree program for flexibility. Argosy University provides asynchronous classes that may be accessed at any time and do not require students to log in at a specific time of day. Students may complete the forensic psychology program in as little as 24 months, in which they participate in discussion, take in lectures, and access relevant course media.

Career Support

Argosy University provides career counseling in both short and long-term career goals. Argosy University also provides job search advising, including where and how to look for jobs. In addition, CollegeProwler.com gives Argosy University a grade of “A” for career services. Students may access online resources, including research, resume, and job search tips. Students also have access to interview coaches and workshops on topics like salary negotiation skills and managing job offers. Argosy University wins best online forensic psychology master’s degree program for career support.

Financial Support

Walden University wins best online master’s degree program in forensic psychology for financial support. Walden University is ranked 26 by the Online Education Database, which reports that 84% of Walden University students receive financial aid. Walden University also offers scholarships for doctoral and master’s degree students, fellowships, monthly payment options, and veteran benefits. Students may also access a net price calculator from Walden University’s financial aid website.

Technology Support

Walden University wins best online forensic psychology master’s degree program for technology support. Walden University allows students to access the online forensic psychology master’s degree program from anywhere using portable course tools, including audio and video course work. Students may access technical support and other online course services, including career services, the library, and writing and research center, 24/7.

Student Engagement

Argosy University wins best online forensic psychology master’s degree for student engagement. Argosy University provides Connections for students to interact with faculty and peers. Connections provides the news, events, and student and professional organizations for online students. Students may also access the quarterly newsletter, Connections Corner, via e-mail.

Disability Support

The Chicago School of Professional Psychology wins best online master’s degree program in forensic psychology for disability support. Through student affairs, online students may access the Chicago School’s Disability Support Services. Disability Support Services provides accommodations for students eligible for aids and services as determined on a case-by-case basis. Students must request accommodations six weeks before the start of a term.

Library/Research Support

University of Denver students may access the Penrose Library for research advice, guides, and resources. The library enables students to chat with a librarian online, access the writing and math center, and download widgets for easy access to the library resources. The library also offers mobile pages for catalog searches. The University of Denver wins best online master’s degree program in forensic psychology for library research and support.

Learning Support

Walden University wins best online forensic psychology master’s degree program for learning support. Walden University provides 24/7 student support, including career services, technical and academic assistance, Walden Library, and writing and research center access. Forensic psychology students may choose a specialization within forensic psychology, and may access course resources through several formats.

Faculty Credentials/Qualifications

University of Denver wins best online forensic psychology master’s degree program for faculty credentials. Most of the faculty at the University of Denver in the Graduate School of Professional Psychology hold a doctorate. According to its website, Graduate School of Professional Psychology’s faculty are engaged in the practice of their respective specialties and are also involved in national and local professional organizations.

Alumni Engagement

University of Denver wins best online master’s degree program in forensic psychology for alumni engagement. The University of Denver provides alumni homecoming, reunion events, and cocktail receptions throughout the country, as well as events provided by several local chapters. The University of Denver also offers library access, a travel program, and career services to all alumni.

Prior Learning Options

Trine University wins best online forensic psychology master’s degree program for prior learning options. Trine University recognizes previous college and university credit with no expiration. Trine also provides military benefits, and was listed in the 2011 list of Military Friendly Schools by G.I. Jobs magazine.

New Student Orientation

Nova Southeastern University wins best online master’s degree program in forensic psychology for new online student orientation. Nova Southeastern University offers a web-based online orientation program for new online students through WebCT/Blackboard. The Online Orientation consists of seven modules — history of the institution, student services, academic expectations, financial services, and technology and library resources — to familiarize online students with all aspects of their online program.

Explore a Master’s Degree in Forensic Psychology

Forensic psychologists apply psychological principles to the legal and criminal justice system. Forensic psychology graduate students learn concepts of psychological development, psychopathology, personality assessment, psychotherapeutic techniques, and research methods for use in the criminal and civil justice systems. Forensic psychologists may appear as expert witnesses or work with judges, attorneys, and legal specialists in family, civil, or criminal court.

Class Curriculum

Master’s degrees students in forensic psychology may require foundational course work in statistics and research methods, psychopathology, and law and social sciences. Further course work may include counseling methods, criminal behavior psychology, victimology, social psychology, forensic assessment, and personality profiles and theory. Here are a few specific courses that may be included in a forensic psychology master’s degree program:

• Social Psychology. Social psychology covers social behaviors of individuals and groups and their relationship in a social context. Forensic psychology course work may emphasize social psychology within the criminal and civil justice systems, including collective behavior, jury research, and criminal identification.
• Criminal Behavior Psychology. Criminal behavior psychology may cover case examples to represent cognitive, psychodynamic, behavioral, social learning, and developmental theories. Students may analyze alcohol, crime, sex crime, juvenile delinquency, and women and crime through psychological theory.
• Personality Assessment. Personality assessment course work may cover objective and projective techniques in personality assessment. Projective techniques include the Rorschach test, figure drawing, and the Thematic Apperception Test. Objective personality tests include the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory, the Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory, and the California Psychological Inventory. Course work may discuss the validity of projective and objective measures of personality.

Students may be required to complete a master’s thesis in forensic psychology during their master’s degree program, and/or participate in an externship to gain experience assisting mental health professionals in assessment, management, and counseling through case histories, observations, and interviews. Forensic psychology students may also be assigned research or theory reading, and may be required to participate in research.

Building a Career

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that the median pay for psychologists in May 2010 was $68,640 per year. Psychologist employment is expected to increase by 22% between 2010 and 2020. Employment and wage figures vary depending on employer, area, experience, position, and other factors. For instance, forensic psychologists may earn more than the psychologist’s median annual wage for their industry specialization. Clinical, counseling, and school psychologists had a median annual wage of $66,810 in May 2010.

Practicing psychologists usually require state licensure, which is obtained with a doctorate in psychology, internship experience, one to two years of professional experience, and by passing the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology. Psychologists may also obtain national certification through the National Association of School Psychologists, which is accepted by 30 states toward licensing or certification as the Nationally Certified School Psychologist (NCSP) designation.