Quick Highlights:
- Our #1 ranked school for forensic psychology is John Jay College, followed by Southern New Hampshire University.
- Forensic psychology is a branch of psychology that applies its principles within the criminal justice and legal systems.
- According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the field of forensic psychology should see a 6% growth in jobs over the next 10 years.
One of the best forensic psychology undergraduate programs will propel you to play a vital part in the legal process.
Forensic psychologists can be the key witness and advisor to a criminal case. Can a suspect plead insanity? Were their motives rooted in childhood trauma? Do the patterns of criminal behavior suggest a psychological condition? These are just a few questions that forensic psychologists ask. And you can find out far more with one of the Five Best Bachelor’s in Forensic Psychology. We created this ranking to help you find the best college for forensic psychology.
From the television show Criminal Minds to nationally covered court cases, forensic psychologists are an essential entity. Yet, not every depiction of forensic psychologists is accurate. The most significant duty of forensic psychologists is to psychologically analyze people who are involved with the legal system.
Forensic psychology is a specialized area of professional psychology within the context of criminal justice and the legal system. While forensic science is defined as the scientific analysis of crime scene evidence, forensic psychology focuses on a person’s ability to stand trial or defend themselves in a court of law.
Psychological analysis can lead to a drastically different conclusion in a legal case. For a person to be convicted of a crime, they must be found guilty not only of the crime but of mens rea—a guilty mind. If a person claims insanity, and if a forensic psychologist diagnoses the suspect with insanity at the time of the crime or in general, the suspect may be found not guilty or have their charges heavily reduced.
The best forensic psychology schools prepare students for success by helping them develop skills in:
- critical thinking
- case presentation
- verbal communication
- clinical assessment
What Are the Best Forensic Psychology Colleges?
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John Jay College
Our choice for the best school for forensic psychology is John Jay College of Criminal Justice. You can’t beat the affordability, reputation, and well-rounded curriculum of the Bachelor of Arts in Forensic Psychology program at John Jay College of Criminal Justice. The program focuses on:
- the foundational theories of forensic psychology
- the latest research in the field
- the ethics of forensic psychology
- the intersection between psychology and the criminal justice system
The program’s 120-credit course load comprises 26-35 credits in electives, 42 general education credits, and 43-52 credits in the forensic psychology degree program. Students begin their studies with introductory classes like Introduction to Psychology and Pre-Calculus. As forensic psychology students continue into more advanced terrain, they take courses like:
- Seminar in Forensic Psychology
- Psychology of Criminal Behavior
- Advanced Undergraduate Research Experience in Psychology
Students should note that John Jay College offers a dual bachelor’s and master’s program. A master’s isn’t a necessary degree—most doctoral programs accept students with an undergraduate degree—but it will enhance your resume, likelihood for admittance, and knowledge.
Southern New Hampshire University
One of the best forensic psychology degrees is offered by Southern New Hampshire University. SNHU offers an excellent Bachelor of Arts in psychology with a concentration in forensic psychology. SNHU is notable for its financial aid opportunities.
Over 90% of students qualify for some form of student aid, and many of those students are eligible to receive up to $20,000 in education awards. And besides those awards, every student benefits from SNHU’s relatively affordable tuition.
Forensic psychology students divide their time between general education, psychology, and forensic psychology courses. In the four-year program, students learn about the legal, psychological, and ethical aspects of being a forensic psychologist. Students also receive a well-rounded education to become functional and educated adults.
Some classes that forensic psychology students take are:
- Scientific Investigations
- Statistics for Psychology
- Introduction to Psychology
- Introduction to Anatomy
Students finish their forensic psychology degree with a Senior Seminar in Psychology. This seminar connects ethics, field experience, research, and the latest theories in psychology and forensic psychology.
Florida Institute of Technology
The Florida Institute of Technology is proud to offer one of the only bachelor’s in forensic psychology programs in Florida. And it happens to be one of the best forensic psychology colleges in the nation. The school offers terrific classes, the option to continue to a doctoral program at the FIT, and all of the knowledge you’ll need to flourish in graduate school and the real world.
The FIT offers many excellent classes. These include:
- Fundamentals of Forensic Psychology
- Clinical Forensic Assessment
- Psychology and the Law
Students also take courses that delve into the latest research in:
- inmate attachment
- jail re-entry
- mental health court
Students in this program research with leading faculty, which provides the opportunity to watch expertise in action.
After graduating, students will be well-versed in the essential tasks of forensic psychologists in the criminal justice system including:
- expert witnessing
- jury selection
- child custody evaluations
- sexual predator health evaluations
- mental health evaluations
You may also enjoy: Best Online Forensic Pyschology Degree Programs
University of New Haven
The University of New Haven’s Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a concentration in Forensic Psychology asks all of the critical questions of a forensic psychologist. Why do people commit crimes? How does a person’s state of mind during a crime affect their court case? Is there a way to reduce crime by making diagnoses beforehand? Students in this program learn about the many details of forensic psychology work, including how to determine mental competency to stand trial.
Some courses at the University of New Haven’s forensic psychology program are:
- Cognitive Neuroscience
- Drugs & Behavior
- Theories of Personality
- Police and Investigative Psychology
- Legal Psychology
Students also take general education and core psychology courses like:
- Abnormal Psychology
- Research Methods in Psychology
- Statistics for Behavioral Sciences
To gain admission, students must:
- complete the Common Application
- submit official transcripts
- provide at least one letter of recommendation
- provide SAT or ACT scores
- write a personal essay
California Baptist University
Are you a religious Christian who wants to look at psychology and forensic psychology through a biblical scope? If so, California Baptist University’s Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a concentration in Forensic Psychology is your best option.
The program connects legal history, scientific research, and the biblical worldview of psychology to create one of the most fascinating forensic psychology degree programs in the country.
Some of the many fascinating classes at this forensic psychology college include:
- Theories of Personality
- Abnormal Psychology
- Psychopathic Mind
- Introduction to Forensic Psychology
- Developmental Psychology: Adolescence and Adulthood
Students take these classes from expert Christian instructors, and they also take biblical-minded courses as general education requirements.
One unique feature of California Baptist University’s program is the requirement to complete a capstone project to graduate. In the project, students must complete an original research project over four semesters of study. Students who wish to go above and beyond can research alongside faculty and present their findings at the Annual CBU Student Research Colloquium.
Frequently Asked Questions
Forensic psychology can be a rewarding career path. It offers good pay and a stable work environment. Forensic psychologists work in areas such as criminal profiling, courtroom consultation, and rehabilitation of offenders. This is a growing field that, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, should see a 6% growth in jobs over the next 10 years.
On average, tuition and fees for in-state students at public universities getting a bachelor’s degree in forensic psychology range from $8,000 to $12,000 per year. Out-of-state students and private institutions have higher costs, ranging from $20,000 to $40,000 or more annually.
A bachelor’s degree in forensic psychology takes full-time students four years to complete, on average. Most programs require 120 credits, which means you take between 12 and 15 credits each semester to graduate in four years.
Average pay for psychologists is $85,330/year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The top 10% make more than $141,910/year. The top-paying industry for forensic psychologists is government where you can make an average of $106,690/year.
Because of its interdisciplinary nature, forensic psychology degrees are challenging. They combine psychology with criminal justice. Coursework covers complex topics, and students need strong analytical and research skills. Success requires dedication, critical thinking, and a genuine interest in understanding the intersection of psychology and the legal system.
The choice between a BA (Bachelor of Arts) or BS (Bachelor of Science) in Forensic Psychology depends on your personal preferences and career goals. A BA includes more liberal arts coursework, while a BS involves additional science and research-focused classes. Consider your interests before choosing which direction you want to take.
Yes. You can make 6 figures as a forensic psychologist. The average pay is about $85,000/year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. But the top 10% make over $140,000/year. Within 5 years of working in the field, you can earn about $100,000, on average.
Forensic consultant is the highest paying job in forensic psychology. Experienced consultants make over $150,000/year, depending on the nature and complexity of their consulting work. Other top-paying jobs in this field include:
• Forensic psychologist in private practice
• University professor and researcher
Salary data changes with job market trends, but the above is the latest information from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
There’s not a lot of math in forensic psychology. Basic statistical knowledge can help with research, but the field focuses more on understanding human behavior, legal processes, and psychological assessment. Math requirements are minimal, with an emphasis on analytical and critical thinking skills in the context of psychology and the legal system. So, if you’re bad at math, you won’t suffer through your courses.
Yes, a forensic psychology degree can be valuable for working with the FBI. Forensic psychologists find work as special agents, analysts, or consultants. They contribute to criminal investigations, profiling, and understanding criminal behavior. With this degree you can play a crucial role within the FBI.