10 Best Online Forensic Psychology Masters

With ultimate affordability, excellent programs, and a laundry list of accomplished faculty members, it’s no surprise that Liberty University’s Master of Science in Criminal Justice with a forensic psychology concentration is #1 on this list. While forensic psychology is a concentration rather than the core of this program, students still receive a fantastic education that outdoes any online master’s program.

Some courses that students in this online master’s in forensic psychology take are: 

• Fundamentals of Forensic Psychology
• Psychology and the Legal System
• Understanding Criminal Behavior
• Crisis Intervention in Law Enforcement
• Rehabilitation and Reintegration of the Offender

While these courses will introduce you to essential forensic psychology topics, they will also orient you to the criminal justice issues that you need to become familiar with as a forensic psychologist.

To gain admission to this forensic psychology online master’s program, students must submit: 

• Official college transcripts
• The application fee
• The online application
• Proof of English proficiency
• A regionally or nationally accredited bachelor’s degree with a 3.0 or above GPA

If you’ve researched online programs in any subject, Southern New Hampshire University probably needs no introduction. It is one of the foremost online-focused universities on the planet, with dozens of programs that are: 

• Excellent quality 
• Flexible
• Affordable

Southern New Hampshire University offers a fantastic online masters in psychology with a forensic psychology concentration.

Some core classes in this online master’s program are: 

• Psychology in the Courtroom
• Forensic Psychology
• Assessment for Forensic Psychology
• Intersection of Law and Psychology

These forensic psychology courses teach students about: 

• The foundations and fundamentals of forensic psychology
• The ethics of the field
• How psychologists play a vital role in the legal system

Southern New Hampshire University charges $637 per credit for the 36-credit program, which is reasonable for a master’s degree. The university doesn’t require applying students to submit GRE or GMAT scores. However, you may submit them if you believe they would strengthen your profile. Notably, admitted SNHU students can transfer up to twelve credits to the program.

As the first dedicated Master of Science in Forensic Psychology degree on this list, Nova Southeastern University stands out as a focused, high-quality, and affordable program. Students in this 36-credit program learn about: 

• Psychology
• The legal system
• How the two intersect

Students in this online masters in forensic psychology are either professionals who want to advance in their field or interested students who want to learn more about forensic psychology before gaining a Ph.D. or Psy.D.

Some courses in this online master’s in forensic psychology are: 

• Psychological Issues in Dependency and Family Law Cases
• Assessment of Psychological Injury for Legal Cases
• Therapeutic Jurisprudence and Problem-Solving Courts
• Behavioral Criminology

Each class will teach you essential information regarding the field and place you one step closer to becoming a successful forensic psychologist.

At $925 per credit hour, Nova Southeastern University isn’t the most affordable university on this list. It is, however, one of the best. There are only a few other programs that have a sole focus on forensic psychology, and NSU is the best of these programs. 

The University of California Irvine is perhaps the most reputable university on this list. It’s also one of the most selective and demanding schools. Students at UCI: 

• Take competitive classes
• Learn from highly regarded faculty members
• Earn a name that looks good on any resume

If you feel up to the challenge, consider the University of California Irvine’s online master’s of legal and forensic psychology program.

This online forensic psychology master’s degree takes students one year to complete. And while it’s an online program, the University of California Irvine requires each student to attend a one-week introductory course on the campus. While the trip may sound like a hassle, know that you’ll be near some of the best beaches and nightlife in Southern California during this short trip.

Interested in joining this reputable program? To gain admission, students must have: 

• A 3.0 or higher GPA in undergraduate coursework
• Official transcripts
• Three letters of recommendation
• A purpose statement
• A history statement
• An updated professional resume that highlights relevant experience in the field

Would you like to attend a fantastic program that focuses on research and immersion in the field? If so, consider Oklahoma State University’s Master of Science in Forensic Sciences with an emphasis in forensic psychology. 

There is one catch to this master’s degree: Students are often required to take on-campus laboratory classes during the second year of the program. That means the master’s in forensic psychology program isn’t 100% online, but if you’re willing to spare some online learning for on-campus immersion, you won’t regret your choice to attend OSU.

Some notable courses in this online master’s in forensic psychology program are: 

• Survey of Forensic Sciences
• Questioned Document Examination
• Technical Aspects of Forensic Document Examination
• Ethical Research and Scientific Writing
• Theory and Practice of Forensic Handwriting Examination

These courses are demanding, but they’re some of the most rewarding classes you can take.

To graduate from this master’s in forensic psychology students must complete 39 credits with a 3.0 GPA in seven years or fewer. Students must also: 

• Complete a thesis or capstone project
• Participate in graduate seminars
• Pass the capstone exam

Saint Leo University offers a fantastic online Master of Science program in criminal justice with a concentration in forensic science. 

This program isn’t as focused on forensic psychology as others on this list. Instead, it focuses on preparing students to become leaders, administrators, and supervisors in the criminal justice system. If you’re unsure about a future in forensic psychology but you know you want a place in law enforcement, consider this criminal justice degree.

Some classes in this online master’s in forensic psychology program are: 

• Public Policy Making in Criminal Justice
• Ethical Issues in Criminal Justice Administration
• Introduction to Forensic Management
• Advanced Forensic Science
• Leadership Applications in Criminal Justice

Graduate students also choose two electives from a list of over thirty, allowing them to become experts in niche subjects.

The 36-credit program takes most students two years to complete. Saint Leo University graduates have taken jobs as: 

• Criminal justice practitioners
• Federal law enforcement officers
• State and local law enforcement officers
• Loss prevention investigators
• Criminal behavior analysts

Note that you can go onto a Ph.D. or Psy.D. program in forensic psychology, but these classes won’t prepare you for the psychology side of the curriculum. 

Arizona State University probably needs no introduction. It’s one of the largest schools in the world, and the school has promoted distance learning since online classes came into existence. And with one of the only master’s in forensic psychology programs in America, there’s very little not to like about the program. The online forensic psychology degree format is simple:

• Eleven classes
• 7.5 weeks per class
• 33 credits to graduate

Some courses in this program include: 

• Research Methods
• Advanced Correctional Psychology
• Advanced Legal Psychology
• Quantitative Analysis
• Seminar in Criminal Justice

Between the statistics and methods, criminal justice, and psychology classes, students become knowledgeable in all things forensic psychology. And they become ready to join the best Ph.D. programs in the field.

To join this online master’s in forensic psychology program, applicants must have a 3.0 or higher GPA in the last 60 credits in their undergraduate degree or a 3.0 or higher GPA from a master’s program. Additionally, students must provide: 

• Official transcripts
• Three letters of recommendation
• The application fee

International students must also provide proof of English proficiency.

Why do people commit crimes? What is psychology’s role in the legal system? These are some of the many topics you’ll examine in Grand Canyon University’s Master of Science in Psychology with a concentration in forensic psychology program. 

This master’s in forensic psychology program is available online or on-campus; students can also enroll in a hybrid format if they wish. Notably, students may also transfer up to twelve credits to this program.

Some classes that Grand Canyon University students take are: 

• Research Methods
• Psychopathology of Crime
• Theories of Criminal Behavior
• Psychology and the Legal System
• Offender Rehabilitation and Reintegration

Through these classes and the research that students undergo, attendees learn about the biological, genetic, neurochemical, cognitive, and sociological elements of why people commit crimes.

Graduates from this master’s in forensic psychology degree have gone on to careers such as: 

• Victim advocates
• Court liaisons
• Police consultants
• Jury consultants

The career settings are numerous. Graduates have worked in environments like: 

• Courtrooms
• Police departments
• Law firms
• Public agencies
• Rehabilitation centers

The University of Houston-Victoria offers an outstanding master’s in forensic psychology degree.

The university has relatively strict requirements: Students must have taken statistics, research methods, and abnormal psychology courses to gain entrance to this program. They should also have completed coursework in forensic psychology. Besides that, applying students must provide: 

• At least one letter of recommendation
• A personal statement
• Official transcripts
• An interview with a faculty member

Some notable classes in this master’s in forensic psychology are: 

• Vocational Psychology and Career Counseling
• Intellectual Assessment
• Techniques of Psychotherapy
• Group Psychotherapy
• Addictions Counseling

Students must also complete the nine-credit Practicum in Forensic Psychology.

Students begin school every Fall semester. To apply for this master’s in forensic psychology, students must submit their application prior to the February 15th deadline. Note that this program specifically meets the requirements for Texas licensure. While it meets most other states’ requirements, you should check before enrolling in the school.

Do you want to become a psychologist, and you’re pretty sure you want to practice forensic psychology but you’d rather leave other options open? If so, consider the University of Louisiana at Monroe’s Master of Science in Psychology with a forensic track. 

Some notable courses in this master’s in forensic psychology program are: 

• Intelligence Testing
• Psychological Assessment
• Counseling in Criminal Justice
• Sociology of Law
• Proseminar in Criminal Justice

These are the courses in the forensic track. Besides that, students take general psychology courses that focus on theory, foundation, and practice.

To gain admission to the University of Louisiana at Monroe’s esteemed program, applicants must meet two of the three following requirements, per the school’s website: 

• A minimum cumulative grade-point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
• A minimum combined score of 800 (GPA x GRE)
• A total of at least 1900 points based upon the formula—400 times the overall undergraduate grade-point average plus the GRE General Test score (Verbal plus Quantitative)