Online and Distance Learning

Are you interested in studying a forensic psychology masters online program or in taking criminology and justice studies?  This page will help you to find out more about university forensic psychology and to locate suitable schools.

What is forensic psychology?

Forensic psychology is psychology applied in law and law enforcement. For example, it is used in treating mentally ill offenders, providing expert testimony in court, and also in analyzing a criminal's mind and intent.  So to prepare for this work students need to take criminal justice and civil legal courses as well as psychology courses. And this is what a typical forensic psychology masters online program covers.

Many working students prefer to take their degree online rather than on-campus, if you are interested in on campus degrees, check the on campus programs page.

Selected forensic psychology masters online programs

The following is a list of selected online programs with various combinations of criminal justice, forensic psychology and criminology:

• Walden University
  • M.S. in Forensic Psychology
    • Forensic Psychology in Community Settings
    • General
    • Mental Health Applications
    • Program Planning & Evaluation in Forensic Settings
    • Psychology & Legal Systems

• Argosy University Online
  • Master of Arts in Forensic Psychology

• The University of the Rockies Online
  • Graduate Certificates - Criminology and Justice Studies

You can also find more graduate certificates and masters forensic psychology online programs using the search box in the right-hand column.

What do you study in a forensic psychology masters online program?

In a forensic psychology masters online program, you learn how its principles are applied in a range of settings from correctional institutions to court systems to community-based programs. You also learn to provide psychological services within the criminal justice and civil legal systems.  For example, you are trained to evaluate the psychological fitness of individuals who must stand trial. You must state and defend your psychological evaluations in court, so you need to be quick-witted and have good communication skills, as well as having the required psychological and legal knowledge.

Courses covered would include: epidemiology of mental/behavioral disorders; risk factors for violence and criminality; profiling and patterning; psychological testing, prediction and intervention measurement; assessment; criminal and civil law and procedures; forensic treatment and intervention skills; interpersonal skills, communication skills, and, professional standards and ethics.  Usually you can select electives that will build your knowledge of how forensic psychology professionals work within an area that interests you, e.g., law enforcement, legal and organizational consultation, and program analysis.

Other relevant specializations

You may find it useful to consider the programs available in the following areas:

• counseling psychology;
• criminal justice;
• developmental psychology (infant, child, adolescent, adult and elderly);
• educational psychology (including school psychology);
• general psychology;
• substance abuse;

Other schools and programs can be found by using the search box.

What are the opportunities for graduates?

Forensic psychology research work, consultation and clinical practice have grown considerably over recent years and this growth is expected to continue over the next ten years.  There are now various sub-fields that a graduate with a masters in forensic psychology can work in, including: clinical-forensic psychology, developmental psychology, cognitive psychology, criminal investigative psychology.  But graduates with a forensic psychology PhD have more career opportunities than those with only a forensic psychology masters degree.

Remuneration is good - in the US, a forensic psychologist salary is around US$70,000 (PayScales.com).

More information about forensic psychology masters online programs

For more information about accredited online psychology degrees click the links in the navigation bar.

Use this link to find psychology programs and schools near you.

You can also use this link to search for online degree programs.

Use the search facility on this site to find more forensic psychology masters online programs.

If you are interested in on campus forensic psychology masters programs, check the on campus programs page.

Remember to compare the admission requirements and course content of several schools before you choose a program.