Master's in Forensic Psychology Online MS in Psychology Concentration

With a master's degree in forensic psychology, you'll be able to apply psychology to the criminal justice system in a variety of ways. You can use your knowledge of the legal aspects relating to psychological behavior to specialize in family, civil or criminal law. You can also use your skills to help solve crimes, testify in criminal cases or serve as an advocate for victims of crime. Plus, with a projected 6% increase in job prospects for social scientists and related workers through 2033, new opportunities in this field are above the national average, according to the BLS.¹

Some career options for forensic psychologists are:

• Jury consultant, where you may specialize in assisting lawyers in selecting members of a jury for criminal cases.
• Psychologist in a private practice, where you may serve as an expert witness in criminal court cases by applying your expertise in forensic psychology. You may work with attorneys to recommend legal strategies for questioning witnesses. You may also assess criminal defendants to provide the court system with official psychological evaluations.
• Teacher, where you may provide instruction at the community college level, or use your master's in forensic psychology as preparation for a research and teaching career at the university level. You could also teach forensic psychology to legal professionals.

Additional training, certification or experience may be required for certain jobs. For example, investigative forensic psychologists, who may work for a government agency such as the Federal Bureau of Investigation or the United States Department of Justice as a criminal profiler, or as an investigator working to solve crimes, often require a doctorate degree and licensure.

While SNHU's MS in Psychology degree with a concentration in Forensic Psychology does not lead to licensure, it will help you prepare for different avenues and experiences within the criminal justice system that interest you. Stay open minded and curious and you could end up right where you're supposed to – even if it's not where you initially planned.

Not only are online forensic psychology master's programs available, they're highly regarded.

Studying online has many benefits in today’s increasingly digital world. You can learn the foundational theory of forensic psychology, including current trends and research, from anywhere you have access to the internet. An online program allows you to complete your degree at your own pace, day or night, while learning from leading specialists working in the field. Courses like Assessment for Forensic Psychology, Intersection of Law and Psychology, and Psychology in the Courtroom can all be taken successfully online.

For some, like Selma Zein '21, learning online isn't just a luxury – it's the only practical way to reach her goals.

"I chose SNHU for several reasons, and with my degree almost in hand, I’m so glad I did," she said. "It’s such a well-run, smooth online program that allows you to study wherever you are in the world. For someone like me – who was working in Dubai – I was able to still get a great education from an accredited, wonderful university. The classes intrigued me with their titles alone, and I’ve genuinely enjoyed every class."

The format of the program gave Zein unprecedented confidence to pursue her passion.

"As someone in her 30s who thought I was done studying, I honestly did not feel like I was studying, rather just enjoying my days like I usually would," she said. "Watching true crime and interrogations, and instead of thinking about them to myself, I get to share my thoughts through professional writing with such a great diverse class and excellent professors for great feedback that helped me excel. My first phone call with SNHU was only a glimpse of how helpful, supportive and encouraging the staff and advisors are."

At Southern New Hampshire University, you can get started if you have a bachelor’s degree in psychology already, or if you have a bachelor’s degree in any other field and have completed coursework in several foundational courses. If you have not yet completed coursework or aren’t sure if the courses you have completed will count toward your MS in Forensic Psychology, we can help. First, your SNHU admission counselor can request transcripts for you. Then, our transfer support team can look them over and help you maximize your transfer credits. We also offer foundational courses for students who don't have a background in psychology or the social sciences.

While everyone’s pace is different, most people allow 2 years to complete an online master’s degree, as do the majority of campus graduate students. Many programs can be completed in less time, depending on the program and any transfer credits you may have.

At Southern New Hampshire University, you can complete your master's in forensic psychology in as few as 15 months. One of the many benefits of online learning is that you decide when you can do the work. As long as you meet your deadlines, the entire degree can be completed on your schedule.

In addition, our admission team will work with you so you can receive the maximum number of transfer credits possible from other degree programs to get you on your way.

That's exactly what happened with Kelcey Kennedy '19 '21G. "I transferred credits when beginning my SNHU journey. I attended college for a year and a half prior to going active duty in the military," she said. "I started up classes with SNHU for my bachelor’s degree in January 2018 and completed my degree August 2019. I couldn’t believe how quickly I flew through my classes but it was worth it in the end."

With the option to waste no time earning her bachelor's, Kennedy quickly earned the credentials she needed to advance to a master's degree.

With multiple areas to specialize in, there are many career paths available. A master’s degree in forensic psychology allows you to build on a broad foundation of psychology and incorporate specialized coursework to learn how to apply psychology to the law and the courtroom.

"While 'psychologist' is a title that requires a doctoral degree and licensure, a master's in forensic psychology can help prepare graduates for a number of different career paths," said Dr. Vanessa Holtgrave, an adjunct faculty member who teaches forensic psychology courses at SNHU. Possible careers include, but are not limited to:

• Victim advocate
• Forensic case management
• Child forensic interviewer
• Social work investigator
• Police, corrections, probation and parole officers
• Court appointed special advocate

Courses leading to a career in forensic psychology may include instruction on the judicial process, leadership and ethics, negotiation and even global terrorism. Research and theory of psychology and its applications are covered as well. This broad foundation provides the coursework you need to choose a career specialty.

While this degree will not qualify you for licensure, it does provide an excellent foundation for continuing your studies at the doctoral degree level or continuation to other graduate programs.

Dr. Holtgrave notes this program is also appropriate both for students who haven’t yet gained any professional experience, and for those who currently work in forensic psychology-related positions who wish to continue their education.

“As a forensic psychologist, I believe it is important that our students be given a comprehensive educational experience by competent professionals during their time in the program," Holtgrave said. "This ensures that students are knowledgeable about the breadth and depth of forensic psychology and the careers that are available.”

This is an excellent question because the two fields do have a fair amount of overlap. Both are grounded in psychology research and theory, and both examine cognitive processes, ethics and social psychology. The main difference lies with forensic psychology focusing on the aftermath of crimes, whereas criminal psychology’s focus is on predicting what may lead to a crime in the first place.

A criminal psychologist may focus on creating a criminal profile and stopping crimes before they happen, while forensic psychologists are more likely to provide counseling to victims or assist a legal team in prosecution after a crime has occurred.

Both specializations require strong communication, critical thinking and analytical skills, as well as a strong interest in the law and the criminal justice system. Both can lead to long, rewarding careers that help make the world a little safer every day.

Only you can decide whether or not a forensic psychology degree is worth it for you. At SNHU, we do everything we can to create a better college experience – from top-notch student support, to expert instructors and the flexibility to complete your program completely online.

"This degree was worth every minute I put into it," said Selma Zein '21. "I was reciprocated with the education and support I needed. I can proceed with full confidence in my future program and career."

Kelcey Kennedy '19 '21G echoes a similar sentiment. "I think the degree program was worth it because I got to focus my free time to finally getting my degree," she said. "It was a convenient way to be able to attend school while being in the military and progressing successfully in both. Plus, I was able to be a positive example to other military members by helping them start their own educational journey, which is such a rewarding feeling."

For Kimberly Custodio '18 '21G, who also balanced military service with earning a degree, it was "absolutely" worth the effort to go back to school. "I now have a field to go into once I retire from the Navy," she said. "This has always been my goal and I feel like with SNHU, I was able to accomplish this goal."

Custodio also added how supported she felt throughout her journey.

"SNHU has been absolutely amazing to work with," she said. "The admissions personnel were so pleasant to work with, the student advisors were supportive and encouraging. Every aspect about working with SNHU and the staff has been nothing but wonderful."