• Forensic Psychology Degrees
• Master's Forensic Psychology
• Forensic Science Degrees

Forensic Psychology Career

If you are interested in pursuing a career in Forensic Psychology, you will have to make psychology and criminal justice the focus of your education. Forensic Psychology Degree programs are few and far between, but Kaplan University offers a BS in Criminal Justice Forensic Psychology online to get you started in the right direction. You will also have to pursue graduate level work, such as your master's and most likely a PhD program with a forensic concentration or fellowship. Each state has license or certification requirements for psychologists to practice. A bachelor's degree in forensic psychology, criminal justice or psychology is an excellent place to begin. No degree can guarantee you a job or salary but can help prepare you for this fascinating and exciting field.

Find Online Forensic Psychology and Related Programs

Forensic Psychology Job Description

As a forensic psychologist you, most often, evaluate and test patients that have been incarcerated or are being prosecuted. Forensic psychologists will present their opinions based on these evaluations and tests regarding the individual's competency to stand trial or if the individual's mental state warrants full criminal responsibility. Forensic psychologists also give expert testimony in court as to the psychological state of a defendant. Forensic psychologists also will aid law enforcement agencies in the profiling of sexual predators, arsonists and other offenders. Forensic psychologists work closely with law enforcement agencies such as the corrections system, the court system and state and local police.

Forensic psychologists often work in private practice or teach psychology, forensic psychology or criminal justice courses at the college or university level. Federal and state governments may employ forensic psychologists in their corrections facilities, probation and parole departments, police departments and other areas requiring a forensic psychology presence.

Forensic Psychologist Salaries

Our research found that starting forensic psychologists can expect to earn around $53,000 a year with those having 20 or more years experience earning over $77,000 a year. Forensic psychologists in private practice and or offering expert testimony can earn significantly more. Those with less than 20 years experience and more than a year can earn a wide range of salaries depending on their employer, if they are in private practice or if they do expert testimony in addition to their base salary.

Request free, no obligation information from the fully accredited schools below and learn how they can help you succeed in a forensic psychology career.

Online Forensic Psychology and Related Degrees

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Kaplan University:

BS in Criminal Justice / Forensic Psychology
AAS in Criminal Justice
BS in Criminal Justice

The Chicago School of Professional Psychology: The Chicago School of Professional Psychology is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA) and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. The school is also an active member of the National Council of Schools and Programs of Professional Psychology. The forensic psychology certificate programs can be completed in as little 5 months and the credits can be applied toward a master's degree in forensic psychology. The online master's in forensic psychology can be completed in 20 months and offers two specialization options: Adult Offenders or Juvenile Offenders.

Certificate in Applied Forensic Psychology (A Bachelor's degree, in any discipline, is required to enroll.)
Master's in Forensic Psychology
Master's in Forensic Psychology - Adult Offenders
Master's in Forensic Psychology - Juvenile Offenders

Walden University Online:

B.S. Psychology - Preparation for Graduate Schools
M.S. Forensic Psychology - Forensic Psychology in Community Settings
M.S. Forensic Psychology - General
M.S. Forensic Psychology - Mental Health Applications
M.S. Forensic Psychology - Program Planning & Evaluation in Forensic Settings
M.S. Forensic Psychology - Psychology & Legal Systems
M.S. in Psychology - Crisis Management & Response
M.S. in Psychology - Terrorism and Security, Crisis Management and Response

University of the Rockies:

Master of Arts in Psychology - Criminology and Justice Studies
Doctor of Psychology - Criminology and Justice Studies

Lincoln College Online:

BS in Criminal Justice and The Study of the Criminal Mind

University of Phoenix:

Associate's - Psychology
Bachelor of Science - Psychology
Master of Science - Psychology

Capella University:

MS in Public Health - Social and Behavioral Sciences
MS in Psychology (mulitple concentrations)
PhD in General Psychology

Ashford University:

BA in Psychology

St. Joseph's University:

Certificate in Behavior Analysis
Master of Science in Criminal Justice - Behavior Analysis Specialization

Schools Offering Campus Based Forensic Psychology Programs

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Argosy University:

Programs Offered: Bachelor's, Master's | Forensic Psychology, Psychology - Criminal Justice

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Orange County, Twin Cities, Phoenix, San Diego, San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles, Inland Empire, Denver, Sarasota, Atlanta, Schaumburg, Washington DC, or Seattle.