In this article, we profile the top online master’s in forensic psychology degree programs.
Forensic psychology is a rapidly changing field of psychology that refers to the study of the application of psychological theory, research practices, and competencies in criminal and civil justice systems.
Some online master’s in forensic psychology programs focus more on the science behind the field, while others emphasize criminal behavior and psychology. If you get a master’s in forensic psychology, a few jobs open to you will be corrections counselors, victim advocates and jail supervisors working in law enforcement, corrections, victim assistance, sentencing advocacy, child welfare, family court services or research.
Online degrees are available but do not serve as licensure programs. Those who are interested in a career in psychology will need to obtain board certification from the American Board of Professional Psychology. There are 15 specialty boards and one sub-specialty board from which to choose. And don’t forget: The requirement for getting into graduate school is to first take the General Records Exam, or GRE.
It’s important to note that online certificate programs are not an advanced degree and are different from a board certification post-graduation.
Ranking the Best Forensic Psychology Master’s Degrees
For the purpose of this list, we looked at accredited colleges and universities that offered online master’s in forensic psychology or closely related degree programs. We selected master’s degree programs that were regionally or nationally accredited and looked at important elements, such as:
- Curriculum standards
- Admission requirements and administrative procedures
- Instructor requirements
- Student support and services
- Student outcomes
- Program reputation
Below is our list of the top best online master’s in forensic psychology degrees listed in order of affordability, from the least affordable to the most affordable.
Adler University
Master of Arts (M.A.) in Forensic Mental Health Leadership
Chicago, Illinois
Graduate Tuition/Fees for 2019-20: $37,272
Adler University offers an accredited online master’s in forensic psychology degree program designed for individuals interested in licensing eligibility as professional counselors through the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. Graduates of the counseling program become eligible for three specialized licensures, including the National Certified Counselor credential (NCC). They also become eligible to sit for the National Counselor Examination (NCE) prior to graduation. Admission to the master’s program requires a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university with an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or better. Applicants who meet the admission standards will be invited to interview with faculty. Adler has earned recognition from major publications like U.S. News and World Report as having a top-ranked clinical psychology graduate school.
Chicago School of Professional Psychology
Online Master’s in Forensic Psychology
Chicago, Illinois
Graduate Tuition/Fees for 2019-20: $21,934
One of the top online forensic psychology master’s degree programs on our list is offered by the Chicago School of Professional Psychology. Full-time and part-time options are available for this non-licensure track program. All classes are delivered online and include ethics and professional issues in forensic psychology, social psychology and aggression, and trauma and crisis intervention. These classes are guided by practitioner faculty with years of experience working or teaching in the field. Admission to the program requires a complete application, resume or curriculum vitae, essay, three letters of recommendation, and preparatory coursework in either statistics or research methods. The university is accredited and has been recognized by major publications like U.S. News and World Report as offering top-ranked psychology programs.
Nova Southeastern University
Online Master’s in Forensic Psychology
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Graduate Tuition/Fees for 2019-20: $21,206
One of the more affordable accredited forensic psychology master’s online programs on our list is offered by Nova Southeastern University. The 36-credit online program is designed to provide students with the professional training needed to work in a variety of forensic psychology settings like criminal justice, law enforcement, national security offices, prisons, or treatment facilities. Classes are delivered online and taught by the same professors who instruct on campus. These courses include communication skills and tools in forensic psychology, ethical concerns and multicultural issues in forensic psychology, and methods and tools of psychological and violence risk assessment. A specialization track for mental health workers, first responders, and disaster teams is also available. Nova is ranked by U.S. News and World Report as a top national university, and the graduate psychology school is ranked among the best in the country.
Southern New Hampshire University
Online Master’s in Psychology – Forensic Psychology
Manchester, New Hampshire
Graduate Tuition/Fees for 2019-20: $18,810
The online master’s in forensic psychology from Southern New Hampshire University emphasizes the intersection of psychology and law. Convenient online classes are taught by university professors with real-world experience. Students may complete the degree in just 15 months by taking two courses per ten-week term. These courses include cognitive processes, ethical practice in psychology, forensic psychology, measurement and assessment, research methods in psychology, and theories of personality. Admission does not require the GRE or GMAT, but students must hold an earned bachelor’s in psychology or a bachelor’s in a related discipline with coursework in research methods in a social science, psychology, and social science statistics. Southern New Hampshire is a regionally ranked institution by major publications like U.S. News and World Report.
Northcentral University
Online Master’s in Forensic Psychology
San Diego, California
Graduate Tuition/Fees for 2019-20: $18,095
Northcentral University offers an accredited online forensic psychology master’s degree that consists of 30 credit hours and a total of 10 courses. This program, designed to be completed in just 20 months, is 100% online. Students may enroll at any time, as multiple start dates (every Monday) occur throughout the year. While not a licensure program, the online master’s in forensic psychology is intended for those interested in working in the criminal justice system. Non-clinical internships may be completed near the student’s geographic location. Admission to the program requires an earned bachelor’s from an accredited institution, but does not require GRE or GMAT exam scores. Northcentral is recognized by major publications like U.S. News and World Report as a top national institution.
National University
Online Master of Forensic Sciences
La Jolla, California
Graduate Tuition/Fees for 2019-20: $15,480
National University offers a graduate degree closely related to an accredited forensic psychology master’s online. The master’s in forensic sciences explores topics and research techniques designed for individuals entering the field of forensics as investigators, law enforcement, and other professionals. All classes are delivered online and are taught by university professors. Some of the courses offered include criminal profiling, forensic pathology, forensic psychology, major case investigation and a supervised research project. Two specialization areas are also available and designed to meet the needs of students who want to tailor their degree toward focused career goals. These specializations include criminalistics and investigation. Admission to the program requires an earned bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university and a satisfactory undergraduate GPA.
Capella University
Online Master’s in Clinical Psychology – Forensic Psychology
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Graduate Tuition/Fees for 2019-20: $15,233
The Harold Abel School of Social and Behavioral Science at Capella University offers an accredited online forensic psychology master’s degree program designed to equip students to explore research and evidence-based practices in criminal behavior and forensic psychology. The program requires eleven courses, which include foundations of theory and practice, introduction to psychopathology, tests and measurement, theories of counseling and psychotherapy, and survey of research methods. All classes are taught by experienced professors with experience in the field. Several specialization courses are also offered so that students may delve into an area of research interest or tailor their degree toward career goals. Admission to the program requires an earned bachelor’s from an accredited college or university and an undergraduate GPA of 2.3 or higher on a 4.0 scale.
Walden University
Online Master’s in Forensic Psychology
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Graduate Tuition/Fees for 2019-20: $12,539
One of the most affordable accredited forensic psychology master’s online programs on our list is offered by Walden University. The program offers ten focused forensic psychology specializations designed to meet personal interests or career goals. Some of the specializations include family violence, police psychology, sex offender behavior and terrorism. While not a licensure program, students may take courses that do prepare them for entry into a licensure program. Courses are delivered online and taught by Walden’s experienced professors. These courses include abnormal behavior, criminal behavior, criminal investigative analysis and profiling, and understanding forensic psychology research. A research project or field experience are also required.
University of North Dakota
Online Master’s in Forensic Psychology
Grand Forks, North Dakota
Graduate Tuition/Fees for 2019-20: In-state: $12,058; Out-of-state: $19,958
The University of North Dakota offers an online master’s in forensic psychology program designed for students who want to pursue advanced careers in criminal and forensic psychology. A total of 35 credits are required to complete the two-year degree program. Classes are delivered online and serve as preparation for entry into a doctoral degree program. Some of the courses offered include advanced pathology, advanced social psychology, diversity psychology, foundations of forensic psychology, psychological profiling and criminal behavior, and psychology and the law. Several special topics courses are also available and explore highly focused areas of study like eyewitness testimony and psychopharmacology. Admission requirements include a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution, a cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or better, a professional resume, and submission of three letters of recommendation. The GRE is not required for the online master’s in forensic psychology program.
Grand Canyon University
Online Master’s in Psychology – Forensic Psychology
Phoenix, Arizona
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $11,074
One of the top accredited forensic psychology master’s online programs on our list is the master of science in psychology with an emphasis in forensic psychology from Grand Canyon University. The program can be completed entirely online and is designed to provide a comprehensive look at human psychology and the study of society’s response to criminal behavior. Course topics include criminal behavior theories, ethical issues in psychology, psychology and the legal system, rehabilitation and reintegration, social and cultural psychology, and statistics and research methods. Most classes run eight weeks in length and move at a rigorous pace. Admission requirements include an earned bachelor’s from an accredited institution, official transcripts, and a complete application. The program is accredited but is not considered a licensure degree.
University of Louisiana at Monroe
Online Master’s in Psychology – Forensic Psychology
Monroe, Louisiana
Graduate Tuition/Fees for 2019-20: In-state: $9,239; Out-of-state: $21,339
The University of Louisiana offers an accredited forensic psychology master’s online program that allows students to specialize in this highly focused area of psychology. The program is fully online and offers courses taught by university professors. Some of the courses required include advanced theories of crime and delinquency, counseling in criminal law, and psychological assessment. A thesis option is not required; however, students planning to pursue a PhD are encouraged to complete a thesis. The program requires competitive admission stipulations, including an earned bachelor’s from an accredited institution and an undergraduate GPA of 2.75 or better. GRE scores are also required and must meet a combined score of 290 or formula score of 800. GRE score requirements may change from year to year, so it is important to check the program’s website before applying.
University of Central Florida
Online Master’s in Forensic Science
Orlando, Florida
Graduate Tuition/Fees for 2019-20: In-state: $8,872; Out-of-state: $27,715
While most online forensic psychology master’s degree programs emphasize research and theory in the field of psychology, a degree in forensic science exposes students to a wider range of topics. From forensic analysis to psychology, students gain a broad view of forensics designed to equip them for careers as forensic psychiatrists, forensic psychologists or forensic scientists. All classes are delivered online and taught by university professors with years of experience working and researching in the field of forensics and forensic psychology. Admission to this accredited program requires an earned bachelor’s or master’s degree from an accredited college or university, official transcripts and official GRE scores.
Saint Leo University
Online Master’s in Criminal Justice – Forensic Science
Saint Leo, Florida
Graduate Tuition/Fees for 2019-20: $7,296
One alternative to the online master’s in forensic psychology is the study of forensic science and how it relates to the overall field of criminal justice. Such a degree is available from Saint Leo University’s School of Education and Social Services. The criminal justice core requires a total of 18 credits, while the forensic science specialization requires 12 credits. Typical courses include advanced forensic science, ethical issues in criminal justice administration, leadership applications in criminal justice, psychological aspects of critical incidents, and research methods. For those interested in forensic psychology, several courses covering criminal behavior, assessment and psychological aspects are offered. Admission to the program requires an earned and accredited bachelor’s degree from a college or university and a satisfactory undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or better.
Arizona State University Digital Immersion
Online Master’s in Forensic Psychology
Tempe, Arizona
Graduate Tuition/Fees for 2019-20: $6,592
The online forensic psychology master’s degree program at Arizona State University is one of the top forensic psychology programs in the country. Students take classes from one of the nation’s top-ranked psychology departments and work with professors who instruct at one of the top-tier research universities. A total of 11 classes are required, each running 7.5 weeks in length. Some of the courses offered include advanced forensic psychology, advanced legal psychology, quantitative research methodology and statistics, and seminar in courts and sentencing. Admission requirements include an earned bachelor’s or master’s degree in psychology, or closely related field, from a regionally accredited college or university and an undergraduate GPA of 3.0. GRE scores and two letters of recommendation are also required.
Note: All schools shown here have been contacted and informed of their inclusion on this list. Schools that do not wish to be featured are immediately removed. School names are the registered trademarks of their original owners. The use of any trade name or trademark does not imply any association with the school. All tuition and fee data is from the National Center of Education Statistics (NCES) based on the latest data available as of February 2021, which is 2019-20 data.
(Tuition data provided by College Scorecard and the National Center for Education Statistics, services of the U.S. Department of Education.)
