Forensic psychology refers to the intersection of law, human behavior and thought. Professionals in this field use their expertise to assess individuals and provide psychological insights in civil and criminal matters. Your work in this field can influence law enforcement, courtroom operations and correctional facility functions.
This discipline has broad relevance for individuals working in these fields, as well as those with careers in investigations and mental health. Forensic psychologists may be responsible for determining the impact of biases on courts and conducting assessments to determine whether individuals are of sound mind.
The skills you’ll develop
This program provides an understanding of how mental health and human behavior relate to crime and the legal field. You’ll study topics such as criminal law and criminal behavior and explore the processes behind legal decision-making.
Upon graduation, you’ll be skilled in:
- Applying and understanding behavioral research.
- Bridging knowledge between the legal and mental health fields.
- Observing, measuring and analyzing human behavior.
- Utilizing research to enforce policy decisions.
Forensic psychologists must have a doctoral degree and typically complete a post-doctoral fellowship. This master’s degree in forensic psychology can prepare you for certain doctoral programs. However, other programs may require an advanced research background to earn a doctorate. If you want to pursue a doctoral degree, make sure this program is a good fit for future programs you’re considering.
Criminal psychology vs forensic psychology: The differences between the two
While the fields of criminal psychology and forensic psychology both work with law enforcement to aid in criminal investigations, their roles feature key differences.
Professionals within the field of criminal psychology counsel and develop psychological profiles on criminals to understand motivations and diagnose mental health conditions. They may also provide expert testimony in the courtroom for criminal cases.
Differently, forensic psychology encompasses the broad field of psychology within the criminal justice system. Forensic psychologists work with law enforcement to integrate psychology with all legal matters, including civil cases. They commonly provide evaluation on witnesses, select juries and administer mental health evaluations.
Earning an online Master of Science in forensic psychology from Arizona State University can further your career in mental health and criminal justice. In this program, you’ll explore research methods, legal psychology and the treatment of mental disorders to learn how such issues connect with the legal system. This master’s degree provides a foundation for doctoral programs, which are required to become a forensic psychologist.
You’ll complete coursework covering a variety of topics, including forensic and legal psychology, mental disorders and criminal justice issues. An assortment of electives provide you with the ability to focus on specialized areas such as correctional psychology, women and crime, gangs and more.
Prepare for the full New College experience curated by world-renowned faculty who are some of the brightest, most innovative academic minds in the world. Areas of expertise include psychology, anthropology, geography, political science, cybersecurity, forensic science and more. Our faculty strives to create an environment that prepares students to take their place in the world using the skills they’ve learned to pursue careers that benefit their communities.
ASU is a global university recognized for its commitment to innovation, research and high-quality academic programs. Our university has been recognized with peer-reviewed honors from U.S. News & World Report.
in the U.S. for innovation for 11 consecutive years, ahead of Stanford and MIT
best online bachelor’s programs
best global universities
of graduates reported that their experiences at ASU inspired them to explore new career opportunities
Applicants to the master’s in forensic psychology program must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate School and the New College of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences.
Applicants are eligible to apply to the program if they’ve earned a bachelor's or master's degree in psychology, criminal justice, social science or a closely related field from a regionally accredited institution.
Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00="A") in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor's degree program, or applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00="A") in an applicable master's degree program.
The admissions committee reviews applications holistically and may consider applicants with a GPA below 3.00 if they’ve demonstrated a strong past performance in related coursework.
All applicants must submit
- Graduate admission application and application fee
- Official transcripts
- Personal statement
- One letter of recommendation
- Evidence of a completed psychology, social science or criminology research methods course
An applicant whose native language is not English (regardless of current residency) must provide proof of English proficiency.
No, Arizona State University’s diplomas don’t specify whether you earn your degree online or in person. All diplomas and transcripts simply say “Arizona State University.”