Online Bachelor's in Forensic Psychology Degree

Ready to use your love of psychology to make a difference in your community? Build a foundation to apply the science of the mind in the court system, corrections, social services, and private sector.

Maryville University’s online Bachelor of Arts in Forensic Psychology program can help you develop the skills and experience to blend psychology and criminal justice and put you on a path to advancement.

With experiential learning opportunities and coursework in three distinct areas — psychology, criminal justice, and social science — our program is designed to give you a comprehensive understanding of the modern forensic psychology landscape. If you’re brave enough to pursue a career in this exciting field, we’re here to help you build your foundation and prepare for success.

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Benefit from psychology coursework designed to meet American Psychological Association standards

Choose to start in fall, spring, or summer

Apply with no application fees and entrance exam

Explore financial aid and eligible transfer credit options

Eligible for Early Access – get a head start on your graduate degree

Why Choose Maryville for Your Forensic Psychology Degree?

Since 1872, Maryville University has built a reputation of academic excellence because of our commitment to our students. We focus on teaching first and foremost, and employ renowned faculty who value experiential learning, especially in the forensic psychology program.

As part of this human services program, you can serve your community — and build valuable professional experience — by completing a 135-hour internship in your area. You can explore a wide range of applications for psychological expertise, like probation and corrections, substance abuse clinics, and government agencies.

You’ll also have the opportunity to team up with a faculty member and your fellow students to take part in a research project while completing your degree. It’s a firsthand look at how the fields of psychology and criminal justice are progressing.

Why Maryville?

Maryville meets high standards:

Maryville University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission

Career Opportunities with a Forensic Psychology Degree

Because forensic psychology has applications in many areas, the job prospects are broad and varied. Forensic specialists are on the front lines of important cases, working closely with victims and offenders, and conducting valuable research used by law enforcement.

Some common roles and median salaries for the degree include*:

Community and social service specialist

$43,120

Probation officer or correctional treatment specialist

$50,160

Social and community service manager

$64,680

Social science research assistant

$43,190

*Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Earning potential for graduates with a bachelor’s in social sciences is on the rise, with starting salaries increasing 14% from 2015 to 2016.^**

**Source: NACE Spring 2017 Salary Survey

Build the Skills to Succeed in Forensic Psychology

Our degree in forensic psychology blends the foundational social sciences such as human development, sociology, and various disciplines of psychology with professional skills such as critical thinking, research methodology, and criminal theory and investigation, and psychological testing.

Students complete a 135-hour internship in their chosen setting, as well as a senior project capstone experience — both of which help prepare you for the world of psychology and criminal justice.

That means you get to explore an area of interest hands-on — whether it’s behavioral research, criminology, psychotherapy, corrections, or rehabilitation — and start learning what it takes to succeed in that role while also building valuable experience for your resume.

Bachelor of Arts in Forensic Psychology/Criminal Justice Curriculum

With applications in so many areas of the legal and criminal justice system, a diverse foundation of forensic and psychological knowledge is paramount. At Maryville University, we offer online psychology programs designed for the forensic scope and beyond. This program can be completed in less than two years for full-time students with eligible transfer credits, and includes a senior research project and 135 hours of practicum experience. With flexible and industry-relevant coursework, our bachelor’s degree in forensic psychology curriculum can help you expand your psychology knowledge and familiarize yourself with policing, law, corrections, and social services.

Maryville’s online forensic psychology degree includes electives and courses in general education, psychology, and criminal justice, in addition to a social science research sequence and internship.

Psychology Core Courses — Strengthen your understanding of human psychology through a series of courses in critical thinking, abnormal psychology, social psychology, testing, forensic psychology, cognition, and more.

Criminal Justice Core Courses — Learn the principles of criminal justice theory and procedure with a series of courses covering topics like social connections, criminal behavior, police psychology, juvenile delinquency, investigations, and multicultural issues.

Social Science Research Sequence — The social science research sequence includes a series of courses designed to help students emerge with an inter-connected understanding of how to craft research, analyze results and present findings.

Internship — Personalize your internship based on your specific area of interest.

Electives — Round out and customize your education with your choice of electives.

Get started on your graduate education with Early Access

At Maryville University, you can get a head start on your graduate degree while earning your bachelor’s in forensic psychology through our Early Access program.

With Early Access, you can earn up to 12 credits that count toward your master’s degree and your bachelor’s. Credits you earn through Early Access are charged at the undergraduate tuition rate, meaning you can save time and money on your graduate education.

To qualify for Early Access, you must be a current Maryville undergraduate student, and you must have completed at least 75 credit hours with a GPA of 3.25 or better.

If you qualify and you have not yet completed your elective requirements, we invite you to contact your academic advisor to explore Early Access and learn more about some of our exciting online graduate programs.

You can get more out of your bachelor’s in forensic psychology by pairing it with one of the following master’s degrees:

Master’s in Health Administration (MHA): Choose from four concentrations: Senior Services, Population Management, Data Management, and Healthcare Strategies.

Master’s in Business Administration (MBA): Tailor this program to align with your career goals. Select from twelve concentrations, including Health Administration and General Management.

Master of Arts in Management and Leadership: This program is designed to help you prepare for a senior-level management position in your desired field.

Master of Arts in Strategic Communication and Leadership: Learn to lead through an immersive curriculum that gives you the opportunity to study theory, gain practical experience, and earn relevant professional certifications.

Apply to the online bachelor’s in forensic psychology degree program at Maryville University.

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Online Forensic Psychology Bachelor’s Degree