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Graduate Certificate of Completion in Forensic Psychology

Offered By: College of Humanities and Social Sciences

Next Start Date:

Program Now Enrolling

Total Program Credits & Course Length:

Total Program Credits: 16
Online: 8 weeks

Transfer Credits:

Up to 12 credits or 1/3 of the program

Program Tuition Rate:

Online: $500 per credit. [More Info]

As part of our commitment to keeping tuition rates competitive, GCU has kept campus tuition costs frozen since 2009. While the cost per credits are listed below, the average campus student pays only $8,300 per year* in tuition after institutional scholarships and grants. Speak with your university counselor for more information about estimating the costs of attending GCU.

Tuition	Credits	2016-17
Traditional Undergraduate	1-11 credits	$687.50 per credit
Traditional Undergraduate	12-18 credits	$8,250 per semester
Traditional Undergraduate	19+ credits (semester rate +)	$8,250 + $687.50 per credit above 18 credits
Summer Traditional Undergraduate (Except Nursing Cohorts)*		$310 per credit
Graduate Programs**

*No in-state/out-of-state rates

*Traditional students taking courses in the online format will be charged the regular tuition rates.

*Traditional students are required to take a minimum of nine (9) credits in the traditional campus format.

**$390 graduate tuition is only for traditional daytime students attending master's programs on the West Phoenix main campus.

It is the policy of GCU to collect and remit sales, use, excise and/or gross receipts taxes in compliance with state and local taxing jurisdiction regulations, which require the university to remit tax where applicable. Regulations vary by student location. Payment of tax is ultimately the student's financial responsibility to the university regardless of financing arrangements. Per Hawaii requirements: It is hereby stated that students residing in the State of Hawaii will be charged Hawaii General Excise Tax on all transactions. Students living in the District of Oahu will be charged 4.712 percent. Students residing in other Hawaii districts will be charged 4.1666 percent.

GCU's non-traditional tuition rates are for students who are interested in pursuing an online degree program or taking evening classes. Speak with your university counselor to learn more about your opportunities for scholarships off tuition through GCU's educational alliances or to find out about options for continuing education for teachers.

Undergraduate Tuition	2016-17
Education Programs	$440
Theology Programs	$355
Applied Business Analytics / Applied Business Information Systems/ Business Information Systems/ Computer Programming / Information Technology Programs	$449
Business Administration with an Emphasis in Business Intelligence	$470
Online and Professional Studies (all programs other than those listed above)	$470
Active Duty and Active Reserve (online and professional studies)	$250

Graduate Tuition	2016-17
Education Programs	$515
Continuing Education for Teachers	$150
Master of Divinity	$330
Business Programs (Excludes Business Analytics / Information Systems and Technology Management)	$560
Nursing Programs	$500
Advanced Practice Nursing Programs	$610
Business Analytics / Information Systems and Technology Management Programs	$489
Online and Professional Studies (all programs other than those listed above)	$500
Doctoral Programs (includes dissertation courses DIS-966 to DIS-970)	$640
Active Duty and Active Reserve (online and professional studies)	$400
Active Duty and Active Reserve (doctoral programs)	$608

Overview

Explore the Psychology of Crime

The Graduate Certificate of Completion in Forensic Psychology program is offered through the College of Humanities and Social Sciences and is designed for individuals who have earned a bachelor's degree in psychology, sociology, criminal justice, nursing or a similar field who want to study criminal behavior.

You will be prepared to critically think about legal issues and policies relating to criminality with an emphasis on protecting the community, rehabilitating offenders, providing restitution to victims and promoting crime awareness. Biological, genetic and chemical factors are factors in criminal behavior, and this forensic psychology certificate program helps you understand society’s role in fostering, preventing and solving criminal behavior in the future.

Degree Outcomes

Understand Sociological Factors in Crime

Explore current criminal and psychological theories of criminal behavior and its impact on both individuals and communities, as well as public policies and research methods used to successfully integrate individuals with criminal backgrounds back into society. Develop strong criminal justice ethics and engage in a deeper examination of diversity issues related to crime and society.

By studying and analyzing theories, case studies and sociological factors behind criminal behavior, you gain an understanding of successful crime-prevention strategies to help you develop initiatives, policies and best practices. Psychological, environment and social theories behind crime causation are studied, along with the role our court system, government entities and individuals themselves play in criminal behavior and prevention.

What You Will Learn

Apply Theories to Real-Life Case Studies

Course topics include:

Theories of criminal behavior
Psychology and the legal system
Psychopathology
Rehabilitation and reintegration

Career Outcomes

Find a Career in Law Enforcement and Criminal Forensics

In addition to serving as a stepping stone to a variety of graduate degrees, the forensic psychology certificate is well-suited for forensic-related jobs throughout the government and education sectors, including law enforcement, criminology and university-level instructor.

Course List

The programs offered at Grand Canyon University may vary by content and course length. You are currently viewing the program version available in Arizona. In order to view the specific course content and credit length available for your state, please contact a counselor at 1-855-GCU-LOPE or click here to request more information.

Major:

16 credits

Total Degree Requirements:

16 credits

Program Core Courses

PSY-620: Theories of Criminal Behavior Total Credits: 4 credits

Course Description

This course explores classic and contemporary theories of crime causation, including psychological, developmental, and social causes of crime and theories of punishment.

PSY-621: Psychology and the Legal System Total Credits: 4 credits

Course Description

This course provides a psychological perspective for understanding legal issues, an examination of the various roles, functions, strategies, and interagency relationships of the courts, government entities, elements of the crime, and the individual as it relates to due process within the context of crime control.

PSY-622: Psychopathology of Crime Total Credits: 4 credits

Course Description

This course requires students to comprehensively examine various psychopathologies behind criminal behavior. Topics such as biological, genetic, neurochemical, cognitive, and sociological factors underlying criminal behavior will be examined. A focus will be placed on addiction, brain imaging, and future biopsychosocial research.

PSY-623: Offender Rehabilitation and Reintegration Total Credits: 4 credits

Course Description

This course examines various approaches to rehabilitative treatments in offender populations. A close look at rehabilitative methods within sex offenders, drug offenders, white collar criminals, cyber criminals, female offenders, juveniles, and mentally ill populations will be taken. Students will examine public policy and research based methods for successful prevention and community reintegration.

Program Locations

Online

Pursue a next-generation education with an online degree from Grand Canyon University. Earn your degree with convenience and flexibility with online courses that let you study anytime, anywhere. GCU offers the most experienced leadership in delivering online degree programs. Full-time faculty members and fully trained adjunct instructors, equipped with strong academic backgrounds and practical experience in their fields, support you every step of the way. Designed with the career-oriented professional in mind, our online classes provide an intimate environment that stimulates engaging and challenging discussions. Choose from programs across our distinct colleges, in high-demand employment areas. Classes begin frequently.

Evening

Grand Canyon University’s evening programs cater to the demands of working professionals who prefer an in-person learning environment. Our night classes meet just once per week and offer the interaction and discussion of a typical college classroom. Night classes are designed for a specific number of students, providing a warm and nurturing environment that supports an engaging experience. In an evening cohort, you will progress through your degree program with the same career-minded classmates, providing an opportunity to network and forge relationships that go beyond the classroom. Classes begin frequently at various locations, including our main campus.

* The Department of Education defines how an institution must calculate a program's On-Time Completion rate for federal disclosure purposes. The On-Time Completion rate is based on a program's published required number of months to complete all degree requirements as provided in the institution's catalog. Completion statistics are updated every January and are based on the cohort of students who started the program in the same year and then graduated within the published program length.

* Please refer to the Academic Catalog for more information. Program subject to change.

1-855-GCU-LOPE

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Graduate Certificate of Completion in Forensic Psychology

Traditional On-Campus Tuition

Non-Traditional Tuition (Online and Evening Students)

Overview

Explore the Psychology of Crime

Degree Outcomes

Understand Sociological Factors in Crime

What You Will Learn

Apply Theories to Real-Life Case Studies

Career Outcomes

Find a Career in Law Enforcement and Criminal Forensics

Course List

Program Core Courses

PSY-620: Theories of Criminal Behavior Total Credits: 4 credits

Course Description

PSY-621: Psychology and the Legal System Total Credits: 4 credits

Course Description

PSY-622: Psychopathology of Crime Total Credits: 4 credits

Course Description

PSY-623: Offender Rehabilitation and Reintegration Total Credits: 4 credits

Course Description

Program Locations

Online

Evening