Online Master's in Psychology: Forensic Psychology Emphasis
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The Master of Science in Psychology with an Emphasis in Forensic Psychology at Grand Canyon University is a graduate degree program that provides a thorough grounding in the advanced principles of human psychology, criminal behavior and societal responses to criminal behavior. This degree is ideally suited for individuals who have a background in psychology or criminal justice and who wish to focus their career on criminal behavior theories and victimology.
The legal system depends on skilled professionals dedicated to making communities safer. Forensic psychologists fulfill a critical role in the criminal justice system. At the intersection of psychology, law and criminal justice, this specialization involves the application of scientific principles to the legal process.1
Estimated job growth rate for all types of psychologists from 2023 to 20332
Throughout this degree program, you will have opportunities to acquire a framework of statistical analysis and research skills that can be applied to timely and relevant topics in criminal behavior. The curriculum covers current legal system programs, policies and ethical practices. It encourages you to proactively improve criminal justice processes and human rehabilitation. This online master’s degree focuses on the main objectives of the profession: to reduce crime rates and successfully rehabilitate criminals, helping them become productive members of society.
Pursue an MS in Psychology Online
This master’s degree in criminal behavior is offered online so you can pursue your advanced degree with added flexibility and convenience. At GCU, we focus on providing all our students with access to the resources they need to balance both academics and personal commitments.
You will have access to the following:
Specialized Psychology Program Options Focused on Your Interests
At GCU, our Master of Science in Psychology offers a variety of emphases to help you specialize in a particular area of psychology. Our psychology master's programs can help you prepare for a career in a variety of industries by teaching core competencies in the field. Discover our other areas of emphasis.
As a student of criminal behavior and psychological assessment, you will be introduced to the biological, genetic, neurochemical, cognitive and sociological factors that underlie criminal behavior. The program also includes an examination of public policy and research-based methods for community reintegration of offenders, with a particular emphasis on sex offenders, drug offenders, female offenders, juveniles and mentally ill offenders.
The program entails the following essential objectives:
This specialization in psychology may be an ideal career path for those who desire to make a positive difference in their communities. An online master’s degree with an emphasis in forensic psychology may open the door to career possibilities in government agencies such as law enforcement agencies.
These professionals may work directly with police officers and investigators, victims of crimes, criminal offenders, attorneys and corrections officials. Some forensic psychologists work as researchers seeking to enhance the profession’s understanding of criminal behavior and the criminal mind.
Upon graduating with your master’s in psychology, you may choose to enhance your career qualifications by pursuing a doctoral degree.
Forensic psychologists are needed across a range of settings, including:3,4
Rehabilitation centers
Police departments
Law firms
Prisons
Private practices
Courthouses
Educational institutions
GCU is dedicated to preparing graduates to tackle modern challenges with innovation and integrity. Since 1968, GCU has been institutionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and prioritizes educational quality. The College of Humanities and Social Sciences shares the university’s commitment to upholding the principles and standards established by our accrediting bodies.
Forensic Psychology Emphasis FAQs
If you have questions about pursuing a master’s degree, explore our responses to these frequently asked questions about psychology and forensics education to help you make an informed decision.
If you have an interest in applying psychological expertise and research skills to legal matters, then earning a master’s degree in psychology with a focus on criminal behavior may be worth your consideration. Individuals with this type of academic background may consider pursuing any number of careers, such as those that aim to protect abused children, contribute to the body of research in the field, reduce the risk of recidivism and, in general, work toward keeping communities safe.3
Popular TV shows and movies may depict forensic psychologists visiting actual crime scenes to analyze evidence and the scene itself. In actuality, forensic psychologists typically do not need to visit the scenes of crimes. Occasionally, they might look at crime scene photos or perhaps visit the scene of the crime if seeing it would offer more information on their assessment.5
Career requirements can vary, depending on exactly what type of career you wish to pursue in this subfield. For instance, if you would like to work as a victim advocate, you might only need a master’s in psychology.6 If you would like to pursue licensure and board certification as a psychologist, a doctoral degree in psychology is typically needed.6
Yes. If you’re passionate about reducing crime and helping victims find justice, this could be a fulfilling career path for you. Forensic psychology often creates a number of diverse opportunities in the criminal justice and legal fields. You may have the opportunity to work with attorneys on psychological research, advise on interrogation techniques or support victims, which may be ideal for those who enjoy problem-solving, applying psychological principles and making a positive impact in the justice system.
While the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) does not provide job growth data for forensic psychologists specifically, it does report projected job growth of 7% for psychologists in general from 2023 to 2033.4 This indicates an estimated total of about 14,000 new job openings for psychologists during this time period.4
- American Psychological Association. (2013, September). What Is Forensic Psychology? Retrieved Sept. 26, 2024.
- COVID-19 has adversely affected the global economy and data from 2020 and 2023 may be atypical compared to prior years. The pandemic may impact the predicted future workforce outcomes indicated by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics as well. Accordingly, data shown is effective August 2024, which can be found here: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Psychologists, retrieved Sept. 26, 2024.
- American Psychological Association. (2014). A Career in Forensic and Public Service Psychology. Retrieved Sept. 26, 2024.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2024, Aug. 29). Psychologists: Work Environment. Occupational Outlook Handbook. Retrieved Oct. 1, 2024.
- Kovacs, K. (2024, Aug. 20). What Is Forensic Psychology? Psychology.org. Retrieved Sept. 26, 2024.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2024, Aug. 29). Psychologists: How To Become a Psychologist. Occupational Outlook Handbook. Retrieved Oct. 1, 2024.