Master of Science in Psychology with an Emphasis in Forensic Psychology
Overview
The Psychology of Criminal Behavior and Rehabilitation
Study human psychology and the role it plays in criminal behavior, our legal system and rehabilitation through the Master of Science in Psychology with an Emphasis in Forensic Psychology program at Grand Canyon University.
This advanced forensic psychology degree program is available through the College of Humanities and Social Sciences as a comprehensive look at human psychology and our society's response to criminal behavior. Use research and statistical analysis to help you understand current legal system initiatives, policies and ethical practices. Explore ways to improve our current systems of justice and human rehabilitation.
Improved critical thinking, leadership and analysis skills can help you understand the current and future implications of criminal behavior along with an exploration of strategies to improve crime rates through successful rehabilitation and reintegration of criminals into society.
Degree Outcomes
Psychology and Analysis of Human Behavior
Through peer discussion, collaboration, self-directed research and writing, you can identify trends or issues correlated between human behavior and criminal activity. A capstone project at the end of your Master of Science in Psychology with an Emphasis in Forensic Psychology program can help prepare you for a prospective career or advanced learning through research of occupations and experts in forensic-related fields (legal staff, police officer, security and corrections personnel, private investigator, etc.).
What You Will Learn
The "How" and "Why" Behind Criminal Behavior
Apply the statistical and analytical studies of forensic psychology to advance your knowledge of criminal activity, local and national legal system laws and practices. Course topics include:
- Ethical issues in psychology
- Criminal behavior theories
- Social and cultural psychology
- Psychology and the legal system
- Statistics and research methods
- Rehabilitation and reintegration
Career Outcomes
Government and Law Enforcement Careers
Many government and law enforcement agencies employ forensic psychologists to study criminal behavior and identify possible trends. Others in this discipline conduct research as a means toward recommending rules or initiatives for reforming current laws and practices. The MS in psychology with an emphasis in forensic psychology can prepare you for further education through a doctorate degree in psychology (PhD) or within education (EdD or EdS).
Course List
Program Core Courses
Course Description
This course is designed to prepare students for the graduate learning experience at Grand Canyon University. Students have opportunities to develop and strengthen the skills necessary to succeed as graduate students in the liberal arts. Emphasis is placed on utilizing the tools for graduate success.
Course Description
This course serves as the foundation for advanced graduate study in the field of psychology. Professional skill development, such as critical thinking, scholarly writing, and literature reviewing are covered, as well as contemporary ethical issues in the field of psychology, including issues in research, writing, psychotherapy, forensic psychology, and animal research.
Course Description
This course is a study of social, group, and multicultural factors affecting individual behavior. Attention is given to the development of attitudes, leadership roles, group thinking, sources of conflict, altruism, attraction, effects of competition and cooperation, analysis and evaluation of propaganda techniques, and the influence of mass communication on social awareness and control.
Course Description
This course explores classic and contemporary theories of crime causation, including psychological, developmental, and social causes of crime and theories of punishment.
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.
Course Description
This course provides a study of theories of probability, descriptive and inferential analyses of data, and testing of statistical hypotheses. Practical experience is provided in the application of statistical methods.
Course Description
This course emphasizes both the theoretical and applied aspects of experimental design and research methodology at the graduate level, including qualitative, quantitative, and mixed designs.
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.
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.
Course Description
This course prepares students to enter their prospective career and/or continue their education in psychology. Students will explore occupations and leaders in the various psychological fields, formulate and compile their experiences and achievements, and construct a roadmap for success. Original research ideas will be solidified and presented.
Program Locations
Online
Evening
* 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 graduated between 7/1 – 6/30 of the preceding year. The On-Time Completion rate is determined by the number of students in the cohort who completed the program within the published program length divided by the number of students in the cohort who graduated.
Online and Evening program disclosures (20 month program)* Please refer to the Academic Catalog for more information. Program subject to change.