Forensic Psychology combines psychology and criminal justice principles.
Students who graduate from a Forensic Psychology program are equipped with the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in the court justice system by applying scientific principles.
An online bachelor’s degree in Forensic Psychology can be a good starting point for those who want to become forensic psychologists.
Forensic psychologists also need a master’s or a doctoral degree before being ready to practice, but a bachelor’s degree in this field can also lead to different career paths in the criminal justice system.
Working adults who want to earn a degree at their own pace have the option of enrolling at an online Bachelors in Forensic Psychology.
Our list below compiles information about 11 of the best programs in this field.
Arizona State University
With over 80,000 students and more than 130 years of history, Arizona State University is one of the largest universities in the United States.
Arizona State University offers an online bachelor’s degree in Forensic Psychology for students who want to start a career in Counseling, Criminal Investigation, Corrections, or Neuropsychology.
The university offers a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Science in Psychology with specializations in Forensic Psychology.
The B.A. program’s curriculum is focused on law enforcement, legal decision-making, criminal behavior, and mental disorders while the B.S. program focuses on the scientific aspects of law and psychology.
Students need 120 credit hours for graduation.
Official WebsiteEastern Kentucky University
Eastern Kentucky University offers multiple undergraduate, graduate, associate, certificate and doctoral programs, including several online degree programs that cover eight-week terms.
This veteran-friendly university grants flat tuition rates and offers mentorship for students through their PASS tutoring program.
The university also offers a fully online Bachelor’s degree in Psychology with a concentration in Forensic Psychology.
Students have to complete 120 credit hours to earn the degree.
The curriculum includes topics such as Biological Basis of Behavior, Abnormal Psychology, and Psychology of Personality, Forensic Psychology, and Social Psychology.
Eastern Kentucky University is accredited by the Southern Association of Schools and Colleges- Commission on Colleges.
Official WebsiteSouthern New Hampshire University
One of the fastest-growing universities in the United States, Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) teaches more than 90,000 students and offers over 200 online programs with affordable tuition rates.
The school’s educational offer includes a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology that offers students the possibility of choosing a concentration in Forensic Psychology.
This online program covers subjects on Criminal Profiling, Sociology of Crime and Violence, and Abnormal Psychology.
Students enrolled in this program have to complete six credit hours for core courses, like Criminal and Forensic Psychology and a total of 120 credits to earn the degree.
Southern New Hampshire University is based in Manchester, New Hampshire and was founded in 1932.
Official WebsiteNew England College
Founded in 1946 to give education to the service members from World War II, New England College is a non-profit, private college that offers 50 undergraduate, graduate and doctoral programs.
The College also offers a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a concentration in Forensic Psychology that covers topics such as Forensic Psychology, Victimology, and Criminal Investigations.
To graduate, students have to complete 16 credits for the concentration courses and 48 credits for electives.
The school offers seven start dates with each class being completed in seven-week terms.
Online students need confirmation for attendance during the first week.
New England College is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education.
Official WebsiteFaulkner University
With campuses in Montgomery, Mobile, Birmingham, and Huntsville, Faulkner University is a Christian liberal arts university that promotes intellectual growth while also focusing on its students’ characters.
Faulkner University offers an online Bachelor of Science in Forensic Psychology, structured as a program that combines psychology courses, such as Criminal Behavior Analysis, Social Psychology, Criminology, Industrial-Organizational Psychology, and Conflict Management with forensic elective courses like Criminal Law, Juvenile Justice, and Crime Scene Investigation.
Prospective students can apply for free to this entirely online program.
To graduate, students must complete 121 credit hours, including Christian Literacy and Cultural Heritage core courses.
Official WebsiteNorthwest Christian University
Established as the Eugene Divinity School in 1895, the Northwest Christian University now offers more than 30 undergraduate, graduate and certificate programs.
The school provides an online Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology with a concentration in Forensic Psychology.
As part of this program, students take classes in General Psychology and Criminal Justice, but also basic courses in Biology, Sociology, and Anthropology.
Students can choose between six start dates.
Courses are available online 24/7, so students can complete the coursework at their own pace.
Northwest Christian University is regionally accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.
Official WebsiteUnion Institute and University
Founded in 1964 as the Union for Research and Experimentation in Higher Education, Union Institute and University is a private, coeducational institution with a main campus located in Cincinnati, Ohio and satellite campuses in Florida and California.
Its baccalaureate, masters and doctoral programs are offered either entirely online or as a hybrid.
Union Institute and University provides several online programs designed for busy working adults.
The university’s bachelor’s degree in Psychology gives students the option to earn a degree with a concentration in Forensic Psychology, Holistic Studies or Addictions Studies.
The program requires 120 semester hours for graduation.
Official WebsiteFlorida Institute of Technology
Founded in 1958 with the aim of providing education for working adults, the Florida Institute of Technology now provides several programs in a variety of fields, including Aviation, Engineering, Business, Psychology, Liberal Arts, Learn & Learn Six Sigma and Project Management.
The online Bachelors of Arts in Applied Psychology Forensic Psychology offered by the Florida Institute of Technology includes core classes in Psychology and five concentration electives, namely Forensic Clinical Psychology, Integrated Theories of Crime, Victim Studies, and Advocacy, Psychology of Leadership and Law and Psychology.
Courses are eight-weeks long.
The program also includes live chats, giving students the opportunity to engage in interactive discussions and collaborate with other online students.
Florida Institute of Technology is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Official WebsiteNational Louis University
Initially established as a school for early childhood development education, National Louis University has later expanded its programs to teach liberal arts and business administration students and now offers 60 career-focused programs in different academic fields.
The school’s educational offer includes a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice program that gives students the option of majoring in one of three fields: Criminal Justice Administration, Entrepreneurship and Forensic Social Justice.
The Forensic Social Justice track focuses on the Psychology of Criminal Investigation and Analysis.
The BA in Criminal Justice program requires 180 quarter hours for graduation.
Official WebsiteTrine University
Another great online program for those who want to study Forensic Psychology is the one offered by Trine University.
The program prepares students for a career in criminal justice or law school.
Students can choose between several concentrations, including Law Enforcement, Agency Administration, Addictions, Academic Training or Forensic/Correctional Psychology.
Although it is a Criminal Justice track, the program includes strong Psychology aspects in its core requirements.
Trine University offers both Forensic and Correctional Psychology as a concentration in a baccalaureate degree.
Trine University was originally designed as a Tri-State Normal College in 1884 because it was located near three states: Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio.
Since then, Trine University has expanded to include eight more sites and focuses on providing high-quality education to working professionals who want to earn a higher educational degree.
The university is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Official WebsitePurdue University Global
Purdue University Global is part of the Purdue University system and was established as a public university to provide programs and personalized online education for working students.
With 14 academic areas of study Purdue teaches about 29,000 students who work full time, serving the military and full-time parents.
The school’s educational offer includes a 180-credit Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice.
Students can choose between five-degree concentrations.
One of the concentrations included in this program is Forensic Psychology with classes like Abnormal Psychology, Psychology of Law Enforcement, and Crisis Intervention.
Students have the option of experiencing free three-week trial classes online and they can enroll for an accelerated program to shorten the pathway towards a master’s degree.
A capstone project is also required for graduation.
Official WebsiteFrequently Asked Questions
Q. What will I learn by attending a Bachelor’s degree program in Forensic Psychology?
A bachelor’s degree program in Forensic Psychology will teach you about psychology and the legal system.
These types of programs are designed for students who want to practice psychology in criminal, court, or justice systems.
During the program, students developt their critical thinking, investigatory, speaking and writing skills, learn how to keep their calm in stressful situations and find out more about peculiar behaviors.
All the above skills are very valuable for those who want to build a career in law enforcement, psychology or criminal justice.
Q. Is a Bachelor’s degree in Forensic Psychology relevant in today's society?
Forensic Psychology programs are designed not only to provide an understanding of each person’s behavior but also helps students learn how to deal with individuals who are involved in criminal cases.
For this reason, forensic psychologists will continue to be needed to understand criminal behavior and participate in solving criminal cases.
A forensic psychologist’s job duties generally include criminal profiling, assisting victims, and finding the right approach to prevent or resolve criminal issues that affect society.
A bachelor’s degree program in Forensic Psychology is a great first step for those who want to continue their studies and become forensic psychologists and for those who want to pursue other criminal justice careers.
Q. What jobs can I get with a Bachelor’s degree in Forensic Psychology?
Students who choose not to continue their education for a master’s or doctoral degree may find employment in Law Enforcement, Prisons, Private Investigations, Cybercrime, Crime Scene Investigation, and other related fields.
Graduates from a Forensic Psychology program can become law enforcement officers, forensic social workers, jury consultants, juvenile offenders counselors, probation officers or police detectives.
A Bachelor’s Degree in Forensic Psychology is also a great first step for those who wish to continue their education towards a doctoral or master’s degree.
Final Thoughts
If you want to become a Forensic Psychologist you can start your training with a Bachelor’s Degree in Forensic Psychology.
A degree in this field can also lead to numerous career options in criminal justice.
If you’re a busy person looking to harmonize family life, work-life and student life, we have good news for you.
Many universities offer their students the option of earning a degree in Forensic Psychology online, from the comfort of their homes.