Is a PhD in your plan? You may be able to apply up to half your master’s coursework toward our PhD in Forensic Psychology program.
LEARN FROM EXPERTS
Our faculty includes notable forensic psychology practitioners and thought leaders, including consultant and author Dr. Eric Hickey.
APPLY WHAT YOU LEARN
Your MS in Forensic Psychology capstone or in-person field experience gives you a true glimpse into the criminal justice system.
PURSUE YOUR PASSION
Choose from the General Program or the Self-Designed specialization to tailor your degree to your professional interests.
Curriculum and Completion Requirements
In Walden’s online master’s in forensic psychology program, you’ll explore the biological, psychological, and social factors impacting criminal behavior. Evaluate different psychological approaches and their effectiveness in dealing with offenders.
Featured MS in Forensic Psychology Courses
Through collaborative research and action, community psychologists work to enhance the well-being of individuals and community by understanding how communities function on many different levels. Students in this course explore the fundamental concepts and practice of community psychology. They examine guiding values and assumptions of the field, basic ecological concepts, and models of intervention. Evaluating traditional and topical research, students explore diversity in community psychology, strategies for social change, primary and secondary prevention, community mental health, empowerment, stress, and resiliency. They also have the opportunity to assess and discuss their personal and professional experiences, values, and cultural background and consider how these factors are likely to influence their work as community psychologists.
What is the relationship between victims and those who commit crimes against them, and how does the criminal justice system protect and respond to victims of crime? In this course, students have the opportunity to answer such questions through a comprehensive assessment of victimology, a relatively new discipline in the field of criminal justice. Students examine victim patterns and tendencies and learn how victims interact with the police and the legal system. They also examine how factors of class, race, and sexual orientation affect the perception of the victim by different constituents, including the public, the court system, and the media. Students assess and discuss the concept of primary and secondary victims and gain practical insight on a range of services and resources available to all types of victims.
Students in this course learn about the various roles and responsibilities of forensic psychology professionals working with and in law enforcement, the structures and organizational cultures in which they work, and the skills needed to perform daily functions, such as counseling, consulting, training, and supporting law enforcement. Students analyze and discuss common issues and challenges, including crisis situations, psychological risks of law enforcement work, and the relationship of stress and performance, including resiliency and emotional intelligence. Engaging in assignments designed to provide application of content, students gain practical insight on a variety of topics, such as ethical, legal, and diversity issues, training and development, community impact, and forensic psychology operations.
Students in this course are provided with contemporary views, theories, and case-study analysis of maladaptive and criminal behavior, victimology, and victim-offender relationships. A broad conceptualization of criminal behavior, such as that woven from biological, sociological, and psychological perspectives is explored and evaluated. Theories of crime and the application of risk factors associated with criminal behavior are examined. Additionally, students will be exposed to specific offender groups, both violent and non-violent, including psychopaths, serial and mass murderers, criminal paraphiliacs, arsonists, white-collar thieves, scam artists, domestic terrorists, and others.
Understanding the characteristics and causes of atypical thoughts and actions—commonly known in mental health professions as abnormal behavior—is essential in determining accurate diagnoses, answering forensic referral questions, and planning effective treatment programs. In this course, students examine the history and evolution of abnormal psychology and how practitioners use contemporary diagnostic criteria of abnormal behavior in various settings, such as schools, rehabilitation facilities, community agencies, and forensic situations. They examine specific techniques for the diagnosis, assessment, and/or treatment of cognitive, emotional, and developmental disorders, as well as for psychophysiological and psychosocial problems. Using the scholar-practitioner model, students consider environmental and biological factors contributing to behavioral disorders. Students also investigate and discuss current and future trends, legal and ethical issues, and multicultural factors that complicate diagnosis and clinical assessment.
Admissions
You’ll work with an Enrollment Specialist who will personally guide you through the process—from finding the right program to funding your education.
Streamlined Admissions Process
Pursuing your online MS in Forensic Psychology degree is an exciting step forward in your journey. To make the admissions process easier, Walden offers:
No application fee
No essay or SAT/ACT/GRE requirement
Easy credit transfer
Program Admission Considerations: A bachelor's degree or higher.
General Admission Requirements: Completed online application and transcripts. Please note that the materials you are required to submit may vary depending on the academic program to which you apply. More information for international applicants.
Tuition and Scholarships
We believe you can achieve your goals—and we are here to support you along your journey. We know cost is important when you’re exploring MS in Forensic Psychology programs. Walden offers opportunities to lower your tuition through:
Experience-based credits
Believe & Achieve Scholarship®
Request information to learn more about scholarships and financial aid for those who apply and qualify.
Tuition Breakdown
TUITION & FEES
$29,220**
Tuition
$590 x 48 quarter credit hours
Program Fee
$180 per quarter
$28,320
$900
SCHOLARSHIP SAVINGS
TOTAL COST
*Represents minimum time to completion and Believe & Achieve Scholarship. Your actual total program time and costs may vary. Believe & Achieve Scholarship savings based on current tuition. See Scholarship Details for more information.
**Tuition reflects the minimum time to completion. Time to completion varies by student, depending on individual progress and credits transferred, if applicable. Tuition and time to complete may be reduced if transfer credits are accepted, or if you receive grants, scholarships or other tuition reductions. Walden may accept up to 24 transfer credits. For a personalized estimate of the number of your transfer credits that Walden would accept, call an Enrollment Specialist at 844-775-4075.
Tuition and fees are subject to change. Books and materials are not included and may cost between $2,500 to $3,500.
Stay Inspired. Stay on Track. Save Money.
Discover progress-based savings that inspire you to stay on track to graduation.
Career Opportunities
Psychologists are in demand, with employment expected to grow at a faster-than-average rate through 2032.
Psychologist
Forensic psychologists apply psychological principles in the legal and criminal justice system.
Expected growth: 6%1
Estimated annual wage: $47,450–$138,2801
1Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics | Job outlook | Estimated wage (as of May 2023)
No guarantee is made that a person who enrolls in the (include applicable program) program will obtain a job or will earn the stated salaries. Wage estimates are based on the 10th - 75th percentile.
Learning Outcomes
As a graduate of Walden’s online MS in Forensic Psychology program, you’ll be able to:
Analyze the role of psychology within the legal system.
Promote social change through application of advanced psychological concepts and principles within forensic settings.
Analyze the principles of research design as applied to forensic psychology research.
Distinguish the professional roles and responsibilities that are unique to the practice of forensic psychology.
Explain relevant ethical codes (e.g., the APA’s Specialty Guidelines for Forensic Psychologists) used in forensic work settings.
Apply psychological theories relevant to criminal behavior in forensic psychology settings.
Explain the assessment elements (psychological assessment, risk assessment, psychological reports) used within forensic psychology settings.
Meet Your Academic Team
Walden’s faculty includes psychology practitioners, researchers, and subject matter experts, all committed to helping you thrive in your program.
You Might Also Be Interested In
Explore other Walden degree programs related to psychology and criminal justice.
MS in Forensic Psychology FAQ
An MS in Forensic Psychology from Walden can give you the opportunity to apply psychological principles to understand criminal behavior, assess individuals involved in legal cases, and contribute to the administration of justice. Play a role in building safer, lower-crime communities through your work in law enforcement, corrections, the court system, or government agencies.
Jobs for psychologists are expected to grow 6% by 2032, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). An online MS in Forensic Psychology from Walden could help you open new doors to your future. You’ll have the skills and expertise needed to be an invaluable resource in many facets of the criminal justice system. Make a positive impact for individuals, families, and entire communities.
A forensic psychology professional applies psychological theory and practices to the criminal justice and legal system. They do this by evaluating criminal behavior in order to determine the motives and mindset of an offender. A forensic psychology professional often works with local law enforcement and many have a presence in the courtroom, providing testimony of their findings and assessment for a judge and jury. By uncovering a person’s mental state at the time of a crime, not only do forensic psychology professionals identify the drive behind the action, but they also may help prevent the same crimes from happening in the future. Walden’s online master’s in forensic psychology program equips you with the insights and practical skills you need to make a real impact in this captivating career field.
Many people study forensic psychology in hopes of effecting positive change for public policy and the justice system. Psychology is a window into understanding the root causes of crime and can reveal new, effective ways of dealing with offenders.
Whether you have a background in criminal investigation, social work, public safety, or research, a master’s in forensic psychology from Walden can broaden your understanding of critical issues like cybercrime, victim advocacy, and the socioeconomic conditions that impact criminal behavior. You’ll learn to apply psychological theories of criminal behavior to forensic settings and gain an understanding of the ethical codes used in forensic work.
Also, when you choose to earn your online MS in Forensic Psychology from Walden, up to half of the credits you earn can later be applied to a Walden PhD in Forensic Psychology. It’s a great way for lifelong learners to potentially save time and money while pursuing their doctorate.
You will encounter a number of interesting courses throughout Walden’s master’s in forensic psychology program. One such example is a course called Intersection of Crime, Psychology, and the Law. This course provides an expansive overview of forensic psychology, including basic tenets, practices, and procedures. You will explore subspecialties of forensic psychology; roles and responsibilities; and related legal, ethical, and diversity issues. You’ll also learn how forensic psychology links to legal systems as you explore related topics—including criminal profiling, police psychology, psychology in the criminal courts, and correctional psychology. Through this course, you can acquire a broad understanding of forensic psychology theories and concepts, which you will apply to the analysis of controversial issues and contemporary challenges within the fields.
Earning your MS in Forensic Psychology can prepare you with the expertise you need to qualify for a range of opportunities in the legal system and community settings. Some of the positions possible with an MS in Forensic Psychology include:
- Psychologist
- Correctional Officer Captain
- Correctional Supervisor
- Security Managers
Career options may require additional experience, training, or other factors beyond the successful completion of a degree program.
Walden University offers bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees in forensic psychology. These programs prepare you to pursue nonclinical paths in areas like criminal investigative analysis, terrorism, and victim advocacy.
In forensic psychology, you will study the intersection of criminality and psychology to help advance the understanding of criminal behavior. In addition to exploring psychological principles and theory, you’ll learn how to identify behavioral patterns and psychosocial factors to help law enforcement and criminal justice systems function effectively. Walden’s forensic psychology program focuses on social justice and community benefit, giving graduates an edge in making these systems that touch thousands of lives more functional and able to serve the populations within them.
Many forensic psychologist roles require a doctorate, which can take several years to complete. Walden’s MS in Forensic Psychology program has a minimum requirement of 48 quarter credits and can be completed in as few as 15 months. You can then go on to Walden’s PhD in Forensic Psychology program, which has a minimum requirement of 60 quarter credits and can be completed in as few as three years.