Best Online Forensic Psychology Programs
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As a forensic psychologist, you will find yourself doing fascinating work at the intersection of law, psychology, and criminal justice. If that sounds like fun, you should consider an online bachelor’s degree in forensic psychology. Here’s how to get started:
- Explore this page to make sure this path is the right choice for you.
- Check out the top-ranked online bachelor’s in forensic psychology programs
- Request more information from the schools you’re interested in.
Popular Forensic Psychology Programs
Best Colleges for Forensic Psychology
- In-State$35,781
- Out-of-state$35,781
- In-State$19,235
- Out-of-state$19,235
- Retention Rate70%
- Acceptance Rate78%
- Students Enrolled3,224
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment100%
- AccreditationYes
Maryville University of Saint Louis
Saint Louis, MO- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$24,766
- Out-of-state$24,766
- In-State$14,346
- Out-of-state$14,346
- Retention Rate83%
- Acceptance Rate95%
- Students Enrolled10,979
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment83%
- AccreditationYes
Southern New Hampshire University
- Manchester, NH
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$9,600
- Out-of-state$9,600
- In-State$18,810
- Out-of-state$18,810
- Retention Rate67%
- Acceptance Rate94%
- Students Enrolled134,345
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment96%
- AccreditationYes
- In-State$21,000
- Out-of-state$21,000
- In-State$10,350
- Out-of-state$10,350
- Retention Rate60%
- Acceptance Rate76%
- Students Enrolled2,961
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment58%
- AccreditationYes
- In-StateN/A
- Out-of-stateN/A
- In-StateN/A
- Out-of-stateN/A
- Retention RateN/A
- Acceptance RateN/A
- Students EnrolledN/A
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online EnrollmentN/A
- AccreditationYes
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What Can You Do With a Degree in Forensic Psychology?
You can land a number of forensic science jobs with an undergraduate degree in forensic psychology.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects average or above-average job growth for forensic science techs, detectives, and criminal investigators as of May 2023. The BLS reports above-average salaries for these careers, too.
| Jobs | Median Annual Salary (2023) | Job Outlook (2023-2033) |
|---|---|---|
| Private Detective | $49,540 | 5% |
| Probation Officer | $61,800 | 4% |
| Forensic Science Technician | $64,940 | 14% |
| Investigator/Police Officer | $74,910 | 4% |
| Criminal Investigator | $91,100 | 5% |
Read More
Why Should You Get a Bachelor’s in Forensic Psychology Online?
- You want to become a forensic psychologist. A bachelor’s degree in the field prepares you to qualify for graduate school and licensure, both of which are required for clinical work.
- You want to work in the criminal justice system more broadly. A four-year degree in forensic psychology gives you a foundational understanding of criminal justice. It also gives you a better sense of what role you want to play in the system (or how you might want to change the system for the better).
- You want interesting career options. Forget the boring desk job — with this degree, you can compete for less conventional roles in law, policing, community or social work, and criminal justice.
- You want to save time and money. Pursuing your bachelor’s degree online reduces commuting costs, on-campus fees, and in many cases, tuition. It also gives you the freedom to fit school into your schedule instead of the other way around.
Popular Forensic Psychology Programs
How Much Money Will You Make With a Degree in Forensic Psychology?
With a bachelor’s degree in forensic psychology, you can earn between $60,000-$86,000 per year in various jobs in the field. But if you go on to become a forensic psychologist, which requires a doctoral degree, you can earn a higher salary. Forensic psychologists earned an average annual salary of over $90,000 according to Payscale as of March 2023.
How Long Does a Bachelor’s in Forensic Psychology Take?
Bachelor’s programs require 120-130 credits, including any associate degree credits. Bachelor’s degrees can take four years of full-time enrollment to finish. Accelerated psychology programs can take half as long.
Many programs require psychology internships or capstone projects.
Required Course Credits*
120-130 credits
Popular Forensic Psychology Programs
How Much Does an Online Bachelor’s Degree in Forensic Psychology Cost?
There are a few ways to think about the cost of your online education.
First, consider the cost of tuition. In general, public schools and in-state schools are less pricey. Affordable online degree programs can also save you money.
Second, consider financial aid. Grant-based aid and scholarships will reduce your bottom line — and you don’t need to pay them back later. Psychology students may qualify for psychology-specific scholarships.
Third, consider your opportunity costs. Will you be able to work while you pursue this degree? Will you need to pay more for childcare or other expenses to make studying possible? Online degrees offer more flexibility for students who are working or who are caretakers.
Finally, think about your return on investment. Will your starting salary be enough to cover your loans, your bills, and your rent? Will you be able to meet your personal and financial goals once you graduate?
Average Annual Tuition Cost of a Bachelor’s Degree
Public Institution
$9,750
Private Institution
$38,421
Total Average Net Cost of Four Years of College
Public Institution
$54,880
Private Institution (Nonprofit)
$106,080
Read More:How Much Does an Online College Cost?
Forensic Psychology: Beyond the Bachelor’s Degree
We’ve already mentioned that to become a forensic psychologist, you’ll need a doctoral degree. You’ll also need professional certification, which typically requires 1,000 hours of supervised clinical work at forensic sites like courts, jails, or mental hospitals.
Your undergraduate degree can help you qualify for the best online master’s or doctoral programs in psychology.
If you want to use your bachelor’s in forensic psychology for a social work career, you may need graduate-level social work degrees and professional licensure to practice in that field as well.
Everything Else You Need to Know About a Degree in Forensic Psychology
Forensic psychologists specialize in assessing crime and criminal behavior from a clinical perspective. It’s a fairly new field — the American Psychological Association only officially recognized it in 2001.
As a forensic psychologist, your expertise will help investigate, punish, and prevent crime. You may work as an expert witness, criminal profiler, or consultant for law enforcement.
Forensic psychology is a great career path for anyone who is fascinated by human psychology, questions of mental health, and the many ways the law can affect people and their behavior.
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