Master’s Degree in Forensic Psychology: Courses, Requirements, and Careers
Explore master’s in forensic psychology degrees, including common coursework, career possibilities, and potential salaries.
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Key Takeaways
- A master’s in forensic psychology prepares you for doctoral study and entry to mid-level careers.
- To earn a state license and practice as a forensic psychologist, you’ll need a doctorate.
- Master’s programs offer opportunities to pursue forensic psychology specializations.
What Is a Master’s Degree in Forensic Psychology?
A master’s in forensic psychology combines psychology, law, and criminal justice. Programs offer courses in advanced social psychology, behavior pathology, ethics and multicultural issues, history of law, and the criminal justice system.
You will gain skills in negotiation, interviewing and evaluation, and public speaking and apply these skills in field experience practicums and research capstones.
Specialization options include:
- Cybercrimes
- Family violence
- Forensic psychology in the legal system
- Forensic psychology for mental health workers, first responders, and disaster teams
- Victimology
After graduating, you’ll be prepared to enter doctoral programs in forensic psychology or forensic science. You can also pursue careers in advocacy, corrections, law enforcement, and social services.
To become licensed as a forensic psychologist, you’ll need a forensic psychology doctorate.
Schools offer master’s in forensic psychology programs on campus and online, and most take 2-3 years to complete.
What Can You Do With a Master’s Degree in Forensic Psychology?
Graduates with master’s degrees in forensic psychology can qualify for positions as counselors, federal agents, forensic psychology research assistants, and victim advocates. Counselors assist defendants, crime victims, and others involved in criminal cases with mental health and substance use issues. Counselor licensing requirements vary by state, but mental health counselors and counselors in private practice need a state license.
Federal agents investigate federal crimes and work with federal prosecutors and other staff within the federal legal system. Research assistants work with forensic psychology faculty at universities or with researchers in government agencies or private labs. Victim advocates help crime victims throughout their cases. Federal agents undergo comprehensive training at facilities such as the FBI Academy.
Counselor
Help clients struggling with mental health issues and addictions, including those involved in the legal and criminal justice systems. Counselors may need a license depending on the state in which they practice and their field.
Average Salary: $60,080
Federal Agent
Perform detective work for government agencies in criminal cases governed by federal law.
Average Salary: $95,930
Research Assistant
Conduct laboratory experiments that expand knowledge in the field of forensic psychology.
Average Salary: $51,340
Victim Advocate
Educate crime victims regarding their legal rights, secure legal representation, and provide mental health support during legal proceedings.
Average Salary: $44,235 (Nov. 2024)
Continuing Your Education in Forensic Psychology
Advancing your career in forensic psychology usually requires a doctoral degree. Forensic psychologists and clinical psychologists hold doctorates in psychology or doctor of psychology (Psy.D.) degrees. To move from research assistant to forensic psychology research psychologist, you’ll need a Ph.D. to pursue employment at universities and possibly in other work settings.
Victim advocates may choose to pursue social work degrees and state licensure as licensed master’s social workers or licensed clinical social workers. These credentials can lead to higher salaries and opportunities for independent practice.
How Much Does a Master’s Degree in Forensic Psychology Cost?
The costs of a forensic psychology master’s degree can vary depending on the type of school and course delivery format. The table below lists average annual tuition rates for graduate programs at public and private institutions.
You’ll generally pay the lowest tuition at a public university in your state. Out-of-state tuition at public schools and private university tuition can have similar costs for on-campus study. Online programs may charge lower tuition regardless of your residency status. Both public and private institutions offer financial aid resources and scholarships, which can increase affordability.
Admission Requirements for a Master’s Degree in Forensic Psychology
While criteria can vary, the most common admission requirements to master’s degree in forensic psychology programs include:
- A bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university (some programs prefer majors in psychology, counseling, criminal justice, or social work)
- For bachelor’s degree holders in other fields, significant coursework in psychology, such as abnormal psychology, child psychology, personality theory, and statistics
- A completed application and a nonrefundable fee
- Official undergraduate transcripts (and graduate transcripts, if applicable)
- A minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0 (some programs may accept lower GPAs with relevant work experience or graduate-level coursework)
- GRE test scores
- A statement of goals or personal essay detailing your academic accomplishments and career objectives
- At least two academic or professional letters of recommendation
- An admissions interview
- A background check for field practicums
How Long Does It Take to Get a Master’s Degree in Forensic Psychology?
Master’s degrees in forensic psychology take 2-3 years to complete. The fastest path to graduation is to study full-time. If you enroll as a full-time online student, you can often finish in less than two years. Some online programs offer self-paced or accelerated coursework.
Part-time programs may take longer, although many offer three-year study plans. Timelines may also vary depending on whether you transfer previous graduate credits or need to complete prerequisite coursework.
Master’s Degree in Forensic Psychology Accreditation
Accreditation is an important factor at the institution and program levels. Institutional accreditation assesses the college or university as a whole, and programmatic accreditation evaluates specific programs. Both seek to measure the academic quality and training to ensure they meet the standards set by the accrediting organization.
Look for regionally accredited institutions by the Council of Higher Education Association (CHEA). The main forensic psychology master’s programmatic accreditor is the Master’s in Psychology and Counseling Accreditation Council (MPCAC). You may also see programs accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling & Related Educational Programs (CACREP).
Master’s Degree in Forensic Psychology Curriculum
Specializations
Common specialization areas within forensic psychology include the following:
- Cybercrimes: Centered on technology, this specialty explores crimes like child pornography, cyberstalking, and human trafficking.
- Family violence: This area concentrates on murder and other violent crimes within families.
- Forensic psychology in the legal system: Courses within this area cover psychological issues in dependency and family law cases, therapeutic jurisprudence and restorative justice, and criminal investigative analysis.
- Forensic psychology for mental health workers, first responders, and disaster teams: This specialty examines suicide prevention and crisis intervention, trauma-informed assessment and intervention, school and workplace violence intervention, and police psychology.
- Victimology: Students in this specialization focus on victims and first responders, with an emphasis on stress disorders and treatment models.
Clinical Components or Internships
Field experience within a master’s in forensic psychology program includes supervised experiential internships and practicums at a placement site. Students may engage in community psychology and group methods, administrative functions, courtroom procedures, and clinical observation. Field placements include hospitals, community mental health and counseling centers, police psychology agencies, and the criminal court system.
Programs may assist students in securing internships and practicums, or learners may be responsible for finding their own program-approved opportunities.
Is a Master’s Degree in Forensic Psychology Worth It?
The value of earning a master’s in forensic psychology depends on your goals. If you’re interested in becoming a licensed forensic psychologist, you will need a doctorate. A master’s in forensic psychology prepares you for doctoral study. In addition, most Ph.D. and Psy.D. programs prefer or require master’s degrees for admission.
Doctoral-trained forensic psychologists earn an average salary of $110,300, according to the BLS. This figure is significantly higher than most master’s in forensic psychology positions. Federal agents are an exception, with salaries averaging $95,930, but they also undergo extensive post-master’s training.
Earning a master’s can be worth it if you’re interested in working your way up through the legal or research fields. You can also help victims of crimes as an advocate.
Frequently Asked Questions About Forensic Psychology Master’s Degree Programs
Forensic psychology master’s degree holders can pursue positions in counseling, federal investigation, victim advocacy, and entry-level research. Graduates can also work in corrections, police departments, and the court system.
