The Best Graduate Schools Offering Master’s Degrees in Forensic Psychology in the United States
Higher Education Articles March 17, 2017Schools offer various forensic psychology graduate degree programs. These programs feature a Master of Arts (M.A.), Master of Science (M.S.), Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.) and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.).
Overview of Schools offering Master’s Degree Programs in Forensic Psychology
In the highly specialized field of forensics, students may have to complete an externship or internship. They must also pass a clinical competency exam, participate in work-study programs in order to gain field experience, and/or submit a thesis. While every program is not available to all schools, students can choose to earn a forensic psychology doctoral or master’s degree.
University of Denver in Colorado
In 2010, the U.S. News and World Report ranked the University of Denver 84th on its list of top universities in the United States. This private university is renowned for high research activity and was highly rated by the Carnegie Foundation in 2004. A full-time, two-year Master in Forensic Psychology program is available through the Graduate School of Professional Psychology.
An internship is necessary, and a clinical competency exam must be passed orally by students in their second year. Among past field placements for students, they have had to provide victim advocacy groups with legal assistance, provided treatment in correctional facilities, and worked with prosecutors and attorneys in domestic violence cases. Internship and curriculum components teach students the skills and knowledge necessary for applying psychological theory in the civil and criminal justice systems.
CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York, NY
The City University of New York (CUNY) contains a liberal arts research institution and college known as the John Jay College of Criminal Justice. In 2009, the U.S. News and World Report ranked CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice at the top of its list of top graduate schools with criminology programs in the United States.
Several degree programs in forensic psychology are available through the John Jay College, including two Ph.D. programs and an MA program. Students enrolled in the MA in Forensic Psychology are trained to seek criminal and civil justice systems careers; the program coursework includes the completion of either a thesis or an externship that spans 300 hours. Students enrolled in the Ph.D. program’s clinical forensic psychology track are prepared for licensed psychologist careers. Graduates may find work in a forensic practice or intervention and assessment. Ph.D. graduates who complete the experimental forensic psychology track in the program can seek applied research, advisory, and academic positions within and for the justice systems.
List of Schools offering Forensic Psychology Programs
| School Name | Distinction | Campus Location |
| Castleton State College | The bachelor’s degree program in psychology at Castleton State College offers a concentration in Forensic Psychology | Castleton, VT |
| The Chicago School of Professional Psychology | The Forensic psychology graduate programs include a doctor of psychology in clinical forensic psychology | Multiple locations (Irvine, CA, Los Angeles, CA, Washington, DC, Chicago, IL) |
| Farleigh Dickinson University | This university offers both an accelerated bachelor of arts and master of arts and an master of arts in forensic psychology | Teaneck and Madison, NJ |
| John Jay College of Criminal Justice | In conjunction with the New York Law School, John Jay College of Criminal Justice offers dual master of arts in forensic psychology and J.D. programs | New York, NY |
| Marymount University | Dual master of arts in legal psychology and forensic psychology through its clinical mental health counseling program | Arlington, VA |
| Prairie View A & M University | Master of Science in Juvenile Forensic Psychology program | Prairie View, TX |
| Tiffin University | All faculty members who works at the university on a full-time basis holdds at least a master’s degree or the highest degree available in their fields | Tiffin, OH |
