Forensic Psychology Schools & Programs

Academic interest in forensic psychology has expanded considerably in the last two decades. While the first official criminal profile by a medical professional became known by Dr. Bond in the 1880's during London's Jack the Ripper case, forensic psychology began to surge in popularity during the early 1990's, probably as a result of several successful films and tv series (i.e. "Cracker", "Silence of the Lambs", "Seven", "The X-Files", etc) featuring for the first time in mass media the criminal psychology themes and forensic environments we are so familiar with today. The role of psychology in criminal investigations remains highly-regarded for its scientific objectivity and ability to provide sensitive insight into rare and someties bizarre behaviors. Liverpool University's Institute of Investigative Psychology was one of the first universities to capitalize on this media interest in 1992, and since then, the capacity at universities has struggled to sufficiently meet the demand. As a result, competition in forensic psychology programs is still very high.

Most graduate schools in forensic psychology should attempt to cover what Varela and Conroy (Professional competencies in forensic psychology, 2012, PPRP) consider the six functional domains of any sound forensic psychology program: a) assessment, b) intervention, c) consultation, d) research, e) supervision-training, and f) management-administration. Below is a list of universities and schools offering diplomas, degrees, and certificates in forensic psychology. If you have a resource you'd like to add to this page, leave a comment below.

Forensic Psychology Programs in the United States

• Alliant International University, San Diego, CA - Forensic Psychology (PhD)
• American InterContinental University Dunwoody (A.I.U.), Atlanta, GA - Criminal Justice (BA)
• American International College - Forensic Psychology; Criminal Justice (BA)
• Argosy University-San Francisco Bay Area - Forensic Psychology (MA)
• Arizona State University - Criminal Justice (BSc, MA, MSc, PhD)
• Capella University - Criminal Justice (MSc) - as part of the School of Public Service - a certificate in Criminal Justice is also available
• Castleton State College - Criminal Justice (BA); Forensic Psychology conc. (BA)
• Chicago School of Professional Psychology, The- Forensic Psychology (MA, PsyD)
  Founded in 1979. The Chicago School of Professional Psychology (TCSPP) is a nonprofit graduate school dedicated to applied psychology. The school is a member of the National Council of Schools and Programs of Professional Psychology.
• Cornell University - (dual Ph.D./J.D. degree program in developmental psychology and law)
• Fairleigh Dickinson University - Forensic Psychology (BA, MA) - note that the BA program is a degree in Psychology with a specialization in criminal psychology
• Florida Institute of Technology - Forensic Psychology (BA) - FIT also offers an MA degree in Professional Behaviour Analysis that may be of interest to those looking at criminal psychology programs
• Florida International University - Criminal Justice (BSc, MSc, JD/MSc, MPA/MSc)
• Florida State University - Criminology (BS, MS, PhD)
• John Jay College Of Criminal Justice, City University Of New York - Forensic Psychology (MA, PhD); Criminology (BSc, BA, PhD)
  • According to a press release published in 2011, "Mary E. Schnorf and Jeffrey L. Helms of Kennesaw State University in Georgia analyzed 554 articles published from 2004 to 2008 in the refereed journals Law and Human Behavior, Behavioral Sciences and the Law and Psychology, Public Policy and Law, and found that John Jay ranked third in the number of faculty members listed as authors of non-duplicative articles. Twenty different John Jay faculty authors were identified as having produced the journal articles." (New Study Shows John Jay College Faculty Research Top Forensic Psychology Journals, Targeted News Service, March 22, 2011)
• Marymount University - Forensic Psychology
• Mercer University, McDonough, GA - Public Safety Leadership (MSc.) - Offered by The College of Continuing and Professional Studies
• Nebraska Wesleyan University, Lincoln, NE - Forensic Science (MSc)
• Nova Southeastern University - Forensic Psychology (MS), offered at the Center for Psychological Studies.
• Palm Beach Atlantic University - Forensic Science (BSc)
• Prairie View A&M University - Juvenile Forensic Psychology (MSc), Forensic Chemistry (BSc)
• State University of New York (SUNY) at Plattsburgh - Forensic Psychology (BA specialization)
• University Of Denver - Forensic Psychology (MA)
• University of North Dakota - Forensic Psychology (MA)
• University Of South Carolina - Criminal Justice (BSc) (MA) (JD/MA)
• Walden University - Forensic Psychology (MS, PhD)
• Western Illinois University - Forensic Chemistry (BSc., MSc.)
• Western Washington University -

Forensic Psychology Programs in Canada

• Carleton University - Criminology (BA) and Forensic Psychology (MA, PhD)
• University of Toronto - Forensic Science and Psychology (BA)
• University of Toronto - Crime, Law, and Deviance (BA)
• University of Toronto - Criminology (BA, MA, PhD)
• University College of the Fraser Valley - Criminal Justice (BA) (Diploma)
• University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT) - Criminology (MA)
• University of Guelph - Criminology and Criminal Justice Policy (MA)
• Malaspina University College - Criminology (BA)
• Royal Roads University - Justice Studies (BA)
• Simon Fraser University - Criminology (BA, MA, PhD)
• Athabasca University - Criminal Justice
• University of Manitoba - Criminology (BA)
• University of Ottawa - Criminology (BA, MA, MCA)
• Ryerson University - Criminal Justice (BA)
• St. Mary's University - Criminology (MA)

Forensic Psychology Programs in the UK & Europe

• Glasgow Caledonian University - Forensic Psychology (MSc, Diploma, Certificate)
• King's College London, Institute of Psychiatry - Forensic Psychiatry (Diploma)
• Leicester University, Centre for Applied Psychology, Forensic and Legal Psychology - Forensic Psychology (MSc, Diploma)
• Liverpool University (MPhil, PhD in Psychology) - Liverpool partners with police forces, Prison Psychology departments, and other law enforcement agencies.
• London Metropolitan University - Forensic Psychology (MSc)
• University of Birmingham - Criminological Psychology (MSc); Forensic Psychology (PhD)
• University of Kent at Canterbury - Forensic Psychology (MSc)
  • Centre of Research and Education in Forensic Psychology at Keynes College
• University of New South Wales - Forensic Psychology (MA)
• University of Surrey - Forensic Psychology (MSc, MPhil, PhD)
  
  

Forensic Psychology Programs in Australia

• Curtin University - Forensic Sexology (Diploma, PhD)
• Edith Cowan University - Forensic Psychology (PhD)
• University of Melbourne - Forensic Psychology (PhD)
• University of Western Sydney - Psychology (Forensic) (MA, P.Diploma)