Online Master’s Degrees in Forensic Psychology & Counseling
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“Forensic counseling and psychology programs offer broad and versatile training that can lead to diverse career paths. Graduates gain expertise working with various populations, from children and adolescents to older adults. They can deliver a wide array of services, including voluntary and court-ordered therapy, as well as assessments.”
Karey O’Hara, PhD, Assistant Professor, School of Interdisciplinary Forensics at Arizona State University
Just as forensic investigation seeks to understand a crime scene by examining each detail after the fact, forensic psychology and counseling seek to assess, evaluate, and treat individuals who have committed crimes or are in the legal system.
According to the American Psychological Association, forensic psychologists may perform various functions within the criminal and legal system. For instance, they may collect and share data relevant to legal issues. They may also advise an attorney on how psychology, specifically regarding the individual in question, may relate to the case or legal issues.
Forensic psychologists may provide professional opinions if they affect a case. For example, if there is any question about whether an individual is fit to be tried for a crime, a forensic psychologist can examine them to make that determination. They can also act as treatment providers for an individual, providing counseling services as needed to either the individual or victims and their families. The first step in obtaining a degree in this rewarding field is to begin psychology and counseling studies, either at the undergraduate level or by getting a master’s degree in forensic psychology and counseling if the student already has a compatible undergraduate education.
Students can become counselors after earning online forensic psychology and counseling degrees. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS 2024) projects jobs in substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counseling to grow 19 percent nationally from 2023 to 2033, much faster than the average job growth rate in the same timeframe (4 percent).
If you’re ready to join a specialized team of mental health care providers, read on for a comprehensive look at online master’s degrees in forensic psychology and counseling.
Meet the Expert: Karey O’Hara, PhD
Dr. Karey O’Hara is an assistant professor at the School of Interdisciplinary Forensics at Arizona State University, and she teaches courses for the forensic psychology program through ASU Online. Her research lies at the intersection of family law, prevention science, and child mental health.
In particular, Dr. O’Hara studies risk and resilience factors associated with children’s adjustment following parental divorce, emphasizing informing family court policy and improving interventions to promote the well-being of court-involved families. She has also conducted research in the areas of interparental conflict, intimate partner abuse, and family violence. She earned her doctorate in clinical psychology from the University of Arizona, completed a clinical internship at SUNY Upstate Medical University, and was a postdoctoral fellow at the REACH Institute at ASU.
CounselingSchools.com: What do you wish the public understood about forensic counseling and psychology programs?
Dr. O’Hara: Forensic counseling and psychology programs offer broad and versatile training that can lead to diverse career paths. Graduates gain expertise working with various populations, from children and adolescents to older adults. They can deliver a wide array of services, including voluntary and court-ordered therapy, as well as assessments. These assessments may be clinical, such as determining whether a teenager has a history of trauma and needs treatment, or legal, like evaluating a person’s competency to stand trial.
Some graduates may pursue research rather than clinical work, exploring questions such as the potential long-term effects of a child’s involvement in the legal system or the root causes of antisocial behavior. Forensic counseling and psychology programs are dynamic and adaptable, opening doors to many career opportunities.
CounselingSchools.com:What advice would you give to aspiring forensic counseling and psychology students?
Dr. O’Hara: My advice for aspiring students is to thoroughly explore different programs to find one that aligns with your career goals. Ask key questions about program outcomes, such as where graduates typically end up and licensure rates, including if the program leads to licensure. Since programs can vary greatly in terms of quality and cost, it’s crucial to gather as much information as possible to ensure you’re making a decision that will support your long-term goals. Speak with current students and faculty to address any concerns before making your choice.
If you’re aiming for a PhD program, gaining research experience through volunteering or working in a research lab will strengthen your application and make it more competitive.
Typical Admissions Requirements for Online Master’s Degrees in Forensic Psychology & Counseling
Achieving employment as a mental health counselor generally requires that students earn a master’s degree and complete an internship. However, some employers may accept only a bachelor’s degree with relevant experience.
Admissions requirements for online master’s degrees in forensic psychology counseling will vary from school to school but typically include a combination of the following: a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited program; a competitive undergraduate GPA (often 2.5 or greater but occasionally, 3.0 or greater); GRE or GMAT scores; letter(s) of recommendation; a phone or in-person interview; and a personal statement.
Some programs may request that applicants have completed specific undergraduate coursework in statistics, research methods, psychology, or criminal justice. Note that some programs that require less credit may not be licensure-track programs. For example, suppose a student seeks to become a national board-certified psychologist, state-licensed counselor, or psychologist. In that case, they should choose a licensure-track program that meets their state’s requirements.
Courses in Online Master’s Degrees in Forensic Psychology & Counseling
Online master’s programs in general counseling education will include core classes and elective options that prepare students to understand and treat the broad spectrum of mental health issues they’ll encounter in the field. Beyond that, specialized courses will specifically relate to how human behavior intersects with the law and criminality.
Some standard courses include:
- Social Psychology and Aggression
- Trauma and Crisis Intervention
- Ethics and Professional Issues in Forensic Psychology
- Psychology and Law
- Research Methods
- Forensic Assessment
- Children and the Law
- Violence and Psychopathology
- Human Trafficking
- Race and the Law
- Legal and Social Responses to Domestic Violence
- Law and Behavior: Compliance and Enforcement
- Memory and the Law
- Mental Health and the Law
- Clinical Interviewing and Treatment
- Family and the Law
- Forensic Neuropsychology
- Advanced Legal Psychology
- Advanced Correctional Psychology
- Psychopathology
- Statistics and methods
- Seminar in Criminal Justice
- Seminar in Courts and Sentencing
- Behavioral Criminology
- Understanding Psychological Reports and Expert Witness Testimony
- Psychological Evaluation of Competencies, Syndromes, & Sanity Issues
- Psychological Issues in Dependency & Family Law Cases
- Therapeutic Jurisprudence & Problem-Solving Courts
- Assessment of Psychological Injury for Legal Cases
- Trauma-Informed Assessment and Intervention
- Child Maltreatment and Trauma Assessment and Intervention
- Substance Abuse, Mental Illness, and Trauma
- Police Psychology
- Intervening in School & Workplace Violence
Supervised Clinical Hour Requirements & Internships – Online Master’s Degrees in Forensic Psychology & Counseling
In addition to academic coursework, most online master’s degrees in forensic psychology and counseling include supervised hands-on experiences in practicums (100 to 150 hours) and internships (600 to 700 hours).
Program Accreditation for Online Master’s Degrees in Forensic Psychology & Counseling
Accreditation ensures that an educational program’s content and quality have been evaluated and meet specific standards. For online master’s degrees in forensic psychology and counseling, accreditation is split between a few agencies. The Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) and the Masters in Psychology and Counseling Accreditation Council (MPCAC) are the two primary authorities.
The American Psychological Association (APA) accredits professional education and training in psychology in the United States at the doctoral level. The primary certifying body for general counseling education at the master’s and PhD levels is CACREP.
However, CACREP considers psychology a separate discipline from counseling and does not accredit any type of psychology or social work programs. MPCAC, on the other hand, believes the fields of psychology and counseling to be very closely linked.
CACREP-accredited programs require 60 credits, followed by practicums and internships totaling 850 hours. MPCAC has some slightly different requirements and often accredits programs that require 60 credits, but only requires the completion of 48 credits.
MPCAC also considers the licensure and certification requirements within the state in question. Beyond these recognized accrediting bodies, the master’s level student should select a school that is, at a minimum, regionally accredited, which will ensure that they are receiving a quality psychology education that future employers will value.
Featured Online Master’s in Forensic Psychology & Counseling Programs
Arizona State University’s online master of science in forensic psychology provides an overview of forensic psychology to advance their career or personal interest. The 33-credit program prepares students for a career in law enforcement, corrections, mental health administration, crime analysis, policy analysis, and other settings. Still, it is not designed to meet the requirements for licensure as a psychologist. Students take 11 total classes at 7.5 weeks per class.
- Location: Phoenix, AZ
- Duration: Two years
- Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
Southern New Hampshire University
Southern New Hampshire’s forensic psychology degree is a concentration within its online master of science in psychology degree program. The program does not lead to licensure but nonetheless opens doors for career advancement if you already work within the legal or court system. Graduates work in probation, law enforcement, victim advocacy, juvenile offender counselors, and court liaisons.
Students in the 36-credit online program at SNHU can complete their degree with no set class meeting times and 24/7 access to online course materials. The GRE and GMAT are not required; students can transfer up to 12 credits once admitted. Founded in 1932, Southern New Hampshire University is a private, nonprofit institution.
- Location: Manchester, NH
- Duration: 15 to 24 months
- Accreditation: New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)
The Chicago School of Professional Psychology
The Chicago School’s online master of arts program in forensic psychology has both a licensure and a non-licensure track program. Students in the non-licensure track program can use this to increase their foundational psychology skills while working in the field. In addition, graduates from this program can “bridge” their non-licensure track courses with licensure-track courses with an online certificate.
The licensure-track program meets requirements in 41 states, including Washington, D.C. However, it does not meet licensure requirements in seven states (California, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Missouri, North Dakota, and New York).
Students must complete at least 700 training hours and 280 direct hours of face-to-face client contact. Additionally, online forensic psychology licensure track program students attend two mandatory, four-and-a-half-day in-person residencies at the Chicago campus.
- Location: Chicago, IL
- Duration: Three years
- Accreditation: WASC Senior College and University Commission
University of California Irvine
UCI’s master of legal and forensic psychology program is offered in collaboration with the Department of Psychological Science and the Department of Criminology, Law, and Society. This 52-credit program utilizes interdisciplinary learning to focus on the intersection of psychology and legal issues.
Preceding the first fall quarter of instruction, students must attend a one-week, mandatory on-campus residency in the form of an accelerated five-day introductory forensic psychology course. Following that experience, students will complete six online courses during each of the two following academic years. Each quarter consists of two online courses. Instead of a thesis, students take a capstone course in which students write an independent term paper.
- Location: Irvine, CA
- Duration: Two years
- Accreditation: WASC Senior College and University Commission
Nova Southeastern offers an online master of science in forensic psychology. NSU’s online program is designed for busy working adults who want to pursue a non-clinical curriculum for students to complete graduate studies while balancing jobs and other daily responsibilities.
The program consists of 24 core credits, with students selecting from one of two possible nine-credit specialization tracks and a three-credit capstone course. Specialization options are forensic psychology in the legal system or forensic psychology for mental health workers, first responders, and disaster teams.
For their capstone content, students can complete either a thesis or a field experience. Since forensic psychology is not licensed or certified in Florida, this is a non-licensure track program.
- Location: Fort Lauderdale, FL
- Duration: Two years
- Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACS-COC)
Liberty University’s master of science in criminal justice and forensic psychology is offered 100 percent online. Liberty is ranked in the top 1 percent of online colleges. It is a Christian-centered university founded by Jerry Falwell in 1971. Courses include the fundamentals of forensic psychology, crisis intervention in law enforcement, and psychology and the legal system. This 36-credit program offers tuition discounts for active-duty law enforcement and first responders. Courses are offered in 8-week formats, and multiple start dates are available throughout the year.
- Location: Lynchburg, VA
- Duration: 1.5 to two years
- Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
Capella University’s online master of science in clinical psychology includes specializations in applied research, clinical psychology, and forensic psychology. This 53-credit program teaches students how human behavior and the criminal mind intersect with the legal system.
In addition, this program provides the foundation of study for students who want to continue pursuing a PhD in the field. These courses are offered in Capella’s Guided Path format, a more traditional format of one to three courses per ten-week semester.
- Location: Minneapolis, MN
- Duration: Two years
- Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
Purdue University’s online master of science degree in psychology lets students choose one of five concentrations, including forensic psychology. Courses are 15 hours per week for a ten-week term. Students take 40 core credits and 25 to 35 elective credits. Flexible start dates allow students to begin courses throughout most of the year. Graduates from this program are eligible to sit for the Master Addictions Counselor (MAC) certification exam offered by the National Certification Commission for Addiction Professionals (NCCAP).
- Location: West Lafayette, IN
- Duration: Two years
- Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
National University’s master’s of science in forensic psychology is a 100 percent online program that immerses students in the psychology of criminal behavior through seven specific courses plus three electives. This 30-credit program includes ten courses, with new classes beginning every Monday.
National accommodates busy students through weekly course starts so they can work at their own pace. All professors hold doctoral degrees in their fields. NCU’s psychology programs do not lead to licensure. However, students may choose a non-clinical internship.
- Location: San Diego, CA
- Duration: 16 months
- Accreditation: WASC Senior College and University Commission
The 30-credit program at the University of North Dakota is offered online, full-time, or part-time, and can be completed in about two years. Students in this program are immersed in research and practice-based courses exploring the relationship between law and psychology. Once accepted, students can begin their studies in the spring or fall.
- Location: Grand Forks, ND
- Duration: Two years
- Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
The MS in forensic psychology program at Walden University is designed to prepare students for nonclinical forensic psychology roles. The program explores psychological principles and theories to help law enforcement and criminal justice systems function effectively. Areas of focus include criminal investigative analysis, terrorism, and victim advocacy. Admission requirements include a bachelor’s degree and transcripts.
- Location: Minneapolis, MN
- Duration: Two years
- Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
The online master of science in forensic psychology degree from GCU provides students with the skills and knowledge necessary to work in various settings within the criminal justice system. The curriculum covers multiple topics, from social and cultural psychology to offender rehabilitation and reintegration.
Students are also required to complete a professional capstone before graduation, during which they will explore career opportunities within the field of forensic psychology. The degree may also provide a foundation for those wishing to pursue a doctoral degree in forensic psychology.
- Location: Phoenix, AZ
- Duration: Two years
- Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
The online MS in forensic psychology program at Monroe College integrates the fundamental principles of psychology with the study of law, preparing graduates for various careers in forensic settings. The 42-credit curriculum includes coursework in criminal psychology, victim advocacy, jury consulting, and police consulting, among other topics.
The program is designed to provide students with the skills necessary to work with forensic populations in various settings, including social service agencies, the court system, juvenile facilities, correctional facilities, and law enforcement agencies. Courses include criminology theory, perspectives on drugs, alcohol, and the criminal justice system, and forensic mental health in the courts.
- Location: Campuses in the Bronx and New Rochelle, NY
- Duration: Two years
- Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
Jobs for Those With an Online Master’s Degree in Forensic Psychology & Counseling
There are several job possibilities for those with an online master’s degree in forensic psychology and counseling.
Even if the degree program is not a licensure track program, the experience of understanding how social and cultural issues intersect with criminal behavior and the legal system can open many career doors. Fans of TV crime shows probably already know that forensic psychologists can help in criminal investigations. Beyond that, they can also study criminals and their crimes to advance science’s understanding of the criminal mind.
They can also work in the court system as assistants, researchers, or consultants to lawyers, judges, and juries. In private practice or group practice, they can work to advocate for fair treatment of underserved populations, including African-Americans, the LGBTQ+ community, the Latinx community, those from lower-economic areas, children, or those with mental illness.
Forensic psychologists and counselors can work in jails, victim advocacy, court systems as jury consultants, or governmental agencies such as the FBI or CIA. They can work for police departments, veteran’s facilities, or as probation officers. Crime analysts are the job made famous on television shows, and that is certainly a possibility too. With a degree in forensic psychology, one can enter the world of academia, training other forensic psychologists.
Kimmy Gustafson
WriterAt CounselingSchools.com, Kimmy Gustafson’s expertly crafted articles delve into the world of counseling and mental health, providing valuable insights and guidance to readers since 2020. In addition to feature pieces and interviews, she keeps the state licensing tables current. Kimmy has been a freelance writer for more than a decade, writing hundreds of articles on a wide variety of topics such as startups, nonprofits, healthcare, kiteboarding, the outdoors, and higher education. She is passionate about seeing the world and has traveled to over 27 countries. She holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Oregon. When not working, she can be found outdoors, parenting, kiteboarding, or cooking.
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