Online Forensic Psychology Bachelor's Degree
Skills for Forensic Psychology
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- Duration 3.5 years
- Cost per Credit $410
- Credit Hours 120
Program Benefits
- Gain the skills for careers in mental health, criminal justice, or the legal system
- Access courses on your schedule through an online asynchronous classroom
- Gain the academic credential for graduate study
- One-on-one instruction from expert faculty in a program that accepts up to 90 transfer credits
Apply Your Passion for Psychology to the Legal System
Use expert psychology skills to provide rehabilitation and community services with the online BA in Psychology: Forensic Psychology degree. As a student, you’ll explore the psychology of issues within criminal justice and the legal system such as insanity pleas, juvenile delinquency, gender and expert witness testimony. Graduate with the credential to pursue graduate education, plus the skills for career success.
Psychology Skills for Diverse Careers
3.5 Years
120 Total Credits
The online bachelor’s degree in Forensic Psychology requires the completion of 120 total credits. This curriculum includes the psychology core courses required by The American Women’s College of Bay Path University (TAWC), plus the Forensic Psychology major courses. The curriculum is founded on the American Psychological Association’s five-pillar model and is aligned with the APA Guidelines for the Undergraduate Psychology Major.
To view the complete list of program courses, visit the curriculum for all psychology programs.
Required Forensic Psychology Major Courses
In this course students will apply the practices for effective reading and writing introduced in ENG 114 to the distinctive language and forms of various disciplines. This course lays the foundation for academic and professional research and stresses the use of appropriate and effective information sources. Readings for a variety of academic audiences will provide students with strategies to communicate in the sciences, business and technology, psychology, liberal studies, and the social sciences. Research and documentation skills appropriate to the disciplines are stressed. In addition to leading students through the research process from start to finish, this course will examine the many ramifications of academic honesty.
Prerequisite: ENG 114
This course introduces students to the field of forensic psychology and explores the relationship between psychology and the legal system. Current events, case studies, and research are used to demonstrate the applications of forensic psychology to critical issues and special topics in the field. Students will gain a broad understanding of the different career opportunities from a multidisciplinary perspective.
Prerequisite: PSY 101
This course is designed to assist, encourage, and challenge students to develop more fully their awareness and knowledge of self and others in a culturally pluralistic society. Basic concepts and ideas that are relevant to multicultural human service and development will be introduced. Culture and environment will be discussed as interactive experiences and basic dimensions of diverse groups will be explored.
Prerequisite: PSY 101
This course explores a wide range of personality, behavioral, and cognitive disorders. The symptoms, etiology, and dynamics of various disorders are studied, and a variety of therapeutic theories and techniques are discussed.
Prerequisite: PSY 101
This course investigates the major personality theorists from Freud to more recent and contemporary theorists like May and Rogers. Emphasis is placed on the critical evaluation and practical application of each theory reviewed.
Prerequisite: PSY 101 and junior or senior status
Criminal behavior is studied in the context of societal and genetic influences on personality formation. Juvenile delinquency and the early expression of anti-social behaviors are discussed. The psychological aspects of violence, addiction, and how mental illness contributes to criminal behavior are addressed. Gender issues related to crime are presented. An external community experience is incorporated to provide an opportunity to apply course content and learning to real world issues.
Prerequisite: PSY 240 and junior or senior status
This course focuses on the psychological aspects of female offenders with an emphasis on gender and criminological theorizing, female juvenile delinquency, females as offenders, mental illness in corrections, and females in prisons. Issues such as sexism, racism, social class inequality, cultural factors, addiction, relationships, and victimization are explored in the context of understanding what psychological issues contribute to female involvement in crime, society’s perception of women offenders, and special considerations related to females within the criminal justice system. An external community experience is incorporated to provide an opportunity to apply course content and learning to real world issues.
Prerequisite: PSY 150, PSY 240, and junior or senior status
This course provides the student with a knowledge of the biological components of behavior. Basic neuroanatomy and neurochemistry are discussed with respect to a variety of topics such as emotions, sensation, aggression, sleep, memory, reproductive behaviors, eating disorders, and certain forms of psychopathology.
Prerequisite: PSY 101 and junior or senior status
This class examines drug and alcohol abuse and dependency. Analysis of the present opiate epidemic, types of illicit drugs, behavioral and biological effects, the common pathway for the addictive process, and the etiology of addiction as a brain disorder including the relative roles of genetic and environmental influences are explored. Psychological impact of addiction, as well as various forms of treatment, including cognitive behavioral therapy, 12-step recovery, and medication assisted treatment, are also addressed. Students will understand the consequences of use, for both the individual and for society, and some of the failed responses of government and the legal system to this disease.
Prerequisite: PSY 101
This course will provide students with a basic understanding of mental health crisis intervention and de-escalation strategies, milieu management, and how to work and communicate effectively with individuals who may be presenting with impaired judgement or impulsive tendencies. Elements of self-awareness and self-care are embedded throughout this course, as well as components related to ethical considerations and trauma informed care. Students will also gain an understanding of larger systems issues and how to determine appropriate dispositions.
Prerequisite: PSY101 and PSY240
Social behavior is studied from a psychological perspective. Topics addressed typically include: small group behavior, personal perception, attitude acquisition and change, leadership, conformity, and prejudice.
Prerequisite: PSY 101 and junior or senior status
This course introduces fundamental skills used in the helping profession including, interviewing, developing rapport, and elements of the counseling process. The multicultural, ethical and legal considerations, non-verbal behavior, and self-care will also be addressed.
Prerequisite: PSY101, Jr/Sr status
This capstone seminar course is designed to provide an opportunity for the students to synthesize, reflect upon, and analyze the complexities of the intersection of criminal law and psychology. An external community experience is incorporated to provide an opportunity to apply course content and learning to real world issues. This course will highlight the major historical and current issues and controversies related to juvenile, adult and international forensics, and students will conduct case analyses from a multidisciplinary perspective.
Prerequisite: PSY 150 and two upper-level (300+) courses in psychology, and Junior or Senior status
The BA in Psychology: Forensic Psychology program requires 38 credits of major electives:
- Experiential Electives (6 credits)
- General Electives (32 credits)
Learn more about which courses apply to these credits by speaking with an enrollment counselor.
Choose one of the following
This course provides students with the foundation in counseling ethics. This course will cover basic ethical principles such as informed consent and confidentiality; during this course, students will demonstrate an understanding of ethics by comparing codes across the mental health professions. This course will also cover professional issues such as self-awareness and the business of psychopathology.
Prerequisite: PSY 101
Ethics and Professional Conduct in Psychology This course is designed to provide students with a practical awareness of ethical standards and codes of conduct in the field of psychology. Students will review and critically analyze case studies which incorporate such topics as ethical decision making, informed consent, confidentiality, boundary and relationship issues, professional competence, supervision, and multicultural and diversity issues.
What You’ll Learn
With the online BA in Forensic Psychology degree, you’ll build a strong understanding of the role psychology plays in criminal behavior, personality, cultural diversity and substance use. The curriculum offered with this bachelor’s program is aligned with the American Psychological Association to ensure you graduate prepared for diverse opportunities within the field.
By Graduation, You’ll Have Skills to:
- Identify what motivates criminal behavior
- Differentiate issues faced by female and male offenders
- Understand the role mental illness plays in relation to crime
- Effectively address mental health issues faced by criminal justice and the legal system
- Support families affected by incarceration
- Facilitate rehabilitation and prepare offenders for effective re-entry back into the community
- Make ethical decisions for the legal, criminal justice, and mental health systems
- Understand the psychological impact on both perpetrators and victims of a crime
Legal System has High Demand for Psychology Experts
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports an anticipated 6% growth in the psychology field by 2031.1 Professionals in this field who have forensic psychology expertise can earn up to $130,000 per year.2 The online BA in Psychology: Forensic Psychology degree will prepare you for a variety of in-demand, competitive psychology positions within the mental health, criminal justice and legal fields.
Explore Major CareersLearn from Industry Experts
At The American Women’s College, your learning is expanded by the rich workplace experience our faculty bring to the classroom. Faculty are professionals who hold an array of titles in the fields they teach. Their involvement in the day-to-day challenges of their role and industry brings curriculums to life with real-world examples as you connect what you learn to what they share.
Faculty Spotlight
Each faculty member at TAWC incorporates real industry experience into each lesson. As a student, you’ll receive personalized, one-on-one support and graduate fully prepared to face the challenges of your chosen field.
Michelle McGrath, MA, Senior Director, Psychology Programs
Michelle comes to Bay Path with a combination of experience in the field of psychology as well as higher education. She began her career working as a licensed clinician in a variety of mental health settings, and eventually transitioned to working in higher education where she could combine her interests.
Prior to coming to Bay Path University, she worked at Southern New Hampshire University supporting students in a variety of roles, including university counselor, academic advisor, and adjunct faculty member. An undergraduate education major, Michelle has found that her passion lies with education and student support. Having worked in both a traditional and online undergraduate program, Michelle is able to apply her broad experience to enhancing The American Women’s College psychology program both online and on ground. She is inspired daily by the stories of her students and the motivation and dedication they have for their education.
Choose Your Major
Customize your BA in Psychology program by choosing from a variety of career-focused majors designed to help you achieve your professional goals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Explore our frequently asked questions for in-depth answers. If you don’t find what you’re looking for, reach out to us.
Choosing a major for your degree allows you to gain career-ready skills in a specific area of expertise. These specialty skills will allow you to stand out among other professionals in your field and better compete for the position you want.
You’ll complete 120 total credits to earn the online Forensic Psychology degree. You can review courses now.
No, a major is not required for the online BA in Psychology program. You may choose the standard Psychology degree or one of five major options, which include:
- Child Psychology
- Counseling Foundations
- Forensic Psychology
- Foundations of Alcohol & drug Abuse Counseling
- Human Services & Rehabilitation
You can learn more about coursework for this program on our curriculum page.
The requirements for the online BA in Psychology program include:
- Submit your application.
- Submit official high school transcripts and college transcripts if applicable.
- Have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0.
You can learn more about our admission requirements on our admission page.
Yes. All students of the online BA in Psychology program are required to take the same psychology core courses. This provides the flexibility to change majors during the program without the risk of losing credits.
Those who hold an online Forensic Psychology degree often pursue career titles such as probation officer and court liaison. According to information published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, this field is expected to grow 7% by 2031. Learn more about your career options by visiting our careers page.
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Occupational Outlook Handbook. “Psychologists.” Retrieved from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/psychologists.htm.
- Payscale. “Average Forensic Psychologist Salary.” Retrieved from https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Forensic_Psychologist/Salary.