Online Bachelor's in Forensic Psychology Degree

Ready to put your love of psychology to use making a difference in your community? Maryville University’s online Bachelor of Arts in Forensic Psychology program is your opportunity to apply the science of the mind in the court and corrections systems, social services, and private sector to help protect society from crime.

This 128-credit online program brings you experiential learning opportunities and coursework in three distinct areas — psychology, criminal justice, and social science — to give you a comprehensive understanding of the modern forensic psychology landscape. If you’re brave enough to pursue a career in this exciting field, we’re here to help you get started.

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Benefit from psychology coursework designed to meet American Psychological Association standards

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Explore financial aid and eligible transfer credit options

Gain Early Access Eligibility — get a head start on your graduate degree.

Why Earn a Forensic Psychology Degree Online?

If you have an interest in studying human behavior and analyzing the intricacies of legal cases, then a career in forensic psychology may be for you.

Forensic psychology online degree students study human psychology as it pertains to the law. Because of their deep understanding of human behavior and criminology, bachelor’s degree graduates are well-positioned for careers in fields such as law enforcement and social services. You may choose to work your entire career in these fields having earned a bachelor’s degree, or you may opt to pursue a master’s degree or doctorate to unlock the most prestigious positions — and highest salaries — this discipline has to offer.

What Can You Do with a Forensic Psychology Degree?

Forensic psychologists apply their clinical psychology skills to any number of situations connected to crime and the law. For example, forensic psychologists may play a major role in legal proceedings, helping to determine the objectivity of potential jurors or the validity of insanity pleas. They may take a hands-on approach to crime solving, collaborating with law enforcement agencies and prosecutors’ offices to analyze violent criminals at large, examine evidence from crime scenes, and evaluate suspects’ histories. Forensic psychologists may also work in mental health facilities and prisons, giving input on patient or inmate behavior, or as victim advocates, offering support and social welfare services to people victimized by crimes.

Forensic Psychology Career Opportunities

Because forensic psychology has applications in many areas, job prospects in this field are broad and varied. Completing your online bachelor’s in forensic psychology at Maryville can help qualify you for roles such as:

Community service specialist
Forensic psychologist
Forensic social worker
Jury consultant

Police officer, detective, or criminal investigator
Probation/correctional counselor
Probation/correctional officer

Social and community service manager
Social science research assistant
Victim advocate

In settings such as:

Corrections and probation
Education

Law
Law enforcement

Psychology
Social services

Find out more about BA in Forensic Psychology careers.

What Is the Median Forensic Psychology Degree Salary?

With your online bachelor’s in forensic psychology, you can build a foundation to pursue careers with median salaries such as:

Forensic psychologist

$73,000**

Probation officer or correctional treatment specialist

$55,690*

Social and community service manager

$69,600*

Forensic social worker

$51,760*

Police officer, detective, or criminal investigator

$67,290*

Social science research assistant

$49,210*

*U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2020; **PayScale.com, August 2021

Build the Skills to Succeed in Forensic Psychology

Maryville’s online bachelor’s degree in forensic psychology blends foundational social sciences, such as human development, sociology, and various disciplines of psychology, with criminal theory and investigation, psychological testing, and professional skills, such as critical thinking and research methodology.

Students complete a 135-hour internship in their chosen setting, as well as a senior project capstone experience. Both components help prepare you for the world of psychology and criminal justice.

That means you get to explore an area of interest hands-on — whether it’s probation and corrections, substance abuse clinics, or government agencies — and learn what it takes to succeed in that role while building valuable experience for your resume.

Through the capstone experience, you’ll team up with a faculty member and your fellow students to take part in a research project that gives you a firsthand look at how the fields of psychology and criminal justice are progressing.

Why Choose Maryville for Your Forensic Psychology Degree?

Maryville University has been connecting motivated professionals with industry expertise since 1872. We focus on teaching first and foremost, employing renowned faculty members who value experiential learning, especially in the forensic psychology program.

Here at Maryville University, 96% of students who complete our online undergraduate programs find a new career in their chosen field or enroll in advanced education programs within six months of graduation.

Why Maryville?

Maryville meets high standards:

Maryville University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission

Bachelor of Arts in Forensic Psychology Curriculum

Because forensic psychology has applications in so many areas of the legal and criminal justice system, a diverse foundation of forensic and psychological knowledge is paramount for forensic psychology graduates. That’s why Maryville’s online bachelor’s degree in forensic psychology curriculum includes electives and courses in general education, psychology, and criminal justice, in addition to a social science research sequence and 135 to 150 hours of practicum experience.

Full-time students with eligible transfer credits may be able to complete the online bachelor’s in forensic psychology program in less than two years.

Psychology Core Courses (27 credits) — Strengthen your understanding of human psychology through a series of courses in critical thinking, abnormal psychology, social psychology, testing, forensic psychology, cognition, and more.

Criminal Justice Core Courses (27 credits) — Learn the principles of criminal justice theory and procedure with a series of courses covering topics including corrections, criminal behavior, police psychology, juvenile delinquency, investigations, and multicultural issues.

Social Science Research Sequence (18 credits) — The social science research sequence includes a series of courses designed to help students gain an interconnected understanding of how to craft research, analyze results, and present findings.

Internship (3 credits) — Personalize your internship based on your specific area of interest.

Electives (14 credits) — Round out and customize your education with your choice of electives.

Get Started on Your Graduate Education with Early Access

At Maryville University, you can get a head start on your graduate degree while earning your online bachelor’s in forensic psychology through our Early Access program.

With Early Access, you can earn up to 12 credits that count toward your master’s degree and your bachelor’s. Credits you earn through Early Access are charged at the undergraduate tuition rate, meaning you can save time and money on your graduate education.

To qualify for Early Access, you must be a current Maryville undergraduate student and have completed at least 75 credit hours with a GPA of 3.25 or better. If you qualify and have not yet completed your elective requirements, we invite you to contact your academic advisor to explore Early Access and learn more about some of our exciting online graduate programs.

You can get more out of your online bachelor’s in forensic psychology by pairing it with one of the following master’s degrees:

Master of Health Administration (MHA): Choose from four concentrations: Senior Services, Population Management, Data Management, and Healthcare Strategies.

Master of Business Administration (MBA): Tailor this program to align with your career goals. Select from 12 concentrations, including Health Administration and General Management.

Master of Arts in Management and Leadership: This program is designed to help you prepare for a senior-level management position in your desired field.

Master of Arts in Strategic Communication and Leadership: Learn to lead through an immersive curriculum that gives you the opportunity to study theory, gain practical experience, and earn relevant professional certifications.

Frequently Asked Questions

What can I do with an online bachelor's degree in forensic psychology?

Forensic specialists work on the front lines of important cases, interacting closely with victims and offenders and conducting valuable research used by law enforcement.

Completing your online bachelor’s in forensic psychology degree at Maryville helps you qualify for roles in law enforcement, social services, corrections and probation, and other settings.

Popular careers for Maryville forensic psychology graduates include:

Forensic psychologist
Police officer, detective, or criminal investigator
Probation/correctional officer
Social and community service manager
Victim advocate

Find out more about BA in Forensic Psychology careers.

What is the median salary for graduates of a forensic psychology degree online program?

Is the online bachelor's degree in forensic psychology accredited?

How long is the online bachelor's degree in forensic psychology program?

How does Early Access work for the forensic psychology degree online program?

With Early Access, students in our online bachelor’s in forensic psychology program can get a head start on earning a graduate degree by taking graduate-level courses that count toward their undergraduate and graduate degrees. Furthermore, graduate-level Early Access courses are billed at the undergraduate tuition rate — so students save time and money.

Our Master of Health Administration (MHA), Master of Business Administration (MBA), Master of Arts in Management and Leadership, and Master of Arts in Strategic Communication and Leadership are among the many Maryville graduate degrees that offer Early Access options for students enrolled in our online bachelor’s in forensic psychology degree program.

If you’re interested in participating in the Early Access program, you should apply one semester before you plan to start taking Early Access courses. To apply, you must have completed at least 75 credit hours and have a cumulative GPA of 3.25 or higher. Through the program, you can earn up to 12 credit hours toward your master’s degree. Our advisors can help you select your Early Access courses, which must be taken one at a time.

Learn more about the Early Access program

How does this program differ from the criminal justice/criminology degree?

While forensic psychology and criminal justice are both rooted in the observation of crime as a social phenomenon, there are important differences. Forensic psychology delves deep into the human psyche with the goal of bettering society by shedding light on the causes and effects of crime. Criminal justice, on the other hand, is centered on developing an understanding and appreciation of the legal and societal dynamics related to criminality, the law, and law enforcement. Popular careers for forensic psychology graduates include forensic psychologist, victim advocate, and probation or correctional specialist. Graduates of criminal justice programs often go on to serve as police officers or detectives, computer forensics investigators, or DEA agents.

Apply to the online bachelor’s in forensic psychology degree program at Maryville University.

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Online Forensic Psychology Bachelor’s Degree