Forensic Psychology

Master of Arts in Forensic Psychology

A two-year, full-time program, the Master of Arts in Forensic Psychology is designed to prepare students to provide assessment and treatment services in a forensic setting or for further training at the doctoral level. Students will be trained in psychological testing, treatment, research methodology and psychopathology.

Internships and practica are available at a variety of forensic sites. Experiences include the areas of group psychotherapy, sex offender treatment, individual psychotherapy, psychological testing and specialized assessment techniques. Research-based internships are also available.

Academic Program
The Master of Arts in Forensic Psychology curriculum is arranged in two tracks: (1) Non-Thesis/Practitioner (for students seeking specialized training in psychology prior to entering the work force as master’s level forensic practitioners), and (2) Thesis (for students seeking master’s level training in psychology as preparation for future study toward a doctoral degree in psychology). The nine-course core sequence provides students with the breadth and depth needed in both the theoretical foundation as well as the research and skills necessary to become forensic psychologists. Students then select four electives from various areas within Forensic Psychology. Finally, students take six credits of Thesis or Practicum according to their track, for a minimum of 45 credits.

Requirements for the Master of Arts in Forensic Psychology Program
All courses are three credits unless otherwise indicated

A. Required Courses: 27 credits

PSYCH	501	Research Design
PSYCH	502	Quantitative Methods I
PSYCH	503	Forensic Psychology
PSYCH	504	Psychology and the Law
PSYCH	505	Introduction to Clinical Assessment: Objective Tests
PSYCH	532	Cross Cultural Psychology
PSYCH	550	Ethics in Professional Psychology

An additional assessment course (choose from the following)

PSYCH	506	Assessment in Criminal Law
PSYCH	507	Assessment Issues in Civil Law

A psychopathology course (choose from the following)

PSYCH	520	Developmental Psychopathology
PSYCH	521	Adult Psychopathology
PSYCH	525	Psychology of Criminal Behavior

B. Advanced Electives: 12 credits selected from the following:

PSYCH	508	Forensic Report Writing
PSYCH	509	Methods of Psychotherapy I
PSYCH	510	Quantitative Methods II
PSYCH	511	Children, Adolescents and the Law
PSYCH	512	Child Assessment
PSYCH	513	Vocational Training
PSYCH	515	Introduction to Group Counseling
PSYCH	519	Methods of Psychotherapy II
PSYCH	530	Special Topics in Psychology
PSYCH	531	Family Violence
PSYCH	533	Law and Mental Health
PSYCH	534	Advanced Developmental Psychology
PSYCH	535	Group Dynamics: Methods and Design
PSYCH	540	Advanced Personality Psychology
PSYCH	550	Professional Ethics in Psychology

C. Thesis/Practicum: six credits selected according to the student’s track:
Pre-service students take: PSYCH 598: Practicum TWICE for total of 6 credits

Thesis students take:
PSYCH 597 Thesis AND PSYCH 598: Practicum
Or
PSYCH 597 Thesis TWICE for total of 6 credits.
(minimum of 45 credits)

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