Best Online Forensic Psychology Programs of 2025

If you’re curious about why people behave the way they do and how those behaviors intersect with the legal system, a degree in forensic psychology could be your gateway.

In this guide, we’ll break down the top online forensic psychology programs of 2025, so you can pick one that fits your goals, schedule, and budget.

According to BestColleges’ 2025 Online Education Trends Report:

Before you even apply for a forensic psychology program, you should consider several factors, including its cost, length, application requirements, and accreditation status.

The average price for an online bachelor’s in psychology is around $12,000 per year, according to 2020 data from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). That’s about $5,000 less than the price of on-campus education.

Financial aid can further lower the cost of an online degree to about $7,470 per year. However, these prices are averages, and tuition can actually vary greatly across schools.

With this in mind, complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to see if you qualify for federal, state, and institutional grants, scholarships, and loans.

Once you’ve submitted the FAFSA, you can list which schools you’d like to receive your information. These schools will then send you a personalized estimate of how much you’ll pay after financial aid is applied.

If you’re a full-time student taking 12-15 credits each semester, it will take you around four years to graduate. However, if you are part-time students taking between 3-12 credits, you’ll likely take between 4-6 years to graduate.

Some universities offer accelerated programs, which are designed to be completed in around 2-3 years. While graduating faster sounds ideal, accelerated programs can be challenging because of the heavier course load and faster pace.

You should also consider whether a school accepts transfer credits. Some schools offer degree completion programs, which are designed for students who already have college credits and want to finish their bachelor’s degree faster. Bay Path University, for example, lets you transfer up to 90 credits so you can graduate in as little as one year.

Most online forensic psychology programs require that you submit:

Understanding the paperwork you need to apply for colleges before starting the process can help you stay organized during application season. For instance, since taking standardized tests and requesting letters of recommendation takes time, it’s a good idea to know what you need to hand in ahead of time so you can plan accordingly.

Verifying if a school has institutional accreditation is one of the most important steps before applying. It ensures the degree program covers the skills you need to start a career once you graduate.

Accredited institutions are vetted by organizations like the Higher Learning Commission, the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, and the New England Commission of Higher Education, which are approved by the U.S. Department of Education.

These agencies evaluate faculty qualifications, academic rigor, student support services, graduation rates, and how well programs prepare students for real-world careers.

You can find a list of all accredited institutions on the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) or the U.S. Department of Education websites.

Your online forensic psychology program will cover the intersection of psychology, criminal justice, and the legal system.

Here’s a few examples of courses you may take at schools on our list:

No two programs are the same. Compare curriculums before applying to see how each program differs. You may find some have more strengths and weaknesses in psychology, law, or forensics.

Many schools offer online students support services such as virtual office hours, one-on-one mentorship, academic advising, professional development programs, and internships.

Maryville University, for instance, provides 24/7 academic and technical support, counseling, and life coaching. You can also use university resources — like LinkedIn Learning, Handshake and TechReady.io — to build your professional connections and skills.

When you compare these services across schools, you’ll get a clearer idea of which programs will help you succeed.

Three of the most common career paths you can follow with a forensic psychology degree are forensic science technician, probation officer, and detective. These roles don’t require licensure or certification. But certain positions, such as detective, usually require professional experience and proven investigative skills.

The fastest-growing field among these is forensic science technician, with a projected 13% growth rate from 2024-2034, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Probation officers and detectives roles, on the other hand, are projected to grow at 3% rate during this same period.