Bachelor’s in Forensic Psychology Guide

Forensic psychologists make a positive impact on the criminal justice system. Their research and testimony help law enforcement and legal professionals understand why crime happens, help advocate for survivors of crime or trauma, and they provide needed mental health services for those involved in the legal system.

Although you need a doctorate to work as a licensed forensic psychologist, a bachelor’s in forensic psychology degree introduces you to the field and qualifies you for entry-level positions. You can also use your degree to apply to graduate programs.

Fortunately, many bachelor’s in psychology programs offer a general curriculum, letting you select another psychology discipline if your interests change.

Forensic psychologists provide necessary psychological intervention for people involved in the legal system and law enforcement. They accomplish these goals by interviewing suspects and survivors, performing assessments, and collaborating with other mental health professionals. Their findings help psychologists in all disciplines better understand human behavior.

Forensic psychology jobs’ responsibilities vary but may include testifying in court. Testimony helps jury members understand why a crime happened and return a fair verdict. Forensic psychologists can also recommend that a suspect lacks the mental capacity to stand trial.

Forensic psychologists’ unique job responsibilities require knowledge of behavioral, cognitive, developmental, and social psychology. Other psychologists may focus their entire career on one of these topics. As a result, forensic psychology attracts the most dedicated psychology professionals.

Forensic psychologists play a vital role in the criminal justice system. However, earning a forensic psychology degree requires time, money, and dedication. Many potential pros and cons exist.

Use the table below to find out whether a forensic psychology online degree aligns with your education and career goals.

Consider many factors when choosing a forensic psychology degree, such as cost. You may need student loans to attend a private four-year college or university.

You should also compare on-campus and online programs. The latter may offer flexible, asynchronous education. This feature can benefit you if you plan to work or raise children while in school.

Remember to research student outcomes. A large percentage of graduates enrolling in a master’s in forensic psychology program shows their undergraduate education prepared them well.

The latest data from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) shows that a public four-year college’s cost of attendance (COA) exceeded $14,000 in the 2020-2021 school year. Private school degree-seekers paid about double that amount, with some schools charging much more.

You can reduce your COA in many ways, such as by earning an associate degree from a local community college. You can transfer this affordable degree to a bachelor’s-completion program.

Other options include applying to schools with generous institutional scholarships and grants. Remember to fill out the FAFSA, as your financial need may qualify you for federal grants or low-interest loans.

A bachelor’s in forensic psychology degree features core classes that nearly all undergraduate psychology programs require. You also complete upper-division concentration coursework. Your program’s class names and descriptions may differ from those below.

Admission requirements vary by college but include a high school or GED diploma. Your local community college may offer exam preparation classes and other resources if you need to study for the GED test. Some community colleges also administer the GED certificate on campus.

A typical application requires personal information and high school or GED transcripts. Four-year schools may also require ACT or SAT scores. However, they may waive this requirement if you graduated high school or passed the GED test more than five years before applying.

Competitive colleges require college application essays and recommendation letters. Letters should come from a teacher or work supervisor.

Some schools feature unique requirements, such as restricting applicants to those ages 21 and older. You may also need transfer credit to apply. Contact schools’ admissions departments to learn more about their credit transfer policies.

Although you need a doctorate to become a licensed forensic psychologist, a bachelor’s qualifies you for many entry-level positions. Work with your school’s career center advisors to explore these and other career paths.

You can advance your career in many ways, such as by gaining professional experience or earning a graduate degree. Discuss your career aspirations with supervisors, friends, and family to find out which path best aligns with your goals.

The answer depends on your academic and career goals. Consider both before starting a forensic psychology online degree. You may realize that another field of psychology interests you more.

A career in forensic psychology involves dealing with topics some may consider uncomfortable. You should reach out to practicing forensic psychologists about the profession’s unique challenges. Their valuable insights might lead you to new career paths.

Research forensic psychology salary potential before starting a degree. Some careers may offer little salary growth, especially if you do not earn a graduate degree. Your school’s career center can help you find the latest salary data for many jobs.

Note: The insights on this page — excluding school descriptions — were reviewed by an independent third party compensated for their time by BestColleges. Page last reviewed March 27, 2024.