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Online PsyD Programs – Forensic Psychology Doctorate

We’re a nation of mystery lovers. The literary genre remains strong and constant from old-timey deductive sleuths like Sherlock Holmes to pulp detective paperbacks to newer thrillers set in the digital age. We also seem perpetually intrigued by why people act the way they do, especially those who commit violent crimes. Short of a manifesto, a clear confession, or a public statement, most criminals rarely share their motivation, which leads to all sorts of speculation about the possible role of nature vs. nurture; the purported failure of schools, religious institutions, or government systems; or alleged influences of everything from video games to rock music.

There’s one career path in particular for people to learn about human motivations and share their professional opinions: forensic psychology. This mental health professional plays an important role in the modern justice system. They may be asked critical questions about a suspect’s mental health, which can affect whether they understand the charges against them and can stand trial or need to be institutionalized. They can analyze family dynamics in family court and recommend whether a parent is fit or unfit. They may determine whether someone truly has post-traumatic stress disorder, create threat assessments, develop and perform appropriate testing, or serve as expert witnesses in court cases.

Overall, the conclusions of professional forensic psychologists carry significant weight and responsibility, as they can permanently affect the lives of individuals, families, and even entire communities. That’s why a high level of academic knowledge and professional experience is required to become a forensic psychologist. This includes undergraduate- and graduate-level degrees (e.g., a PhD or PsyD) from programs accredited by the American Psychology Association (APA), and sitting for several comprehensive licensing exams. Beyond being just a step in an extensive process, doctorate programs in psychology can provide a blend of advanced theory, leadership skill-building, and the opportunity for research. Students learn about analytic methods and criminal justice trends.

In the past, graduate education in forensic psychology was limited to on-campus programs. These days, however, there are a number of reputable online forensic psychology doctorate degrees as well, which can accommodate the schedules of working parents, people who live far away from campuses, and other people with time constraints.

A doctorate can open a variety of career opportunities, including roles as faculty members, psychotherapists, consultants, researchers, or analysts for local, state, or national government entities or law enforcement.

Discover what to expect from an online forensic psychology doctorate, including the expected coursework and many more such details.

Featured Doctoral Programs in Psychology
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Featured Online PsyD Programs

Please note that while some of these programs aren’t strictly in forensic psychology, online psychology doctorate students can focus their clinical research or projects in that area with permission.

California Southern University

CalSouthern’s School of Behavioral Science prepares students for various practice options, including all the requirements for a clinical psychology license in California.

Students spend much of the 66-credit online program focusing on a doctoral project, including an action-research project; a clinical application or analysis on a certain topic; or a discussion about a current topic that can provide guidance. Students can elect to complete this work in the forensic subfield. The general program focuses on counseling and therapy, and less on research and statistics.

The core curriculum includes courses such as advanced theories of personality; history and systems of psychology; ethical and professional issues; advanced psychopathology; cognition, emotion, and motivation; psychopharmacology; physiological psychology; statistical methods and analysis; and research methods in psychology.

  • Location: Chandler, AZ
  • Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
  • Expected Time to Completion: Four to five years (full-time)

University of Arizona Global Campus

This online doctor of psychology program includes three concentrations, and those interested in the forensic field can consider a focus in criminology and justice studies. This concentration discusses the efficiencies of different criminal organizations and institutions.

The 62-credit program teaches modern mental and emotional health topics, including a history of psychology and different research and diagnosis methods. Students also learn about different crime methods based on social or economic conditions, and how to assess rehabilitation efforts. Doctoral students must create a dissertation summarizing a current topic. Completing the program won’t automatically qualify a student for a license in their particular state; additional learning may be necessary.

Courses in the criminology and justice studies specialization include psychology of leadership, contemporary criminological theory, advanced analysis of criminal justice processes, juvenile justice, types and characteristics of crime, evidence-based practice, mental health and crime, evaluating criminal justice interventions, and research conceptualization and design.

  • Location: Chandler, AZ
  • Accreditation: WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC)
  • Expected Time to Completion: About three years

Capella University

The doctor of psychology PsyD program at Capella University helps students deepen their understanding of human behavior and prepares them for state licensure eligibility. This program includes face-to-face residencies, coursework, clinical practicum, research, and internships to help students put theory into practice.

Offered online and in-person, applicants to this 145-credit program must have a master’s degree and are not required to submit GRE or GMAT scores. This program prepares students to seek licensure as clinical psychologists using APA-approved methods. The program is primarily online, but students are required to attend six residency seminars (four, one-week sessions and two separate two-week sessions), complete a practicum internship, and a clinical dissertation.

Within the general PsyD program, several specialization courses can be helpful to those seeking forensic-based knowledge. Courses in this program include techniques of forensic practice; multicultural perspectives in human behavior; theories of counseling and psychotherapy; strategies of clinical supervision and consultation; ethics and standards of professional practice in clinical psychology; human sexuality; issues and trends in addiction-related treatments; psychopharmacology; current issues and trends in forensic practice.

  • Location: Minneapolis, MN
  • Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
  • Expected Time to Completion: 5 to 7 years

Walden University

While not exactly a PsyD degree, this doctoral program is the only online PhD program specifically focused on forensic psychology.

This online PhD in forensic psychology accepts up to 53 transfer credits from qualifying academic work. In addition to a general track, the program is offered in several specialization tracks, including criminal justice (self-designed), crisis leadership management, crisis response, crisis leadership management, legal issues in forensic psychology, victimology, and a self-designed option. However, as of this writing, only the general and self-designed options are accepting new students.

Once admitted, students in this program are sorted into two tracks: Track I is for students with a master’s degree in forensic psychology, and Track II is designed for bachelor’s or master’s degree holders from disciplines other than forensic psychology. Students in Track I complete 80 quarter credits and students in Track II complete 110 quarter credits.

Courses include abnormal behavior; criminal behavior; treatment of forensic populations, the psychological aspects of violent crime; victimology; themes and theories of psychology; and understanding forensic psychology research, among others. Additionally, students need to complete a dissertation and four four-day residencies.

  • Location: Minneapolis, MN
  • Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
  • Expected Time to Completion: 2.5 to 8 years

Admissions

Candidates for PsyD programs can approach from two directions: having only a master’s degree or having a master’s degree and a standard PhD (e.g., if a medical professional wants to expand their skills in the psychology realm). Other academic or professional requirements vary by institution, but generally these can include:

  • A master’s degree from an accredited U.S. school with a competitive GPA (>3.2)
  • Letters of recommendation, especially from past employers or academic supervisors, such as department heads or program chairs
  • Transcripts from all academic programs, including workshops or seminars
  • A personal statement expressing interest and sharing a summary of experiences
  • TOEFL scores if a foreign student
Writer

Farheen Gani

Farheen Gani writes about forensics schools across the United States, and has covered topics such as forensic chemistry and forensic science and biochemistry since 2018. She writes about healthcare, technology, education, and marketing. Her work has appeared on websites such as Tech in Asia and Foundr, as well as top SaaS blogs such as Zapier and InVision. You can connect with her on LinkedIn and Twitter (@FarheenGani).

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