Forensic psychology sits at the intersection of behavioral science and the legal system — and for professionals already working in criminal justice, social services, or mental health, a master’s in the field can sharpen the expertise you’ve already built. This guide covers top online programs, what careers the degree realistically supports, licensure pathways, how costs break down, and the questions most applicants have before they apply.
Author: Kimberly Webster
Editor: Jordan Cosselman
Reviewer: Rebecca Newman, MSW
Expertise: Social WorkPsychologyMental Health- Inside Real Programs
An inside look at actual online programs, exploring their structure, curriculum, costs, admission criteria, and more…
Read more - Cost Breakdown
A clear overview of how much my degree might cost and the factors influencing total expenses…
Read more - Career Options
What doors open after graduating with my master’s degree…
Read more - Licensing Requirements
An explanation of necessary licenses and certifications, including requirements and steps to achieve them…
Read more - FAQs
Insightful and guiding answers to common questions prospective students like myself have about earning this degree…
Read more - Top Schools
Best Online Master’s in Forensic Psychology Programs
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School Spotlights: Popular Online Forensic Psychology Master’s Programs
Nova Southeastern University
One thing that sets Nova Southeastern’s MS in Forensic Psychology apart: students choose a concentration at the outset rather than following a single general track. The two options are:
- Forensic Psychology in the Legal System
- Mental Health Workers/First Responders
The 36-credit program is nonclinical, fully asynchronous, and requires no residency. Graduates move into roles in courts, corrections, or law enforcement, or continue to doctoral study for licensed clinical practice.
Duration: 2 years; 36 credits
Format: 100% online; asynchronous; no residency required
Cost: $925/credit; $33,300 total
Admissions Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree
- 3.0 GPA in the last 60 credits (preferred)
- Official transcripts
- Letters of recommendation
- Personal interview
- Statement of goals
University of North Dakota
Cost and accessibility are where UND’s MA stands out. At $589 per credit with a flat rate for all online students regardless of state, it’s the most affordable program in this comparison — and at 30 credits, it’s also the shortest. There’s no penalty for living out of state, which makes it worth a serious look for students anywhere in the country.
The curriculum is built around practical applications in criminal justice: criminal behavior, psychological assessment in legal contexts, and working with law enforcement and corrections populations. Coursework is fully asynchronous with no campus visits required.
Duration: 2 years; 30 credits
Format: 100% online; asynchronous
Cost: $588.65/credit; $17,659 total
Admissions Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree (preferably in a psychology-related field)
- Minimum 3.0 GPA
- Resume
- Personal statement
- Three letters of recommendation
- English language proficiency documentation (international applicants)
Arizona State University
ASU’s MS in Forensic Psychology is built for speed and research rigor. Eleven accelerated 7.5-week courses cover criminal behavior, psychopathology, and legal psychology — and with multiple start dates per year and no gaps between terms, the full 33 credits can be completed in 18 months.
The emphasis on research methodology makes it a well-regarded launch point for students planning to pursue doctoral study.
One practical note: a completed research methods course is required for admission. Students without one in their undergraduate record will need to complete it before starting the program.
Duration: 18 months; 33 credits
Format: 100% online; multiple start dates per year; accelerated 7.5-week terms
Cost: $703/credit; $23,199 total
Admissions Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree in a related field
- Minimum 3.0 GPA in the last 60 credits of undergraduate work
- Transcripts
- Personal statement
- Letters of recommendation
- Completion of a research methods course (prerequisite)
Program Costs and Financial Considerations
Total tuition across the three programs here runs from $17,660 at UND to $33,300 at Nova Southeastern. The gap reflects both the public vs. private distinction and the difference in credit requirements — UND’s 30-credit program costs less partly because fewer credits are required to graduate.
A consistent advantage of online programs: flat per-credit rates regardless of residency. Out-of-state students at public universities like UND pay the same as in-state students, which removes one of the biggest cost variables in graduate school and makes these programs genuinely accessible from anywhere in the country.
Other costs to plan for include:
- Technology and program fees — typically $100–$300 per term, charged on top of per-credit tuition
- Textbooks and course materials — roughly $100–$300 per course; many programs use digital materials that reduce this
- No relocation or commuting costs — a meaningful savings compared to residential programs, especially in high cost-of-living metro areas
OMD’s financial aid guide covers federal loans, scholarships, and employer tuition assistance in detail. The guide to paying for your master’s degree is also a useful starting point for building a funding plan. If affordability is the primary criterion, OMD’s list of the most affordable online psychology programs includes options beyond the three programs here.
| School | No. of Credits | Cost per Credit | Total Tuition |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nova Southeastern University (MS) | 36 | $925 | $33,300 |
| University of North Dakota (MA) | 30 | $588.65 | $17,660 |
| Arizona State University (MS) | 33 | $703 | $23,199 |
What You Can Do with a Forensic Psychology Master’s
The degree is more versatile than many applicants expect going in — and more limited in specific ways than some expect as well. Being clear-eyed about both is useful. For a broader look at psychology career trajectories, our psychology careers guide covers salary data and growth projections across specializations.
Here are the most common roles forensic psychology master’s graduates move into, along with what each actually involves:
- Victim Advocate — Guides crime victims through the legal process, explaining their rights, connecting them with support services, and in some cases accompanying them to court. One of the most direct applications of forensic training and typically accessible with a master’s alone.
- Correctional Counselor / Case Manager — Provides counseling inside prisons or probation programs, runs rehabilitation initiatives, and contributes to parole recommendations. State and federal corrections systems hire steadily for this role.
- Jury Consultant — Works with trial attorneys on juror research, courtroom communication strategy, and evidence presentation. Practitioners work either independently or through consulting firms.
- Probation or Parole Officer — Supervises community corrections cases, conducts risk assessments, and connects clients with rehabilitation services. A master’s typically supports advancement from entry-level positions.
- Federal Agency Analyst — Forensic psychology training is valued at agencies like the FBI and DEA for behavioral analysis, investigative support, or intelligence roles. Entry-level positions exist, though competition is high and hiring processes are extensive.
- Research or Policy Analyst — Studies criminal behavior patterns, evaluates justice system programs, or informs public policy. Common for graduates with a strong research focus, often based in universities, think tanks, or government agencies.
A few roles — forensic evaluator, licensed counselor, or licensed psychologist — require credentials beyond the master’s. See the licensure section below for specifics.
Expert Insight
Some of these roles often carry some of the same physical requirements as joining these agencies as a generalist, which can be rewarding if you also have a penchant for fitness!
Licensure and Credentials in Forensic Psychology
What you need after graduation depends entirely on what you want to do. Many forensic psychology careers require no professional license at all. Others require significant additional training. Here’s the breakdown, with state-by-state details available in our psychology licensure by state guide.
- Licensed Psychologist (Ph.D. or PsyD required) — A master’s alone does not qualify you for psychologist licensure in any state. You’ll need a doctoral degree, 1,500–3,000 hours of supervised experience (varies by state), and passing scores on the EPPP. The forensic master’s can serve as a stepping stone toward doctoral applications, but it’s not a terminal credential for this path.
- Licensed Professional Counselor — Some forensic programs include counseling-relevant coursework or dual-track options. LPC licensure requirements vary by state and almost always include supervised clinical hours and a state licensing exam. If LPC is your goal, verify the program’s curriculum against your state’s specific requirements before enrolling. Our guide to online mental health counseling programs covers dedicated counseling paths if that’s the priority.
- No License Required — Victim advocacy, jury consulting, correctional case management, most federal analyst roles, and research positions don’t require professional licensure. The master’s degree combined with relevant field experience is the credential.
- ABPP Diplomate in Forensic Psychology — An optional advanced credential for licensed psychologists who want to demonstrate forensic specialty expertise. Awarded by the American Board of Professional Psychology through work sample review and oral examination. This is a post-licensure credential, not a path for master’s-level practitioners.
For certifications that complement a forensic psychology master’s without requiring a doctorate, see our guide to online psychology certificate programs.
Expert Insight
Just because a role isn’t explicitly “clinical” and doesn’t require licensure doesn’t mean that you won’t be providing supportive, meaningful, and psychologically-minded care during your work in this field.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much interaction is there with professors and classmates in an online program?
More than the asynchronous format might suggest. Discussion boards, collaborative case analyses, group research projects, and virtual office hours are standard in these programs. Many use live video sessions for case study discussions or presentations. Faculty are typically reachable by email, video call, or chat, and some programs assign dedicated academic advisors.
The experience is different from a physical classroom — but engagement with faculty and peers is built into the structure, not left to chance.
What practical or hands-on experience is available?
These are non-clinical programs, so there are no required in-person practicums.
Practical application happens through case study simulations, applied research projects, and coursework grounded in real criminal justice scenarios. Some programs have relationships with courts, correctional agencies, or law enforcement and can facilitate optional field observations or volunteer placements locally.
If field experience is important to you, ask programs directly about their partnerships and what they can help arrange in your area.
Will employers take an online forensic psychology degree seriously?
Yes, provided the institution is properly accredited. Courts, corrections agencies, and federal employers evaluate degrees based on accreditation and institution reputation, not delivery format. Your diploma won’t specify “online.”
It’s worth mentioning hands-on projects or research work during interviews to demonstrate practical preparation, but the credential itself is treated equivalently to a campus degree.
Can I keep working while enrolled?
Most students do. All three programs above are asynchronous — no required login times, no live sessions you have to attend at a fixed hour. You work through material and submit assignments within weekly deadlines on your own schedule.
Taking one or two courses per term rather than a full load is common and manageable alongside full-time work. ASU’s accelerated format, with back-to-back 7.5-week terms, does carry a heavier weekly commitment than the other two programs if you’re pushing through at full speed.
What’s the practical difference between an MS and an MA in forensic psychology?
For job applications and licensing purposes, very little. Both degrees cover comparable content and qualify graduates for the same roles.
The MS label is loosely associated with a heavier research and quantitative methods emphasis; the MA label loosely associated with applied or theoretical focus. In practice, employers and licensing boards treat them identically.
What matters more: the curriculum content, available concentrations, faculty background, cost, and whether the program’s structure fits how you need to study.