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Program Overview
The Master of Arts (MA) in Forensic Psychology degree program is designed to educate and train individuals who are currently working, or wish to work, in fields that utilize the study and practice of forensic psychology. Curriculum is designed to provide for an understanding of theory, training, and practice of forensic psychology. It is designed to emphasize the development of students who are committed to the ethical provision of quality services to diverse clients and organizations. The program maintains policies and delivery formats suitable for working adults.
The MA in Forensic Psychology degree program is designed to provide coursework in forensic psychology for application to law enforcement, legal and organizational consultation, and program analysis.
Admission Requirements
- A bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution, a nationally accredited institution approved and documented by the faculty and dean of the College of Psychology and Behavioral Sciences, or an appropriately certified foreign institution.
- A 2.7 grade point average for the bachelor’s degree used as the basis of admission, or a grade point average of at least 3.0 (on a scale of 4.0) for the last 60 hours of coursework (including graduate work).
- A minimum score of 550 on the written TOEFL® or 79 on the TOEFL® Internet (iBT) is also required for all applicants whose native language is not English or who have not graduated from an institution at which English is the language of instruction.
- Completion of an interview with a member of the program Admissions Committee.
The application process for admission into the MA in Forensic Psychology degree program requires the submission of material that will enable the Admissions Department to verify the applicant’s academic qualifications for enrollment in the program.
Applicants to the program must submit the following materials by the application deadline:
- Completed Application for Admission Form
- Application fee (Non-refundable, except in California and Arizona. In the state of Arizona, the application fee is refundable if the application is canceled within three business days of the applicant signing the Enrollment Agreement.)
- Personal/professional goal statement with a self-appraisal of qualifications for the profession
- Current résumé (or career summary)
- Three completed Applicant Recommendation Forms
- If the basis of admission is an earned bachelor’s degree with a 2.7 grade point average, an official transcript from the degree granting institution
- If the basis of admission is a cumulative GPA of 3.0 (on a scale of 4.0) for the last 60 hours of coursework, official transcripts from all post-secondary schools attended during the 60 hours of study
Exceptions to the Minimum Grade Point Average
Applicants with grade point averages lower than the stated program minimums may be considered for admission with significant evidence of academic and professional potential demonstrated by the career and/or personal accomplishments indicated in the statement of academic and professional goals, the career summary, and academic or professional letters of recommendation. Exceptions must be recommended by the Admissions Committee and program chair. Exceptions must be justified, documented, signed, placed, and retained in the student’s academic file. Students admitted on an exception basis will be assigned provisional status. See “Exceptions to Admission Requirements ”.
Applications to Multiple Campuses
Applicants, who are undecided with respect to the location they wish to attend, should submit an application and full set of application materials to their location of first choice. Applicants who are accepted into their location of first choice and who, prior to beginning the program, determine they want to complete the same program at a different location, should notify the initial location of record of that intent. Provided that the same program is available, all previous approvals and credits accepted will remain in force. If an individual requests to change programs, he or she will need to meet all admission requirements of the new program.
Graduation Requirements
To be eligible for graduation in the MA in Forensic Psychology degree program, students must meet the following requirements:
- Satisfactory completion of 36 credit hours by the end of the fifth year of matriculation. The total credit hours must include:
- 30 credit hours of required core courses
- 6 credit hours of elective courses
- Successful completion of the field placement or Special Topics Paper
- Successful completion of the Comprehensive Examination
- Grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.0 (on a scale of 4.0)
- Completion of all requirements within five years of matriculation into the program
- A completed Petition to Graduate submitted to campus administration
Program Requirements
The MA in Forensic Psychology degree program requires the satisfactory completion of 36 semester credit hours distributed as follows: core course requirements, 30 credit hours; and elective requirements, 6 credit hours.
