Skip to Main Content

College of Psychology and Community Services:
MS in Forensic Psychology

Walden University’s MS in Forensic Psychology prepares individuals to work within settings that integrate psychology and the legal system, including jails and prisons, community corrections offices, law enforcement agencies, the military, victims’ advocacy programs and systems, and governmental agencies focused on criminal justice and crime.

Forensic psychology is a rapidly growing field. This program emphasizes the integration of psychology into forensic settings. It is especially geared toward professionals interested in career advancement and enhancement, rather than a move into clinical forensic practice with clients.

Thus, instead of leading to licensure or practice within forensic or correctional systems, graduates of this program leverage the benefits of psychology and clinical understanding to positively impact the larger forensic and criminal justice systems and to enhance personal career opportunities through graduate education.

The Walden focus on social justice and community benefit will give graduates the edge in making these systems that touch thousands of lives more functional and able to serve the populations within them.

Note on Licensure

The MS in Forensic Psychology is not a licensure program and does not prepare an individual to become a licensed psychology professional.

Learning Outcomes

At the end of this program, students will be able to:

  1. Analyze the role of psychology within the legal system.  
  2. Apply advanced psychological concepts and principles to promote social change within forensic settings.
  3. Apply principles of research design to forensic psychology research.  
  4. Analyze professional roles and responsibilities that are unique to the practice of forensic psychology.  
  5. Evaluate relevant ethical codes used in forensic work settings.  
  6. Apply psychological theories relevant to criminal behavior in forensic psychology settings.  
  7. Evaluate the psychological and risk assessment strategies used within forensic psychology.

Degree Requirements

  • 48 total quarter credits
  • Foundation course (3 credits)
  • Core courses (25 credits)
  • Specialization courses (15 credits)
  • Capstone or Virtual Field Experience course (5 credits)

Curriculum

Foundation Course (3 credits)

  • Students may take this as a non-degree course.

Core Courses (25 credits)

  • Students may take this as a non-degree course.
  • Students may take this as a non-degree course.
  • Students may take this as a non-degree course.

Specialization Courses (15 credits)

These courses are dependent upon the particular specialization. Please see the course list on each specialization page.

Capstone Course (5 credits)

 Choose one:

OR