8 Best Online Bachelor’s in Forensic Psychology Degree Programs

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If you’re fascinated by the minds of criminals and dream of turning curiosity into a career, forensic psychology could be a perfect match.

The best online bachelor’s programs in forensic psychology explore the intersection of psychology and the justice system.

These flexible, engaging programs prepare you to analyze physical evidence and human behavior.

A perfect foundation for law enforcement, corrections, and mental health services, these affordable online programs make it easy to schedule studies to chase your passion.

1 Arizona State University Online (ASU)

About

Arizona State University (ASU)was founded in Tempe, Arizona in 1885 as the Territorial Normal School.

Ranked in the Top 10 for online bachelor programs, ASU serves a total of 100,000 students.

Over 300 online degree programs are taught by the same campus-based faculty.

Courses Offered

ASI offers a Bachelor of Arts in Forensic Psychology from the College of Psychology.

The degree blends a foundation in psychology with an understanding of mental disorders and coursework in criminal law and behavior.

Each class is 7.5 weeks long.

The 120-hour degree requires 39 courses, including:

  • Introduction to Psychology
  • Criminal Mind
  • Psychological Disorders
  • Forensic Psychology
  • Psychology and Law

Application to the university is free.

There are several program start dates throughout the year.

Free 24/7 support is available to all online students.

Total degree program costs are approximately $13,030 annually, with additional fees possible.

Contact Information


2 Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU)

About

The Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) was founded in 1932 and developed an online platform in 1995.

Awarded for its innovation, this New Hampshire educational icon lists 200 degree and certification programs.

Currently, the majority of the student body, 184,000, attend SNHU classes online, with only 3,000 on-site.

Courses Offered

Southern New Hampshire University offers a Bachelor of Arts in Forensic Psychology is a foundational psychology degree.

The pathway requires 40 courses — each 8 weeks long.

The 120-credit hour online pathway includes general education courses in statistics and English.

Once complete, students then focus on forensic psychology courses:

  • Fundamentals of Forensic Psychology
  • Criminal Minds
  • Psychopathology and the Community
  • Cross-cultural Psychology
  • Evaluation of Special Populations

The university’s online community offers camaraderie and support.

Each student is matched with an academic advisor and career consultant.

SNHU tuition is one of the lowest of all the online programs.

A bachelor’s costs $39,600, or $330 per credit hour.

Traditional Financial Aid is available for eligible students, and SNHU offers payment options.

Contact Information

  • Address: 2500 North River Road, Manchester, NH 03106
  • Phone: 800-915-7648
  • Website: Visit School Website

3 Eastern Kentucky University (EKU)

About

The Kentucky legislature established the Eastern Kentucky State Normal School in 1906.

It was renamed Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) in 1966 and currently serves over 15,000 students across 100 undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs.

Courses Offered

Eastern Kentucky University offers a 100% online Bachelor of Science in Forensic Psychology from the College of Psychology.

Relying on evidence-based practices, the curriculum combines psychology, law, and science.

The bachelor’s pathway consists of 120 hours.

In addition to foundational coursework, a forensic psychology degree includes:

  • Introduction to Forensics
  • Physiological Psychology
  • Forensic Psychology
  • Expert Witness Testimony
  • Capstone in Forensics

The cost of the undergraduate program is a flat rate of $4,915 per 12-hour semester for full-time students.

Part-time and online studies are calculated at $443 per credit hour.

There are also general college fees and course-specific costs.

Non-conventional credit, such as life, military, or work experience, can reduce final costs.

Students are also encouraged to apply for Traditional Financial Aid, and employer-based scholarships are accepted.

Contact Information


4 Maryville University (MU)

About

Maryville University (MU) was originally founded in 1872 by the Religious of the Sacred Heart for young women.

Based in St. Louis, Missouri, MU has a total enrollment of 9,000 students with 5,400 seeking online degrees.

Maryville University has been designated a “Military Friendly” school and a top “Apple Distinguished School.”

Courses Offered

The online Bachelor of Arts in Forensic Psychology blends foundational psychological knowledge and the legal system.

A BAFP can be applied to a career as a jury consultant, correction consultant, or expert witness.

The degree routinely takes three to four years to complete for full-time students.

In addition to general education, the 128-credit-hour, American Psychological Association-approved pathway includes:

  • Forensic Psychology
  • Biological Psychology
  • Police Psychology
  • Criminal Behavior
  • Criminal Law and Procedure

The cost of the undergraduate program is $575 per credit hour.

There are also general college fees and course-specific costs.

Traditional Financial Aid, grants, and scholarships can be combined with transfer credit and non-traditional credit.

Contact Information

  • Address: 650 Maryville University Drive, St. Louis, MO 63141
  • Phone: 314-445-4864
  • Website: Visit School Website

5 Grand Canyon University (GCU)

About

The faith-based Grand Canyon University (GCU) is based in Phoenix, Arizona.

Over 125,000 students attend GCU both on campus and online.

The university supports 349 degrees in one of nine colleges.

Courses Offered

Grand Canyon University offers a Bachelor of Science in Forensic Psychology degree that follows American Psychological Association (APA) standards and is part of the College of Psychology.

Graduates with this degree investigate the motivators of criminal behavior.

Forensic psychologists also work in fields that assist victims of violent crime.

The program is 100% online and requires 120 credit hours ending with a Capstone project for graduation.

The degree begins with basic education and a seminar on Christian worldviews.

Forensic Psychology studies are listed as:

  • General Psychology
  • Cognitive Neuroscience
  • Understanding Trauma and Victimology
  • Abnormal Psychology
  • Capstone project (required)

Online undergraduate programs cost $485 per credit hour.

Tuition does not include books or general fees.

Specific degree paths may incur additional costs.

However, GCU has no application fee.

Online students have access to most traditional financial aid and grants.

Contact Information


6 Walden University

About

Walden University has a unique approach to online education.

Founded in 1970, it offers online programs for over 82 undergraduate and graduate degrees.

Courses are provided at two learning speeds.

Course-based which has weekly deadlines allowing completion of a Bachelor’s in 48 months.

Tempo-Learning, an alternate approach, is self-directed and can significantly accelerate a bachelor’s degree completion to 16 months.

Courses Offered

The Walden University Bachelor of Science in Forensic Psychology is administered by the College of Psychology and Community Services.

The degree combines criminal justice and psychology skills into 181 quarter credits (1 semester = 1.5 quarters).

The Bachelor of Science can also be planned as a dual bachelor’s/master’s program.

The BS in Forensic Psychology first provides foundational education.

Next, courses that explore psychology and a forensic concentration are given, such as:

  • Intro to Psychology
  • Theories of Personality
  • Psychological Disorders
  • Forensic Investigation
  • Capstone project (required)

Standard tuition costs for a Bachelor of Science is $350 per quarter-hour, $46,000 after application of the BELIEVE & ACHIEVE SCHOLARSHIP.

The accelerated ‘Tempo’ program can significantly reduce costs to an estimated $17,500.

During the Tempo track, students work with a personal academic coach.

Military tuition discounts and traditional Federal Aid are available for eligible students.

Contact Information

  • Address: 100 Washington Avenue S., Suite 900, Minneapolis, MN 55401
  • Phone: 866-492-5336
  • Website: Visit School Website

7 Louisiana State University (LSU)

About

Louisiana State University (LSU) is home to Mike the Tiger.

Founded in 1953 in Baton Rouge.

Total enrollment is at a record high – 37,881 students.

Online enrollment stands at 4,761 for both undergraduate and graduate degrees.

The psychology and sociology degrees at LSU have been ranked among the Best Online Bachelor’s Degrees in 2025 by U.S. News & World Report.

Courses Offered

LSU offers a Bachelor of Science in Forensic Psychology.

Careers for a forensic psychologist range from criminal investigator to UX designer.

Test optional, LSU does not require SAT/ACT scores to apply.

In addition to basic education, the 120-credit hour program includes courses in:

  • Introduction to Forensic Psychology
  • Race and Psychology
  • Introduction to Psychological Disorders
  • Social Psychology
  • Capstone (required)

The Omega Nu Lambda Honor Society is open to all qualified online students.

Tuition costs for the online Bachelor of Science in Forensic Psychology is $399 per credit hour — $47,880.

There are no out-of-state costs for online students.

Traditional financial aid applies to online programs, and all students are encouraged to apply during admission.

Contact Information

  • Address: 495 E. Parker Boulevard, Baton Rouge, LA 70808
  • Phone: 833-280-5634
  • Website: Visit School Website

8 Columbia Southern University

About

Columbia Southern University (CSU) Orange Beach, part of Alabama’s Gulf Coast, ranks in the top 2% with the highest online student enrollment.

It was founded in 1993, and currently reports over 15,950 students are enrolled worldwide.

Courses Offered

The CSU Bachelor of Science in Psychology program is taught with a concentration in Forensic Psychology, blending forensic approaches to psychosocial needs and the judicial system.

Offered completely online, the program is flexible and asynchronous.

The degree requires the completion of 120 hours of general education and forensic psychology courses.

Completion of a Capstone project is required for graduation.

The syllabus lists the following forensic psychology courses:

  • Introduction to Psychology
  • Abnormal Psychology
  • Theories of Personality
  • Forensic Psychology
  • Judicial Process

Tuition for the bachelor’s degree is $278 per credit hour.

Textbooks are included in the cost.

However, additional degree-specific expenses are extra.

The university also accepts up to 90 hours of transfer credit as well as traditional Federal Financial Aid.

Contact Information

  • Address: 21982 University Lane, Orange Beach, Alabama 36561
  • Phone: 800-977-8449
  • Website: Visit School Website

Schools Summary Table

Rank School
#1Arizona State University Online (ASU)
#2Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU)
#3Eastern Kentucky University (EKU)
#4Maryville University (MU)
#5Grand Canyon University (GCU)
#6Walden University
#7Louisiana State University (LSU)
#8Columbia Southern University

Salary

A Bachelor’s in Forensic Psychology can open doors to roles such as forensic case manager, detective, corrections counselor, and jury consultant.

It can also serve in advertising or UX and AI development.

Salary ranges vary by position, earning between $40,000 and $90,000, while experienced professionals may reach $125,000 or more.

The broader field of psychology is expected to grow 7% from 2023 to 2033, faster than average, a positive outlook that applies to forensic psychology specialties too.

Chelsea Wilson
Chelsea Wilson is the Community Relations Manager for Washington University School of Law’s distance learning LLM degree program, which provides foreign trained attorneys with the opportunity to earn a Master of Laws degree from a top-tier American university from anywhere in the world.

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