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Ready to turn your fascination with criminal behavior into a powerful, purpose-driven career?
An advanced degree digs deep into the psychology of crime and human nature.
So, get ready to sharpen your expertise, elevate your credentials, and step confidently into a high-impact role at the intersection of mind and law.
The best online master’s in forensic psychology programs offer the perfect blend of advanced psychological theory and real-world application, all with the flexibility busy professionals need.
1 Oklahoma State University (OSU)

About
Oklahoma State University (OSU) was founded in 1890.
It is considered a top research institution and is well-ranked.
OSU Online is part of the university’s Institute for Teaching & Learning Excellence, which offers ten fully online degrees.
Currently, there are over 35,000 students enrolled.
Courses Offered
OSU offers a Master’s in Forensic Psychology and Science with a strong concentration in Criminal Investigations.
This degree is a non-thesis track and does not apply to clinical psychology studies.
The 32-credit-hour pathway includes studies in:
- Forensic Psychology
- Criminal Behavioral Analysis
- Abnormal Psychology
- Personality Disorders
- Capstone Project (required)
Oklahoma residents seeking an online degree pay $233.80 per credit hour.
Non-residents for online studies are charged $364 per credit hour.
Web and administrative fees are added per credit and semester.
Students interested in traditional tuition assistance can apply through the online academic application.
Contact Information
- Address: 219 Student Union, Stillwater, OK 74078
- Phone: 405-744-1000
- Website: Visit School Website
2 National University (NU)
About
National University (NU) has been a part of the San Diego, California, landscape since 1971.
Originally, its education options allowed working professionals a flexible way to advance their careers.
Presently, NU offers over 150 career-based undergraduate and graduate degree programs to 30,442 enrolled students.
Courses Offered
National University offers an online Master of Forensic Psychology.
The degree program starts on a rolling basis, each Monday.
Tutoring is free, and 24/7 support is available to all online students.
The degree program allows for concentrations in:
- General Forensic Psychology
- Threat Assessment and Management
Ten courses, 30 credits, can be completed in 16 months.
The pathway includes:
- Principles of Forensic Psychology
- Theories of Criminal Behavior
- Policy and Justice in Forensic Psychology
- Forensic Research
- Forensic Ethics
Completion of a supervised research project, similar to a Capstone, is required for graduation.
Application to the university is free.
GRE/GMAT scores or admission essays are not required.
Total degree program costs are approximately $27,910.
Tuition is $872 per credit, with a $130 per credit course material fee.
Graduate students can apply for traditional Financial Aid, grants, or work loan programs.
Contact Information
- Address: 9388 Lightwave Ave, San Diego, CA 92123
- Phone: 855-355-6288
- Website: Visit School Website
3 Grand Canyon University (GCU)
About
The private, Christian Grand Canyon University (GCU) calls Phoenix, Arizona home.
A combined 125,000 students attend GCU on campus and online.
The university supports 349 fields of study.
Courses Offered
Grand Canyon University offers a Master of Science in Forensic Psychology from the College of Psychology.
This degree allows students with either a foundation in psychology or criminal justice to advance their careers.
It explores both criminal behavior and societal responses.
The program is 100% online and requires 36 credit hours.
Each course averages 8 weeks long.
The program ending with a Capstone project for graduation.
Graduate studies in Forensic Psychology studies include:
- Social and Cultural Psychology
- Psychopathology of Crime
- Theories of Criminal Behavior
- Psychology and the Legal System
- Professional Capstone (required)
Online graduate programs cost $600 per credit hour.
Tuition does not include books or general fees and may incur degree-specific costs.
Luckily, GCU has no application fee.
Graduate students have access to traditional financial aid and grants as well as private loans and work-study programs.
Contact Information
- Address: 3300 W Camelback Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85017
- Phone: 602-639-7500
- Website: Visit School Website
4 University of North Dakota (UND)
About
The University of North Dakota (UND) is located in Grand Forks.
It was founded in 1883, pre-statehood, which was finalized in 1889.
UND is a top research and engineering institution known for aviation, space innovation, and the health sciences, including medicine.
Total enrollment is slightly over 15,000 for undergraduate, graduate, and online studies.
Courses Offered
The University of North Dakota offers a well-ranked online Master of Arts in Forensic Psychology.
The Master of Science in Forensic Psychology is only available on campus.
The master’s pathway is a 30-credit-hour program that takes two years to complete.
It is designed for professionals currently in law enforcement, the military, and community service.
Core courses cover studies in:
- Psychology and Law
- Cognitive Psychology
- Diversity Psychology
- Behavior Pathology
- Social Psychology
Online students pay $701.24 per credit hour for the degree.
UND charges additional degree-specific fees and graduation fees.
FAFSA, PELL grants, Stafford Loans, and private loans are accepted.
Contact Information
- Address: 3501 University Avenue Stop 8357, Grand Forks, ND 58202
- Phone: 701-777-3000
- Website: Visit School Website
5 Tuoro University (TU)

About
Touro University, a faith-based institution, was founded in 1970.
Ranked #1 for Colleges that Added Value by Money Magazine, it has more than a dozen United States-based undergraduate, graduate, and professional campuses.
The online division offers 100% online undergraduate and graduate degrees.
The total enrollment of TU is 19,000 students.
Courses Offered
Tuoro University offers a Master of Science in Forensic Psychology.
Focusing on 21st-century behavioral theories, the 36 credit hours can be completed by full-time students in roughly 12 months.
The program starts six times throughout the year.
There are also two specializations:
- Community Criminal Issues — focusing on juvenile delinquency and gang-related crime.
- Sex Offender Issues — exploring human sexuality and victimology.
The master’s degree includes in-depth study of:
- Theories of Criminal Behavior
- Professional Ethics
- Law and Forensic Psychology
- Psychopathology
- Forensic Assessment
Tuition at Tuoro University costs $875 per credit with course and degree specific fees per semester.
A master’s degree’s overall cost ranges from $25,000 to $40,000.
Traditional financial aid is considered as are scholarships, professional grants, and loans.
Contact Information
- Address: 10601 Calle Lee, Ste. #179, Los Alamitos, CA 90720
- Phone: 877-868-7690
- Website: Visit School Website
6 Arizona State University (ASU) (Online)

About
Arizona State University (ASU) has been part of Tempe, Arizona since 1885 when it was opened as the Territorial Normal School.
Ranked in the Top 10 for online programs, ASU serves a total of 100,000 students who are enrolled in 300 degree programs.
Courses Offered
ASU offers a Master of Science in Forensic Psychology with a focus on research and consultation.
The degree blends advanced principles in psychology with an in-depth understanding of mental disorders and how they affect criminal behavior.
Each class is 7.5 weeks long.
The 33-hour degree requires 11 courses covering:
- Advanced Correctional Psychology
- Advanced Forensics
- Psychopathology
- Psychology of Criminal Investigation
- Criminal Justice, Courts, and Sentencing
Application to the university is free.
Degree programs start throughout the year.
Online students are given free 24/7 support and academic counseling.
Tuition costs for the master’s program are $13,168 annually for full-time Arizona residents.
Non-resident tuition is $14,608 annually.
There are also additional course-specific fees.
Traditional Financial Aid options are open to all online students.
Contact Information
- Address: 1151 S Forest Avenue, Tempe, AZ 85281
- Phone: 855-278-5080
- Website: Visit School Website
7 The Chicago School (CS)
About
The Chicago School (CS) was founded in Chicago, Illinois, in 1979 to focus on professional psychology programs.
It has a 100% acceptance rate.
Currently, there are 6,000 students enrolled online and on-campus in the fields of health, business, and behavioral sciences.
Courses Offered
The Chicago School (CS) offers two Master of Arts in Forensic Psychology degrees:
- A. Applied Forensic Psychology
- A. Forensic Psychology — Professional Counselor Licensure
The 30-36 credit hour, non-licensure program is designed for professionals working in law enforcement and public policy. Degree take, on average, 10 terms to complete.
The Master of Arts in Applied Forensic Psychology degree offers concentrations in:
- Police Psychology
- Criminology
- Corrections
Examples of courses within the Applied Forensic pathway include:
- Introduction to Forensic Psychology
- Serial Killers by Type, Motives, Methods, and Victims
- Forensic Documentation and Testifying
- Ethics and Forensic Evidence
- Capstone Applied Research (required)
Tuition costs are $1,458 per credit hour for MA and MS degrees.
The Chicago School accepts most types of traditional financial aid, grants, and Stafford loans.
Additional fees are possible depending on degree.
Contact Information
- Address: 325 N Wells St, Chicago, IL 60654
- Phone: 800-721-8072
- Website: Visit School Website
8 Capella University (CU)
About
Capella University (CU), based in Minneapolis, opened its doors to students in 1993.
It offers 46 programs at the certificate, undergraduate, and graduate levels to over 41,401 students.
Courses Offered
Capella University offers a 100% online Masters in Clinical Psychology, with a concentration in Forensic Psychology.
This degree is designed for the student interested in clinical practice and theoretical research of human behavior and the criminal mind.
This degree is a good foundation for doctoral work.
Each course is 10 weeks long.
The 53-credit graduate degree lists the following coursework to fulfill the 13-course requirement:
- Introduction to Psychopathology
- Techniques of Forensic Practice
- Psychology and the Law
- Theories of Counseling and Psychotherapy
- Tests and Measurements
Tuition at Capella University is based on the quarter system with each credit costing $510, with 1 semester credit = 1.5 quarter credits.
Fees are added per credit hour.
Textbooks, course-specific materials, and equipment are not included in tuition.
The total cost of a two-year graduate degree without transfer credits, scholarships, or financial aid is $27,030.
Contact Information
- Address: 225 South 6th St, Minneapolis, MN 55402
- Phone: 888-227-3552
- Website: Visit School Website
Schools Summary Table
Salary
A Master’s in Forensic Psychology can advance a career to a forensic psychologist or a director position, with strong earnings and a solid job outlook.
Typical salaries range between $50,000 and $163,000 annually, with the median earning at $98K.
Depending on the agency, its location and size, and responsibilities, a director can earn upwards of $140,000.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, job growth expectations for fields related to forensic psychology is 7% from 2023 to 33, especially for leadership roles.

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