Top Online Forensic Psychology Programs 2026: Compare Top Schools & Find Your Fit
What are the best colleges for forensic psychology? This guide helps you find the top schools for your career goals.
The forensic psychology field has captivated people around the world, partly due to the popularity of police procedural dramas on television. However, beyond entertainment, this interdisciplinary field can provide prospective students with a fulfilling and practical career path.
By combining principles of psychology and law, forensic psychology students learn how to navigate the complex intersection of mental health and the criminal justice system. Discover some of the best forensic psychology programs, admission requirements, and factors to consider when choosing a program.
The Best Forensic Psychology Programs of 2026
Bay Path University – Best for Hands-On Forensic Training
- Longmeadow, MA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
Why We Chose BPU: Dedicates Six Credits to Experiential Learning
We chose Bay Path’s bachelor’s in psychology program for its hands-on experience opportunities, including paid co-op experiences for students who qualify, as well as a 240-hour required internship in their senior year.
You’ll have opportunities in the sheriff’s office, domestic violence shelters, and after-school programs. The online program features seven-week accelerated courses that explore how psychology influences criminal behavior, substance use, personality, and cultural diversity. The program comprises 32 credits of electives and concludes with six credits in experiential learning, including a psychology internship, practicum, or research.
Other Highlights
- Accepts up to 90 credits
- Four start dates
- Curriculum is founded on the APA’s five pillars and guidelines for bachelor’s curriculum.
Considerations
- All women's university (online programs open to men and women)
- Flat tuition rate of $410 per credit
- Minimum GPA of 2.0
93%
$37,227
69%
$37,227
- Acceptance Rate
- 73%
- Students Enrolled
- 2,643
- Institution Type
- Private
Bushnell University – Most Advanced Preparation for Investigative Roles
- Eugene, OR
- 2 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
Why We Chose Bushnell: Gain Skills Necessary for Forensic Assessment
Bushnell’s bachelor’s in psychology offers an 18-credit concentration in forensic psychology that prepares students with skills in forensic assessment, criminal profiling, victim advocacy, and correctional psychology. The concentration prepares students to become correctional treatment specialists or parole or probation officers. Students must also complete core courses, such as psychology of religion, along with a capstone and internship.
You’ll complete a required internship and forensic internship course. Then, you’ll take six credits in law or criminology courses in criminal investigation, criminology, or victimology. You’ll also take six credits in psychology courses, such as the psychology of trauma, theories of personality, or cross-cultural psychology.
Other Highlights
- Offers a pre-law pathway
- Earn up to 30 credits with prior learning assessments
- Yellow Ribbon school
Considerations
- Curriculum taught with a Christian worldview
- No application fee
- $36,600 annual tuition
63%
$34,500
76%
$34,500
- Acceptance Rate
- 67%
- Students Enrolled
- 761
- Institution Type
- Private
Columbia College – Most Flexible Start Dates
- Columbia, SC
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
Why We Chose Columbia College: Choose From Seven Annual Enrollment Windows
Columbia College’s forensic psychology program features seven-week asynchronous courses with seven start dates in January, March, May, June, August, and October. The fully online program prepares students for graduate study to become licensed forensic psychologists, who assist law enforcement in criminal investigations and criminal profiling.
Major coursework requires 46 credits and provides students with foundational knowledge in criminal justice, law, psychology, and their intersection. Courses include addictions, courts, statistics, lifespan development, ethics, and constitutional law.
Other Highlights
- Free e-textbooks
- Transfer up to 90 credits, including 24 training hours
- Small class sizes
Considerations
- Test scores and letters of recommendation are optional.
- Online tuition costs $427 per credit plus a technology fee of $27 per credit.
55%
$15,980
53%
$15,980
- Acceptance Rate
- 96%
- Students Enrolled
- 1,572
- Institution Type
- Private
Maryville University of Saint Louis – Most Connected to Law Enforcement and Justice Systems
- Saint Louis, MO
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
Why We Chose Maryville University: Partners with Internship Sites in Substance Use, Mental Health, Law Enforcement and Government
We chose Maryville’s bachelor’s in forensic psychology because it is closely connected to various internship locations, helping students graduate with experience working with diverse populations. All students complete a 135-hour internship in a mental health or substance use clinic, a government agency, or a corrections and probation setting.
You’ll also complete 27 credits in psychology core, 27 credits in criminal justice, 18 credits in social science research, and 14 credits in electives. You’ll finish the course with a senior capstone and three credits in an internship.
Other Highlights
- Apply up to 12 credits toward both your undergraduate and graduate degrees
- Three start dates
- Curriculum aligned with the American Psychological Association standards
Considerations
- Tuition costs $575 per credit, plus a $475 technology fee per semester.
- No application fee or test scores required
- Minimum 2.5 GPA required
84%
$24,766
85%
$24,766
- Acceptance Rate
- 95%
- Students Enrolled
- 9,261
- Institution Type
- Private
How We Identified Top Schools and Programs
Our editorial team reviewed each school and program to identify standout characteristics, prioritizing factors like flexibility, affordability, hands-on experience, and relevance of the curriculum to a career in psychology. We assigned each school a superlative category based on its strengths.
Since many psychology programs share similar course offerings and outcomes, our goal is to support your program selection process by highlighting features that matter to you most.
We verified these school and program facts in November 2025.
How To Choose A Forensic Psychology Program
When comparing forensic psychology programs, it’s important to consider several factors, including its accreditation, how well it can prepare you for potential careers, and the total cost after financial aid.
Other important considerations include the program’s admission requirements and format.
Use the following five factors to help you analyze potential schools and create a shortlist of options:
Accreditation
If you’re studying psychology at the bachelor’s level, make sure the school you attend is accredited. Look for accreditation endorsements from organizations recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.
Graduate students can look for programs accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA), which only accredits graduate degrees, including master’s in forensic psychology and doctoral programs.
APA accreditation is especially important if you’re planning to become a licensed forensic psychologist. Many state-level licensing agencies require candidates to hold APA-accredited doctoral degrees.
Admission Requirements
Schools vary in their admission standards: Some have more inclusive policies, while others are selective and competitive. In either case, you’ll want to ensure your academic and personal backgrounds match the admission requirements published by the school.
Career Relevance
Schools offer specialized forensic psychology degrees at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. Look carefully at program objectives and available courses to ensure they align with your interests and goals. You can also complete an undergraduate psychology generalist program before pursuing a forensic specialty as a graduate student.
Flexibility
If you need scheduling flexibility, look at each program’s offerings. Some programs follow only full-time, in-person delivery formats, which may not be ideal for working adults and other nontraditional learners.
Online psychology programs generally maximize flexibility, especially if they have asynchronous courses with no set class times. Studying part-time can also make scheduling easier, but it also extends your completion timeline.
Cost and Financial Aid
Forensic psychology programs can be expensive, but it’s possible to minimize future student debt. Look beyond tuition fees to consider what each school offers in terms of scholarships and financial aid awards. These funding sources can dramatically reduce the amount you actually pay out-of-pocket.
Many of the best colleges for forensic psychology offer graduate students additional funding, especially at the doctoral level. These may include grants, tuition waivers, teaching positions, and stipends. Applying for these opportunities can help control college costs.
How To Apply To A Forensic Psychology Program
While each school has its own application process, many forensic psychology colleges share common requirements. The steps outlined below describe the typical college application process:
- Step 1: Meet Admission Requirements
Associate and bachelor’s forensic psychology programs typically require a high school diploma or its equivalent and a minimum grade point average. Some may also require SAT or ACT scores.
As a graduate applicant, you’ll likely need at least a bachelor’s degree in a related area like criminal justice, psychology, or a related social science field. You may also need high grades in your undergraduate major coursework.
- Step 2: Research Testing Requirements
While many schools have moved away from mandatory testing requirements, they may still apply. As an undergraduate, you might need ACT or SAT scores. As a graduate, you may need to submit GRE or MAT scores.
If schools require tests, they’ll often specify the minimum scoring requirements you must meet for admissions consideration. You can also contact the school to request this information if it isn’t readily available.
- Step 3: Prepare Supporting Documentation
Schools commonly require these additional documents and materials:
- Academic transcripts from all schools you’ve previously attended.
- A personal essay or statement of purpose describing your career plans and reasons for applying.
- Letters of recommendation from people who know you well academically or professionally, such as teachers, guidance counselors, or supervisors who can endorse you as a strong program candidate
Some schools may also use admissions interviews to evaluate applicants.
- Step 4: Submit Your Application
Pay any application fees, and check to see if the school requires additional proof of payment. Double-check all your application materials for accuracy and completeness, and submit your documents as instructed by the school or its psychology department.
Frequently Asked Questions
Forensic psychology is the field of psychology that specializes in law and criminality. Forensic psychologists work in the criminal justice system, government, legal system, and programs to prevent crime. They also support survivors or help prevent people who committed crimes from recommitting.
Forensic psychology focuses on understanding the intersection of psychology and the legal system, including the causes and prevention of crime and offender profiling.
