The best online forensic psychology programs combine regionally accredited coursework, a curriculum built specifically around forensic psychology rather than a bolted-on elective, and a format that fits a working student’s schedule. This guide features ten accredited schools offering online bachelor’s and master’s degrees in forensic psychology, chosen for how they deliver on accreditation, curriculum depth, and flexibility so you can match a program to your career goals and budget.
Forensic psychology applies psychological theory to criminal investigations, courtroom proceedings, and correctional systems. Degreed professionals in this field work with offenders and victims, conduct child custody evaluations, consult on jury selection, and in some cases serve as expert witnesses. The programs below span the bachelor’s and master’s levels, and each one builds a curriculum specifically around forensic psychology rather than treating it as a single elective bolted onto a general psychology degree.
To learn more about how we build lists like this one, visit our page on how we choose the psychology degree programs we consider to be the best.
Bachelor’s or Master’s: Which Fits Your Forensic Psychology Goals?
A bachelor’s in forensic psychology, typically a BA that blends psychology coursework with criminal justice classes, prepares graduates for entry-level roles in victim advocacy, corrections, and law enforcement support, or serves as a foundation for graduate study. A master’s, usually an MA or MS in Forensic Psychology, goes deeper into forensic assessment, psychology and the law, and research methods, and opens doors to case management, policy analysis, and research roles.
Neither of these degree levels leads directly to licensure. In most states, the title “psychologist,” including “forensic psychologist,” is reserved for those who hold a doctorate (PhD or PsyD) and a state psychology license, though exact title-protection rules vary by state board. Several schools on this list, including Nova Southeastern University and Southern New Hampshire University, say directly that their forensic psychology programs don’t lead to licensure. If clinical licensure is the end goal, a bachelor’s or master’s in forensic psychology is best treated as a strong step toward doctoral study, not the final credential.
10 Best Online Forensic Psychology Degree Programs at a Glance
The table below breaks down these online forensic psychology programs by degree, tuition, and accreditation so you can compare them at a glance. Every school on this list holds regional institutional accreditation, the type most graduate programs and employers expect, and the same category that covers the vast majority of U.S. colleges. The American Psychological Association (APA) accredits only doctoral programs in clinical, counseling, and school psychology, so a bachelor’s or non-clinical master’s in forensic psychology is never “APA-accredited” on its own, regardless of what a program’s marketing implies. Tuition below is billed per credit unless noted, and every figure should be confirmed on the school’s current program page since rates change annually.
| School | Degree | Tuition | Accreditation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Maryville University | BA, Forensic Psychology | $575/credit | HLC (regional) |
| 2. The Chicago School | MA, Applied Forensic Psychology | ~$1,198/credit | HLC (regional) |
| 3. Walden University | MS, Forensic Psychology | Contact the school for the current rate | HLC (regional) |
| 4. Southern New Hampshire University | BA, Psychology (Forensic Psychology concentration) | $354/credit | NECHE (regional) |
| 5. University of North Dakota | MA, Forensic Psychology | ~$627/credit | HLC (regional) |
| 6. Grand Canyon University | MS, Psychology (Forensic Psychology emphasis) | ~$600/credit | HLC (regional) |
| 7. Capella University | MS, Clinical Psychology (Forensic Psychology specialization) | Competency-based, varies with transfer credits | HLC (regional) |
| 8. Nova Southeastern University | MS, Forensic Psychology | ~$755/credit | SACSCOC (regional) |
| 9. Florida Institute of Technology | BA, Applied Psychology (Forensic Psychology) | $552.50/course | SACSCOC (regional) |
| 10. Southern New Hampshire University | MS, Psychology (Forensic Psychology concentration) | $659/credit | NECHE (regional) |
1. Maryville University
Maryville’s online BA in Forensic Psychology/Criminal Justice pairs a 120-credit curriculum of psychology, criminal justice, and social science research coursework with a required internship in a setting the student chooses, such as corrections, victim assistance, or law enforcement, plus a senior capstone research project. The program is designed to meet APA guidelines for undergraduate psychology coursework, and Maryville’s Early Access option lets qualifying students apply up to 12 graduate-level credits toward a future master’s degree at the undergraduate tuition rate.
Maryville is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
2. The Chicago School
The Chicago School offers an online M.A. Applied Forensic Psychology program built for nonclinical roles like policy analysis, case management, and research, distinct from its campus-based, licensure-track forensic psychology counseling program. The curriculum covers ethics, psychopathology, mental health law, and substance abuse evaluation. More information on The Chicago School.
The Chicago School is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
3. Walden University
Walden’s online MS in Forensic Psychology is a non-licensure, 48-credit program built for students who want to apply psychological principles to criminal justice work rather than pursue clinical practice. Students choose between a General Program and a Self-Designed specialization covering areas like criminal justice, victimology, cybercrimes, and police psychology, and up to half the program’s credits can carry forward into Walden’s PhD in Forensic Psychology. More information on Walden University.
Walden is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
4. Southern New Hampshire University
SNHU’s online BA in Psychology with a concentration in Forensic Psychology builds on a liberal arts foundation and adds coursework on criminal behavior motives, courtroom psychology, and criminal profiling. The concentration doesn’t lead directly to licensure, but it gives graduates a foundation for entry-level criminal justice roles or further graduate study. See SNHU’s full program details.
SNHU is regionally accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE).
5. University of North Dakota
UND’s online MA in Forensic Psychology is a 30-credit program built around a supervised field placement and a thesis or independent research project, with electives in interrogation, eyewitness testimony, and psychology in education. Online students pay the same tuition rate regardless of residency, and the program has no GRE requirement. More information on the University of North Dakota.
UND is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
6. Grand Canyon University
Grand Canyon’s online MS in Psychology with an emphasis in Forensic Psychology focuses on criminal behavior theory, offender reintegration, and the legal system, with coursework aligned to APA guidelines for the broader psychology curriculum. The program is designed for students who already have a background in psychology or criminal justice and want to focus on reducing crime and improving rehabilitation outcomes. More information on Grand Canyon University.
Grand Canyon University is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), a status the school has held since 1968.
7. Capella University
Capella’s MS in Clinical Psychology with a Forensic Psychology specialization covers forensic assessment methodology, psychology’s role in the judicial system, and the differences between clinical and forensic practice, and many of its courses meet prerequisites for Capella’s PhD program. Capella’s GuidedPath format runs on a quarterly schedule, and total program cost depends heavily on how many credits a student transfers in, so a personalized cost estimate is the most reliable way to budget. More information on Capella University.
Capella University is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
8. Nova Southeastern University
NSU’s online MS in Forensic Psychology is a 36-credit, non-clinical program with two concentration tracks: Forensic Psychology in the Legal System and a track built for mental health workers, first responders, and disaster teams. NSU’s own program materials are direct about the field’s status, noting there’s no licensure or certification for forensic psychology in Florida or most states, and pointing graduates who want clinical licensure toward one of NSU’s doctoral psychology programs instead. More information on Nova Southeastern University.
Nova Southeastern University is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
9. Florida Institute of Technology
Florida Tech’s online BA in Applied Psychology, Forensic Psychology concentration, is one of only a handful of undergraduate forensic psychology programs in the country and the only one of its kind in Florida. The curriculum covers offender profiling, eyewitness testimony, and the psychological impact of trauma on victims and witnesses, billed on a per-course rather than per-credit basis. More information on the Florida Institute of Technology.
Florida Institute of Technology is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
10. Southern New Hampshire University
SNHU’s online MS in Psychology with a Forensic Psychology concentration is one of several concentration options inside its 36-credit MS in Psychology, alongside options like addiction studies and industrial-organizational psychology. All SNHU graduate psychology faculty hold doctoral degrees, and the program offers three start dates a year for flexible enrollment. More information on Southern New Hampshire University.
SNHU is regionally accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE).
What to Look For in an Online Forensic Psychology Program
Start with institutional accreditation. Every school on this list carries regional accreditation, which matters for financial aid eligibility, credit transfer, and graduate school admissions in a way that national accreditation doesn’t always match. Beyond that:
Check whether forensic psychology is a real concentration or a single elective. Some programs, like Maryville’s and Florida Tech’s, build an entire degree track around forensic and criminal justice coursework. Others offer forensic psychology as one concentration option within a broader psychology degree. Both models work, but they lead to different course loads.
Know what the degree does and doesn’t qualify you for. A bachelor’s or master’s in forensic psychology prepares you for research, case management, victim advocacy, and corrections-adjacent roles. It does not make you a licensed “forensic psychologist” who can conduct court-ordered evaluations or testify as a licensed expert. That title requires a doctorate and a state psychology license.
Compare the billing model, not just the sticker price. Some schools charge a flat per-credit rate, others price by the course, and a few, like Capella’s competency-based format, tie total cost to how many credits you transfer in and how quickly you move through the material. Get a personalized estimate before comparing schools side by side.
If forensic psychology turns out to be a step toward doctoral study and eventual licensure, our guide to becoming a forensic psychologist walks through the full education and licensure path.
Considering a different level or focus? See our related lists for the Top 10 Online Bachelor’s in Psychology Degree Programs, the Top 10 Online Master’s in Psychology Degree Programs, the Top 10 Online Child Psychology Degree Programs, or the Top 10 Online Sports Psychology Degree Programs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What degree do I need to work in forensic psychology?
A bachelor’s in forensic psychology or psychology qualifies you for entry-level roles in victim advocacy, corrections, and criminal justice support. A master’s opens doors to case management, policy analysis, and research roles. To use the title “forensic psychologist” and perform clinical evaluations, you need a doctorate (PhD or PsyD) and a state psychology license.
Can I become a forensic psychologist with an online degree?
You can complete the bachelor’s and master’s coursework that leads toward forensic psychology work entirely online, and several schools on this list, including Walden and the University of North Dakota, offer fully online master’s programs. Licensure as a psychologist still requires a doctoral program with supervised clinical hours, which most schools structure with at least some in-person or supervised field components.
Is an online forensic psychology degree respected by employers?
Employers generally care more about institutional accreditation and program content than delivery format. A degree from a regionally accredited school, whether earned online or on campus, carries the same academic weight. What matters most is that the school and program meet the accreditation and curriculum standards outlined above.
How much does an online forensic psychology degree cost?
Costs on this list range from around $354 per credit for SNHU’s undergraduate program to over $1,000 per credit for some master’s programs, with total program cost also depending on credit count and transfer credits accepted. Confirm the current rate directly on the school’s tuition page, since rates change annually.
Is forensic psychology the same as criminal justice?
No. Criminal justice focuses on the legal and law enforcement systems themselves, including policing, courts, and corrections. Forensic psychology applies psychological theory and research to those same systems, focusing on behavior, mental state, and assessment rather than legal procedure. Many forensic psychology programs include criminal justice coursework, but the degrees train for different skill sets.
Select your state below to find accredited psychology programs, application links, and licensing requirements for your jurisdiction.