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The number of Americans sentenced through the criminal justice system has skyrocketed in the past 40 years. From 1980 to 2020, the total adult correctional population, which includes incarcerated persons, parolees, and those on probation increased by 250 percen,t according to the U.S. Department of Justice, and 500 percen,t according to research from the Sentencing Project.
While the national debate rages on about whether prosecution or intervention is the best crime prevention, professionals in the criminal justice system need knowledge and skills to serve the public. With a certificate in forensic psychology, social workers, criminal justice professionals, and healthcare workers can address abnormal behavior to help victims recover, reduce crime, and lower incarceration rates.
For those considering a career change to become a psychologist, a forensic psychology certificate program provides a preview to graduate-level work, but will not lead to a career as a licensed psychologist. Many programs allow students to transfer credits earned in certificate programs toward graduate-level studies. Most licensed psychologists and counselors have a master’s or doctoral degree. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS 2024) shows that careers in psychology are projected to grow 7 percent from 2023 to 2033, faster than the average for all occupations (4 percent), and psychologists earn median salaries of $92,740 per year.
Forensic psychology includes several disciplines: social services, psychology, criminology, and legal studies. This field attracts professionals from different backgrounds. Many forensic psychology programs are offered online and designed for working professionals, offering students the chance to specialize or pivot into a new career or advanced degree program.
Graduates from forensic psychology certificate programs go on to pursue work in social service agencies, police departments, the military, court-approved special services, healthcare organizations, community outreach services, law enforcement, child welfare protection, and prisons.
Read on to learn more about online forensic psychology certificate programs.
Types of Online Forensic Psychology Certificate Programs
There are three types of forensic psychology certificate programs: undergraduate, graduate, and professional accredited programs.
Graduate certificates are the most common type of forensic psychology certificate program offered. They are designed for students with bachelor’s degrees and some work experience. Upon completing a graduate forensic psychology certificate, students can pivot their new skills and expertise into different careers or new roles, leverage their knowledge towards a pay raise, or apply to graduate school to earn a master’s or PhD degree.
Undergraduate certificates are less common but are offered by some schools to undergraduate students who want an extra add-on to their bachelor’s degree program. In addition, courses may include minor degree-level courses and serve as proof of knowledge for future employers or admissions committees for graduate degree programs.
Professional certificates are offered by online learning platforms such as Udemy. While universities do not offer these programs, some are accredited by leading institutions that certify or support professional and academic rigor in forensic psychology.
Most of the certificate programs featured here are graduate-level certificates, with some undergraduate and professional certificate options included.
Online Certificate Programs in Forensic Psychology
Concordia University St. Paul offers a 15-credit online graduate certificate program in forensic behavioral health. It requires five three-credit courses in human services and forensic behavioral health.
The curriculum emphasizes teaching and understanding common behavioral health conditions and risk factors. Upon completing this program, students can become courtroom advocates and enhance their human services credentials.
Approved by the American Institute for the Advancement of Forensic Studies, this graduate certificate focuses on forensic disciplines and criminal justice issues. The curriculum includes courses such as family violence, PTSD & trauma; human services; research methods in human services; psychopathology in human services; and ethical and legal considerations in human services.
- Location: St. Paul, MN
- Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
- Expected Time to Completion: Nine months
The Department of Graduate Psychology at Montclair State University in New Jersey offers a forensic psychology certificate program. Designed for graduate students, licensed mental health professionals, nurses, social workers, and other professionals, this hybrid program offers instruction through real-time virtual courses and in-residence seminars. Students can partake in forensic or clinical practice and count these experiences towards eligibility for professional licensure or diplomate status.
Courses include psychological science and the law; forensic interviewing of children; interpersonal and familial violence theories; criminal forensic assessment; interventions in forensic psychology; and forensic psychology in criminal proceedings. Upon completing this program, graduates can pursue unique forensic psychology roles or graduate studies in psychology.
- Location: Montclair, NJ
- Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
- Expected Time to Completion: One year
Washington University in St. Louis
The Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences offers a certificate in forensic psychology. This 15-unit program covers five disciplines, including police psychology, investigative psychology, criminal psychology, correctional psychology, and legal psychology. Courses include introduction to criminology; introduction to forensic psychology; sex trafficking; juvenile delinquency; introduction to forensic anthropology; introduction to psychopathology and clinical psychology; principles of forensic assessment; and gender and crime.
Graduates from this program continue their professional work with law enforcement, and community services agencies or pivot to pursue graduate studies in psychology, forensic science, and criminal justice. High school graduates and undergraduates with bachelor’s degrees from Washington University at St. Louis can apply to this program through the undergraduate admissions office.
- Location: St. Louis, MO
- Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
- Expected Time to Completion: One year
The University of North Dakota offers a nine-credit forensic psychology program. It takes one year to complete and provides three admissions deadlines throughout the year. Courses include practical experiences in psychology; abnormal psychology; social psychology; conflict management; and introduction to criminal justice.
Graduates will learn theoretical and practical knowledge of psychological concepts, statistical evaluation, and communication skills relevant to the legal system. Courses are taught by highly experienced faculty in eyewitness testimony, psychology, and legal studies.
- Location: Grand Forks, ND
- Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
- Expected Time to Completion: One year
Rosemont College’s School of Professional Studies offers an online graduate certificate in forensic psychology designed to train professionals to work within the civil and criminal justice systems, including criminal, family, and civil court systems. This program is specifically ideal for intelligence analysts, law enforcement personnel, social workers, first responders, probation/parole agents, corrections officers, nurses, mental health workers, members of CISM Teams, disaster relief workers, emergency management personnel, and public health professionals.
Consisting of 12 credits, the program includes courses such as contemporary issues in forensic psychology; psychology and sociology of information security; victimology; juvenile justice, delinquency, and development; and offender treatment.
Graduates will be qualified to be employed in forensic settings such as fusion centers, child welfare agencies, mental health facilities, crime centers, community mental health centers, prisons, government agencies, juvenile correction facilities, disaster relief teams, family courts, private practice, and law firms.
- Location: Rosemont, PA
- Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
- Expected Time to Completion: One year
Additional Forensic Psychology Certificate Programs
Forensic psychology certificate programs are offered as an add-on to an undergraduate or an introduction to graduate-level coursework. In addition, some certificate programs are offered as professional programs outside of universities.
Here is a list of additional on-campus and online forensic psychology certificate programs:
- St. John’s University (on-campus) – Forensic Psychology Certificate
- University of Massachusetts Lowell (online) – Graduate Certificate in Forensic Criminology
- Udemy (online) – Accredited Forensic Psychology Certificate
Additional Forensic Psychology Degree Programs
As mentioned above, some schools offer certificates as an add-on to a bachelor’s degree or a graduate-level certificate to those who have completed a bachelor’s degree program. In addition, many graduate certificate programs allow students to transfer credits to a master’s program.
Here’s a list of forensic psychology master’s degree programs:
- Arizona State University (online) – Online Master of Science in Forensic Psychology
- Southern New Hampshire University (online) – Online Master’s in Forensic Psychology
- Walden University (online) – Online Master of Science in Forensic Psychology
- University of North Dakota (online or on-campus) – Masters of Science in Forensic Psychology
While most graduates from forensic psychology certificate programs continue working or apply for master’s programs, others pursue forensic psychology doctoral degrees such as PhD or PsyD programs to become licensed psychologists.
To learn more about online degree programs in forensic psychology, please visit our online degrees and certificate programs on the forensic psychology page.
Admissions Requirements for Online Forensic Psychology Programs
Admissions requirements vary depending on the institution, but here are some standard admissions requirements for online undergraduate and graduate certificate programs:
- An application
- A minimum GPA of 3.0 or higher
- Bachelor’s degree
- Letters of reference
- Official transcripts
- Personal statement
- Professional experience
- Reliable access to digital devices and internet connectivity
Accreditation for Online Forensic Psychology Programs
When researching academic programs, finding an accredited school is essential. Schools and programs that hold accreditation at the institutional or programmatic level have met rigorous standards of educational quality set forth by regional and professional organizations.
The U.S. Department of Education approves the following six regional accreditation bodies through the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA):
- Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC) Western Association of Schools and Colleges
- Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
- New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)
- Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
- Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
- WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC)
State authorization is another essential factor for distance education students to consider. This refers to the admissions policies of a particular institution and whether it can accept and confer degrees to students living in the state where the institution is located. Before applying, prospective students are encouraged to contact programs to confirm whether their state of residence allows or prohibits them from earning a certificate or degree.
Rachel Drummond, MEd
WriterRachel Drummond has given her writing expertise to ForensicsColleges.com since 2019, where she provides a unique perspective on the intersection of education, mindfulness, and the forensic sciences. Her work encourages those in the field to consider the role of mental and physical well-being in their professional success.
Rachel is a writer, educator, and coach from Oregon. She has a master’s degree in education (MEd) and has over 15 years of experience teaching English, public speaking, and mindfulness to international audiences in the United States, Japan, and Spain. She writes about the mind-body benefits of contemplative movement practices like yoga on her blog, inviting people to prioritize their unique version of well-being and empowering everyone to live healthier and more balanced lives.