Forensic Psychology
Master of Science in Clinical Psychology

Interested in developing a professional understanding of the criminal mind? Our online master’s in clinical psychology, forensic psychology specialization equips you with skills and insights to advance your abilities in a specialized field. This program helps you develop research and evidence-based practices with a focus on cultural and social diversity. You’ll explore the intersection of human behavior and the criminal mind, while strengthening your grasp of criminal law and legal institutions. The coursework is also designed to set you on a direct path to doctoral study.

Scholar-practitioner faculty

Learn the latest in theory and practice from experienced doctoral faculty who are actively engaged in their professions.

Relevant & applicable

Our competency-based learning model allows you to apply new and valuable skills to the work you do every day.

Direct path to doctoral study

The coursework meets many of the prerequisites for PhD and professional doctorate programs in psychology, helping to set you on a direct path to doctoral study.

Classes start August 9

Use the code SPRING to waive the $50 application fee.

At a Glance

Online
5 Core courses
6 Specialization courses

Admission requirements

Applicants to the MS in Clinical Psychology, Forensic Psychology program must provide the following information for admission:

A bachelor’s degree from an institution accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, or from an internationally recognized institution
Your official bachelor’s transcripts, with a grade point average of 2.3 or higher on a 4.0 scale
A valid, government-issued form of photo identification
A $50 nonrefundable application fee, required at the time of application, to cover transcript requests, transcript evaluation, and other administrative costs

GRE and GMAT are not required for admission.

International student requirements

If you completed your most recent academic coursework, degree, or credential at an institution outside the United States, regardless of your citizenship or where you currently live, you are considered an international applicant.

In addition to the above admission requirements, you will need to submit these materials:

Minimum score on acceptable test for proof of English proficiency
Transcript evaluation

Learn more about international student admissions.

GUIDEDPATH

A structured learning format with an active peer community and faculty guidance. We’ll set the schedule, you meet the deadlines.

Learn more about GuidedPath »

Based on the quarter system; 1–3 courses per 10-week quarter
1 semester credit = 1.5 quarter credits
Weekly assignments and courseroom discussions
Pay for what you take, price varies by courseload or term

$18,430–$26,235^* MAX TRANSFER CREDITS–AVERAGE TRANSFER CREDITS

$485 per credit, 53 total quarter credits, 15 max transfer credits

Learning outcomes »

View all tuition and fees »

*This is only an estimate, using general program pricing, and it does not include fees (including application and resource kit fees). Your price may be higher or lower depending on your specialization, transfer credits, and tuition discounts. If transfer credits are allowed in this offering, the prices above show what you would pay if you brought in the average number of transfer credits and the price if you brought in the maximum allowed transfer credits.

Questions about cost?

Contact an enrollment counselor.

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Employer and association discounts

If your employer or organization is a Capella network partner, you may be eligible for a discount. Ask your employer what offers are available.

Military discount

Capella offers a tuition discount to active-duty service members and their spouses, Guard and Reserve members, and veterans.

Transfer credits

Get the credits you deserve. You may be able to save time and money on your Capella degree by transferring credits from an accredited university.

Show course with description

PSY6210	Introduction to Psychopathology In this course, learners examine the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of various forms of psychopathology throughout the lifespan. Learners review the etiology of psychopathology; examine theories and research of psychopathology; and explore current methods of psychological interviewing, assessment, diagnosis, and treatment. Learners also discuss the politics of mental disorders, emerging diagnoses, and ethical and multicultural issues associated with psychopathology.	5 quarter credits
PSY7610	Tests and Measurements This course focuses on essential concepts, principles, applications, and social and theoretical issues of psychological testing. Learners gain understanding in the construction of tests; analyze the development and use of tests in measuring aptitudes, achievement, attitudes, interests, and personality; and identify underlying theories of various tests. Learners analyze the characteristics desired in psychological and educational tests, with particular emphasis on reliability and validity, and examine best practices and professional standards for educational and psychological testing, including test bias and fairness. In addition, learners study the role of technology in delivery, administration, scoring, and interpretation of tests.	5 quarter credits
PSY8340 *	Psychology and the Law This course emphasizes the fundamental theoretical, empirical, and ethical bases of forensic psychology and prepares learners for the advanced practical training covered in PSY8350 and PSY8360. Learners focus on developing forensic assessment methodology skills and study psychology’s role in the judicial system, the differences between clinical and forensic psychological practice, and parameters of ethical practice in forensic psychology. Other topics include basic functions of forensic practice in civil, criminal, juvenile, and family law contexts and basic principles of testimony. *Prerequisite(s): PSY6210.*	5 quarter credits
PSY8350 *	Techniques of Forensic Practice The primary focus of PSY8350 is on the methodology and mechanics for performing different forensic activities including training in methodology. The course also focuses on practical applications and skill-building in different forensic practice areas. The course presents forensic evaluation methodologies including competency to stand trial, insanity defense, child custody, fitness to parent, mitigating defenses, and recidivism. Evaluating malingering and understanding the guidelines for ethical practice are emphasized throughout the course. *Prerequisite(s): PSY8340.*	5 quarter credits
PSY8360 *	Current Issues and Trends in Forensic Practice Learners in this course analyze current forensic psychology issues and examine appropriate application of scientific methods to forensic situations. Topics include eye-witness identification, legal decision making, forensic assessment and reporting, criminal defenses, profiling, polygraphy, risk assessment, jury composition, scientific jury selection, and other selected topics of interest to both the psychology and legal fields. *Prerequisite(s): PSY6210, PSY8340, PSY8350.*	5 quarter credits

*Course has prerequisite(s). See catalog for details.

View all courses

The MS in Clinical Psychology, Forensic Psychology specialization gives you a theoretical and practical understanding of clinical psychology with special emphasis on forensic techniques, psychology and the law, ethical problems, and current trends in forensic psychology. The curriculum develops your ability to conduct forensic assessments and research in a diverse range of programs and populations, including incarcerated and recently released offenders. This program can also prepare you for doctoral study.

On successful completion of this program, you should be able to:

Analyze research related to clinical and forensic psychology
Apply ethical principles of clinical psychology in academic, research, and professional settings
Bring theory and research findings into the practice of forensic psychology
Communicate in scholarly writing, and various other technological mediums, using the professional standards of the discipline
Evaluate the importance of diversity through mastery of multicultural competencies in scholarly work, particularly as they relate to forensic populations

Review the Capella career exploration guide to learn more about this program and career paths to explore.

Your education can help you reach your professional and personal goals. While Capella cannot guarantee that a graduate will secure any specific career outcome, such as a job title, promotion, or salary increase, we encourage you to explore potential jobs and employment settings. Here are some ideas and examples for a graduate with an MS in clinical psychology, forensic psychology specialization.

Job titles to explore

Adjunct or part-time faculty of forensic psychology courses
Instructor
Forensic analyst
Forensic interviewer
Forensic researcher
Forensic assessment specialist
Forensic case worker
Forensic consultant

Employment settings to explore

Self-employed (contract with attorneys)
Community college
Land-based or online college or university
Government – local, state, federal
Department of corrections
Department of probation and parole courts

*These are examples intended to serve as a general guide. Some positions may prefer or even require previous experience, licensure, certifications, and/or other designations along with a degree. Because many factors determine what position an individual may attain, Capella cannot guarantee that a graduate will secure any specific job title, a promotion, salary increase, or other career outcome. We encourage you to research requirements for your job target and career goals.