Top Online Criminal Psychology Schools for Every Degree Level

Search for a "criminal psychology" degree and you hit a wall: almost no online bachelor's or master's degree in psychology actually carries that title, and none of them leads directly to licensure as a psychologist. Most programs carry labels like Forensic Psychology Degrees, criminal behavior, or criminology, and they cover overlapping ground at tuition that ranges from roughly $12,000 to nearly $70,000 total.

That gap between the name students search for and the credential schools issue is the real decision here. Picking the wrong level, or assuming a bachelor's puts you on a clinical track, costs years.

Every program ranked here is fully online, with cost and outcome figures drawn from College Scorecard. Licensure as a practicing psychologist still requires a doctorate, regardless of what the bachelor's diploma says.

Best Fully Online Criminal Psychology Programs for 2027

Every program on this list is delivered 100 percent online. Hybrid options and programs that require an in-person residency were excluded and do not appear here. The order reflects a blended quality composite rather than any single measure, so it is not a cost ranking or an earnings ranking.

AR

Arizona State University#1

Tempe, AZ · $15,000/yr

Hispanic-Serving Institution

★Best for: Research-minded students who want quantitative training

Arizona State University pairs a large, research-active psychology department with an online forensic psychology concentration that blends standard psychology training with criminal law, criminal behavior, and legal decision-making. The curriculum leans heavily on quantitative research and statistics, and graduates move toward behavioral health, counseling, detective work, and clinical psychology roles. An accelerated master's in forensic psychology exists at the university, though that accelerated route is not currently open to ASU Online students, and eligible western-state residents may qualify for a reduced nonresident tuition rate.

• Bachelor of Science in Psychology with a Concentration in Forensic PsychologyOnline→

Bachelor of Science in Psychology with a Concentration in Forensic Psychology — Online

Arizona State University

• Concentration in forensic psychology inside the BS in Psychology
• Coursework in criminal law, criminal behavior, and legal decision-making
• Strong emphasis on quantitative research and statistical analysis
• Prepares students for behavioral health specialist and counselor roles
• Western Undergraduate Exchange eligibility for qualifying western states
• Multiple enrollment sessions each year

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MA

Maryville University#2

Saint Louis, MO · ~$22,000/yr (est.)

★Best for: Working adults who need a flexible bachelor's

Maryville University's online forensic psychology bachelor's is built for working adults, blending psychology, criminal justice, and social science with a 135-hour internship in settings such as probation offices and mental health clinics. A senior capstone research project and a curriculum aligned with American Psychological Association standards give the degree academic weight. The Early Access option lets students earn up to 12 graduate-level credits at undergraduate tuition rates, and there is no application fee or SAT requirement.

• Bachelor of Arts in Forensic PsychologyOnline→

Bachelor of Arts in Forensic Psychology — Online

Maryville University

• 120 credit hours; completable in as few as two years
• 135-hour internship in settings such as probation or mental health clinics
• Senior capstone research project required
• Fall, spring, and summer start dates
• Early Access: up to 12 graduate credits at undergraduate tuition
• Curriculum aligns with American Psychological Association standards
• $0 application fee and no SAT requirement
• Designed for working adults, with 100% online coursework

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TO

Touro University Worldwide#3

Los Alamitos, CA · $19,000/yr

★Best for: Transfer students bringing prior college credits

Touro University Worldwide offers a self-paced, fully online psychology degree with a forensic concentration aimed at students who want flexibility and credit for prior coursework. Courses cover insanity defenses, eyewitness testimony, police interrogation, lie detection, offender rehabilitation, competency to stand trial, and mental health courts. The program runs in 8-week sessions with six start dates a year, accepts up to 90 transfer credits, and keeps class sizes small. The bachelor's alone does not lead to forensic psychology practice, which requires graduate study.

• Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a Concentration in Forensic PsychologyOnline→

Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a Concentration in Forensic Psychology — Online

Touro University Worldwide

• 100% online and self-paced, with no residency required
• Six start dates per year in 8-week sessions
• Accepts up to 90 transfer credits
• Topics include insanity, eyewitness testimony, and police interrogation
• Also covers competency to stand trial, mental health courts, and substance abuse
• Limited class sizes with professors who have real-world experience
• Becoming a forensic psychologist requires graduate study beyond this degree

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LO

Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College#4

Baton Rouge, LA · $15,000 – $20,000/yr

Louisiana State University's online psychology bachelor's adds a forensic concentration that integrates psychology with legal concepts and forensic science. Students study human behavior, psychological disorders, and forensic science as preparation for criminal investigator, forensic interviewer, judicial assistant, and victim advocacy work. The degree also sets up graduate study in forensic psychology and can feed into police academy or behavioral health programs. Coursework comes from LSU faculty in a fully online format.

• Bachelor of Science in Psychology with a Concentration in Forensic PsychologyOnline→

Bachelor of Science in Psychology with a Concentration in Forensic Psychology — Online

Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College

• 100% online BS in Psychology with a forensic concentration
• Integrates psychology with legal concepts and forensic science
• Prepares students for criminal investigator and forensic interviewer roles
• Also relevant to judicial assistant and victim advocacy positions
• Builds a foundation for a master's in forensic psychology
• Can lead into police academy or behavioral health programs

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BA

Bay Path University#5

Longmeadow, MA · $14,000/yr (net price)

Hispanic-Serving InstitutionWomen's college

Bay Path University's online psychology degree carries a forensic concentration that applies psychological expertise to the legal system, covering criminal behavior, mental illness, gender issues, victim psychology, and rehabilitation. The 120-credit program runs in accelerated 7-week courses, is fully asynchronous, and accepts up to 90 transfer credits. Students build skills in crisis intervention, counseling, and ethical decision-making, with one-on-one instruction from faculty. Graduates move into mental health, corrections, victim advocacy, and legal support roles, or continue to graduate study.

• Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a Forensic Psychology ConcentrationOnline→

Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a Forensic Psychology Concentration — Online

Bay Path University

• 120-credit BA in Psychology with a forensic psychology concentration
• Asynchronous online classes in accelerated 7-week courses
• Accepts up to 90 transfer credits
• Covers criminal behavior, victim psychology, and offender rehabilitation
• Builds skills in crisis intervention, counseling, and ethical decision-making
• One-on-one instruction from expert faculty
• Aligned with American Psychological Association guidelines
• Prepares graduates to support incarcerated families and community re-entry

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FL

Florida Institute of Technology#6

Florida Institute of Technology's online applied psychology degree includes a forensic psychology track for students who want to apply psychological insight inside the legal system. Coursework covers criminal behavior, forensic assessment, victim advocacy, investigative techniques, eyewitness testimony, offender profiling, and the impact of trauma. The program runs in 8-week terms with multiple start dates, full-time and part-time options, and up to 90 transfer credits. Career paths named by the university include counselor, applied behavioral science specialist, case manager, and criminologist.

• Bachelor of Arts in Applied Psychology - Forensic PsychologyOnline→

Bachelor of Arts in Applied Psychology - Forensic Psychology — Online

Florida Institute of Technology

• Forensic psychology track within a BA in Applied Psychology
• 121 total credit hours; published total program tuition about $69,323
• 8-week course terms with multiple start dates
• Full-time and part-time enrollment options
• Up to 90 transfer credits accepted
• Minimum 2.5 GPA; no application fee
• Coursework in criminal behavior, forensic assessment, and victim advocacy
• Explores eyewitness testimony, offender profiling, and trauma impact

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SO

Southern New Hampshire University#7

Manchester, NH · $37,000/yr (net price)

Southern New Hampshire University's online psychology bachelor's includes a forensic psychology concentration that pairs psychological theory with criminal justice applications. Over 120 credits, students take courses such as Criminal Minds and Assessment and Testing, with an optional psychology internship, and faculty include instructors who have worked in the U.S. Bureau of Prisons. The concentration prepares graduates for roles such as crime analyst, victim advocate, and jury consultant, and for graduate study in forensic psychology. Two separate listings exist for this concentration, and both describe the same online program.

• Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a Concentration in Forensic PsychologyOnline→

Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a Concentration in Forensic Psychology — Online

Southern New Hampshire University

No entrance examMilitary benefitsTest optionalEmployer tuition reimbursement

• 120 credit hours, 40 courses; $354 per credit
• Published total program tuition of about $42,480
• 8-week terms; transfer up to 90 credits
• No application fee, no entrance exam, and test-optional admission
• Courses include Criminal Minds and Assessment and Testing
• Optional psychology internship
• Faculty include instructors with U.S. Bureau of Prisons experience
• Military benefits and employer tuition reimbursement accepted
• Next online term begins October 26, 2026

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How We Ranked These Online Criminal Psychology Schools

Our rankings draw on the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, using both the institution-level and program-level files. We used the most recent snapshot available when we built this list, so the figures reflect that release rather than live school data.

What We Included

Only fully online programs made the cut, and only those in criminal psychology, forensic psychology, or closely aligned fields. Hybrid programs were excluded, because required campus visits change the real cost and schedule for working students.

What Went Into the Comparison

We weighed four factors together:

• Affordability: the average net price students pay after grant aid.
• Completion: the school's graduation rate.
• Program outcomes: earnings and debt for graduates of the specific program, where published.
• Online delivery: whether the program can be completed entirely at a distance.

Limits You Should Know About

• Graduation rates and net price are school-wide figures, not numbers for the criminal psychology program alone.
• Some programs have no published Scorecard earnings, so they are judged on the remaining factors.
• The rankings do not measure faculty quality or practicum placement support. Ask admissions teams about both before you apply.

Many competitor lists never explain how schools were chosen. We would rather show our criteria and their gaps, so you can decide how much weight the order deserves for your own situation.

Criminal Psychology Vs. Forensic Psychology: Which Degree Do You Actually Need?

The American Psychological Association has recognized forensic psychology as a professional specialty since 2001,¹ recertifying it in 2008² and extending that recognition through 2030.³ That official status matters, because it tells you which term the licensing and graduate-education world actually uses for forensic psychologist requirements.

What Forensic Psychology Covers

Forensic psychology, as defined by the APA and its Division 41 (the American Psychology-Law Society),⁴ is the application of psychological expertise to legal and criminal justice systems. The specialty guidelines take a deliberately broad view: any psychologist applying scientific or specialized knowledge to a legal matter is practicing forensically, whether the case is criminal or civil.⁵ The work spans assessment and treatment, expert testimony, trial consulting, policy analysis, and research on topics like eyewitness memory, interrogations, and offender behavior.

Where Criminal Psychology Fits

The difference between forensic and criminal psychologist often comes down to focus: "criminal psychology" is a popular, informal label for a subset of that work, the part focused on offender behavior, risk, and motivation.² It leans toward accused and convicted individuals, victims, investigations, and rehabilitation. Very few accredited graduate programs carry the exact title "criminal psychology," which is why searching for it alone will hide most of your real options.

Criminology is a different animal entirely. It is the social science of crime as a societal phenomenon, drawing on sociology, economics, and statistics to study causes, patterns, and prevention. A criminologist is not necessarily a psychologist or a court expert.²

Picking the Right Major

If graduate psychology admission is your goal, favor psychology degree programs (a BA or BS in Psychology with a forensic or criminal concentration) over a criminal justice degree with a psychology minor. The first builds the research methods, statistics, and core psychology coursework that graduate programs expect.

Rule of thumb: search for "forensic psychology" or "psychology with a forensic concentration," not only "criminal psychology." That search returns far more accredited, licensure-aligned programs.

Criminal Psychology Degree Levels: Certificates, Bachelor's, and Master's Programs

Very few schools offer a credential actually titled "criminal psychology," so most students end up choosing among forensic psychology, criminal behavior, and criminology programs that cover much of the same ground. The level you pick matters more than the label.

Graduate Certificates

Online graduate certificates in this area typically run 12 to 18 credits and take a year or less. They are post-baccalaureate and generally do not lead to licensure on their own. Current examples include:

• University of Cincinnati: Online Graduate Certificate in Analysis of Criminal Behavior, 12 credits, fully online, about 12 months.
• Rosemont College: Online Graduate Certificate in Forensic Psychology, 15 credits, roughly 9 months, with Middle States accreditation.
• Concordia University of Saint Paul: Online Certificate in Forensic Mental Health, 15 credits.
• Grand Canyon University: Graduate Certificate in Forensic Psychology, 16 credits.

The University of North Dakota offers a shorter 9-credit option, online or on campus. Our forensic psychology graduate certificate guide covers this format in more depth.

Who it fits: working professionals in law enforcement, corrections, or counseling who want forensic knowledge without a full degree.

Bachelor's Degrees

Online forensic psychology bachelor's programs total about 120 to 124 credits and usually take four years full time. Expect a blend of psychology and criminal justice coursework: abnormal psychology, psychology and law, research methods, and statistics, with the remainder in general education and electives. This degree opens entry-level human services and justice-system roles, and it is the foundation for graduate study.

Who it fits: new students or career changers building a base for case management, victim services, probation support, or a later master's.

Master's Programs

Forensic psychology master's programs commonly run 30 to 42 credits and take roughly 18 months to two years. Arizona State's online Master of Science in Forensic Psychology is 33 credits. Liberty University's 100% online M.S. in Criminal Justice with a forensic psychology concentration is 36.

The key distinction is licensure. A non-licensure MS or MA in forensic psychology builds expertise in assessment concepts, legal systems, and research, but it does not by itself qualify you to practice as a counselor. A master's in clinical mental health counseling is a different track. It generally runs longer, includes supervised practicum and internship hours, and leads toward the LPC after post-degree supervised experience. Requirements vary by state, so check your state board before enrolling.

Who it fits: the non-licensure master's suits analysts, researchers, and justice-system staff who want advanced knowledge, while the counseling master's suits anyone who wants to provide therapy or work clinically with offender populations.

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Lowest-Cost Fully Online Criminal Psychology Programs: Price, Debt, and Earnings

These three fully online programs from our ranking have the lowest average net price, which is what students pay on average after grants and scholarships per 2024 IPEDS and College Scorecard data. It is not a quote for any individual student. Public Arizona State has the lowest in-state tuition, and private Bay Path's high sticker price drops to the lowest net price once aid is applied. Program-level debt and early-career earnings are not yet published for these majors, so a loan-payment-versus-salary comparison is not possible yet, and price is the clearest way to compare them for now.

Admission Requirements and Prerequisites

No single admissions standard applies to online criminal or forensic psychology programs. Requirements shift by school, degree level, and applicant status, so treat the figures below as examples and confirm current policies with each program.

1. Bachelor's: diploma and GPA

   Expect to need a high school diploma or equivalent. Minimum GPAs vary: Carlow University lists 2.0, Florida Institute of Technology lists 2.5, and LSU Online lists 3.0 with a test-optional policy. Psychology and statistics courses are usually degree requirements you complete after admission, not prerequisites.
2. Bachelor's: transfer credit

   Many online programs, including Florida Tech, Carlow, SNHU, and Bay Path, accept up to 90 transfer credits. A transcript evaluation decides which credits actually apply.
3. Master's: degree and GPA

   You'll need a bachelor's from an accredited institution. Listed minimums run from about 2.3 (Capella) to 3.0 (Liberty, ASU). ASU looks at your last 60 hours, may consider applicants below 3.0 who have strong related coursework, and accepts psychology, criminal justice, social science, or related degrees. Grand Canyon lists 2.8, or 2.5 paired with qualifying GMAT or GRE scores.
4. Master's: prerequisite courses

   Statistics or research methods is nearly universal, abnormal psychology is common, and introductory psychology is often expected if your bachelor's is outside psychology. For 2026-2027, the University of Denver requires four psychology courses at B or better, or a qualifying Psychology Subject GRE score.
5. GRE policies

   Many online master's programs, including Capella, Touro, and Walden, don't require the GRE.
6. Supporting documents

   Programs commonly request a personal statement, letters of recommendation, and a résumé. Some, such as Walden, don't require an essay, so check each application.

From Bachelor's Degree to Licensed Criminal Psychologist

Most people who practice as criminal or forensic psychologists spend roughly 10-14 years in training after high school, and the doctorate takes the largest share of that time. The ranges below are typical, not fixed. Licensure rules vary by state, so confirm current requirements with your state psychology board before you plan your timeline.

The degree title on your diploma matters far less than the doctorate behind it, because only a doctoral degree and state licensure allow you to practice as a psychologist.

counselingpsychology.org

Questions to Ask Yourself

Criminal Psychology Programs: Frequently Asked Questions

These are the questions students ask most often when comparing criminal psychology programs. Each answer gives you the short version and points you to the section above that covers it in depth.

Can you become a criminal psychologist with a bachelor's degree?

No. Working as a criminal psychologist generally requires a doctoral degree (PhD or PsyD), supervised training, and state licensure. A bachelor's degree can open entry-level or support roles in corrections, probation, victim services, or research, but not independent assessment, treatment, or expert-witness work. See our degree levels section for what each credential realistically prepares you to do.

Are online criminal psychology programs accredited?

Many online forensic psychology degree programs are institutionally accredited, but being online does not guarantee accreditation, so verify it yourself. If you plan to pursue licensure, look for doctoral programs accredited by the American Psychological Association Commission on Accreditation. Online bachelor's and master's programs can be academically useful, but they are not equivalent to an APA-accredited doctorate. Our ranking methodology explains how we screened for accreditation.

Can a criminal justice degree get you into a forensic psychology PhD or PsyD program?

Often yes, though not at every program. Arizona State University's Law and Psychology PhD accepts criminal justice and related degrees with a 3.00 minimum GPA. The Chicago School's PsyD in Clinical Forensic Psychology, by contrast, expects 15 semester hours of psychology coursework, including Abnormal Psychology and Statistics. Check our admission requirements section before you apply.

How long does it take to become a criminal psychologist after high school?

Plan on roughly 10 to 15 years for becoming a psychologist in this field. That typically includes a four-year bachelor's degree, a doctorate lasting four to seven years, and at least one year of predoctoral internship, plus any postdoctoral hours and exams your state requires. Earning a master's first can extend the timeline to 12 to 15 years or more. Our bachelor's-to-licensure roadmap breaks down each stage.