- Forensic psychology
June 15, 2022 | best value
An Overview of Forensic Psychology

Forensic psychology is a relatively young discipline that only became a recognized professional field in the mid-20th century. Forensic psychology combines the study of law, criminology, and psychology. The goal of forensic psychology is to understand the criminal mindset. This gives professionals insight into why criminals commit crimes, which can help predict and prevent future crimes.
Admission requirements for doctoral programs in forensic psychology
The requirements for a PhD in forensic psychology programs are quite high. To be admitted, students must have at least a bachelor's degree in psychology with a high GPA. The minimum GPA for admission to a doctoral program in forensic psychology is 3.5, although this can vary. Students may also be required to submit standardized test scores for tests like the GRE. Mostcriminal psychology collegesthey also require letters of recommendation from psychology professors. Some students complete aMaster's Degree in Forensic Psychologybefore applying to doctoral programs, but this is not required.
rang | School | Location |
---|---|---|
1 | University of Wyoming | Laramie, Wyoming |
2 | John Jay College of Criminal Justice | New York City, New York |
3 | university of nevada | reno, nevada |
4 | university of nebraska | Lincoln, Nebraska |
5 | Florida International University | Miami, Florida |
What Graduates With a Ph.D. in Forensic Psychology Can Do
Graduates of forensic psychology doctoral programs can pursue a variety of careers. Many work in federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies. Some set up their own consultancies to work with public and private organizations. Many forensic psychology graduates will go on to do research or teach at the university level (or a combination of both).
The Best Doctoral Programs in Forensic Psychology
1
University of Wyoming
- Laramie, Wyoming
- Graduation rate:54%
The University of Wyoming ranks first on our list of the best doctoral programs in forensic psychology. Like many of the programs on this list, the Wyoming program is actually a Ph.D. in psychology and law. However, this program (and programs like it) will certainly help prepare students for a career in forensic psychology.
school overview
Annual enrollment:$5,581 national / $18,151 non-resident
Student/teacher ratio:15:1
2
John Jay College of Criminal Justice
- New York City, New York
- Graduation rate:43%
The John Jay College of Criminal Justice is a member of the City University of New York system. It offers a psychology and law program that can be completed in five years. Students must complete a dissertation and two research internships.
school overview
Annual enrollment:$7,470 national / $15,420 non-resident
Student/teacher ratio:18:1
3
university of nevada
- reno, nevada
- Graduation rate:53%
The University of Nevada has long been recognized as a leader in the field of forensic psychology. It offers a unique PhD. with a focus on law/justice. The structure of this program ensures that students receive a comprehensive psychological education while continuing to focus on forensic psychology.
school overview
Annual enrollment:$8,034 national / $23,086 non-resident
Student/teacher ratio:18:1
4
university of nebraska
- Lincoln, Nebraska
- Graduation rate:67%
The University of Nebraska is another widely recognized leader in the field of forensic psychology. The UN offers a challenging Ph.D. in dual psychology. and the J.D. Students have the opportunity to gain hands-on experience with law enforcement agencies. Students are required to complete original research in the fields of psychology and law.
school overview
Annual enrollment:$9,522 national / $25,828 non-resident
Student/teacher ratio:17:1
5
Florida International University
- Miami, Florida
- Graduation rate:72%
Florida International University offers the leading doctoral program in forensic psychology in the state. The title is a Ph.D. in Forensic Psychology. Students can work in various research laboratories on campus during the program period. This is a great program for those aspiring to a teaching career, as all students gain teaching experience. Accepted PhD students generally receive a tuition waiver for at least 4 years. The program does not provide clinical training.
school overview
Annual enrollment:$6,565 national / $18,963 non-resident
Student/teacher ratio:3:1
6
Carlos Albizu University
- San Juan Porto Rico
- Graduation rate:87%
Carlos Albizu University is a small, lesser-known institution that still has a world-class forensic psychology program. This school offers a Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology with an emphasis in Forensic Psychology. The program focuses on preparing students to work with underserved populations, especially the Hispanic population.
school overview
Annual enrollment:12.444 $
Student/teacher ratio:15:1
7
Sam Houston State University
- Huntsville, Texas
- Graduation rate:67%
Sam Houston State University offers the leading forensic psychology program in Texas. The school offers a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology with a mention in Forensic Psychology. Students must complete a 12-month internship, which can be completed with a law enforcement agency. Students can also work in the Psychological Center on campus.
school overview
Annual enrollment:$8,536 national / $18,664 non-resident
Student/teacher ratio:23:1
8
university of alabama
- Tuscaloosa, Alabama
- Graduation rate:68%
The University of Alabama has the best forensic psychology program in the South. Its PhD in Clinical Psychology with a concentration in Psychology and Law is one of the oldest and most prestigious programs of its kind. Students can benefit from dedicated faculty supervision throughout the program. You will also have the opportunity to gain hands-on experience with local law enforcement agencies.
school overview
Annual enrollment:$10,780 national / $30,250 non-resident
Student/teacher ratio:20:1
9
Montclair State University
- Montclair, Nueva Jersey
- Graduation rate:Sixty-five%
Montclair State University in New Jersey offers a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology with an emphasis in Forensic Psychology. Students have ample opportunities to teach undergraduates and conduct faculty research. They must also complete a 12-month internship before graduation.
school overview
Annual enrollment:$13,073 national / $21,033 non-resident
Student/teacher ratio:17:1
10
university of arizona
- tempe, arizona
- Graduation rate:67%
Arizona State University has an innovative doctoral program in Law and Psychology. This program aims to prepare students for a career as a university researcher and professor. Students can complete this program in as little as four years if they already have a related master's degree. If not, they can get one throughout the program.
school overview
Annual enrollment:$11,338 national / $29,428 non-resident
Student/teacher ratio:20:1
11
University of Texas-El Paso
- El Passo, Texas
- Graduation rate:37%
The University of Texas - El Paso, often known as UTEP, offers a Ph.D. high level. in forensic psychology. UTEP offers three different forensic psychology labs on campus. This gives students an unprecedented opportunity to collect data from their own projects.
school overview
Annual enrollment:$9,161 national / $24,524 non-resident
Student/teacher ratio:25:1
12
William-James-College
- Boston, Massachusetts
William James College is one of several institutions on this list that focuses exclusively on psychology. William James offers a Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology with an emphasis in Forensic Psychology. This program meets the requirements for students to become licensed psychologists in Massachusetts. Students have the opportunity to gain practical experience in forensic psychology.
We can help prospective Forensic Psychology PhD students find the right program for their needs.
school overview
Annual enrollment:33.960 $
Student/teacher ratio:7:1
13
University of California, Irvine
- Irvine, California
- Graduation rate:87%
The University of California - Irvine beats out strong competition in our rankings to be the best school in California. His groundbreaking Ph.D. in Psychology and Social Behavior. The program offers a concentration in psychology and law. This program guarantees students a place as a research associate or teaching assistant for their first five years of study, which means they receive full tuition waivers and a scholarship.
school overview
Annual enrollment:$13,727 national / $43,481 non-resident
Student/teacher ratio:18:1
14
spalding university
- Louisville, Kentucky
- Graduation rate:51%
Spalding University offers a Psy.D. in clinical psychology with a focus in forensic/corrective psychology. This is one of the oldest programs in this field. Students are guaranteed the opportunity to complete an internship at a forensic or correctional facility. Spalding also offers a master's degree that can count toward credits needed for a Ph.D.
school overview
Annual enrollment:25.200 $
Student/teacher ratio:15:1
15
Palo Alto University
- Palo Alto, Calif
Palo Alto University is one of the few private universities in California that offers a Ph.D. in Forensic Psychology. Degree. Like many of the programs featured in this article, the degree is technically a Ph.D. in clinical psychology. with an emphasis in Forensic Psychology. Graduates of this program become certified as forensic psychologists, a capacity few similar programs offer.
school overview
Annual enrollment:22.755 $
Student/teacher ratio:17:1
sixteen
Chicago School of Professional Psychology
- Chicago, Illinois
The Chicago School of Professional Psychology is another institution that focuses exclusively on psychological studies. He has a Ph.D. in clinical forensic psychology. programs at its locations in Los Angeles and Irvine, California. Students have the opportunity to practice with law enforcement agencies. Graduates are eligible to be licensed as clinical psychologists in California.
school overview
Annual enrollment:21.564 $
Student/teacher ratio:18:1
17
Pacific university
- Waldhain, Oregon
- Graduation rate:58%
Pacific University is the only institution in Oregon that offers a Ph.D. in Forensic Psychology. Pacific has a Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology with an emphasis in Forensic Psychology. Students must complete two internships to graduate, ensuring they get plenty of hands-on experience.
school overview
Annual enrollment:46.402 $
Student/teacher ratio:10:1
18
Universidad Fairleigh Dickinson
- Teaneck, New Jersey
- Graduation rate:39%
Fairleigh Dickinson University is the second New Jersey institution on our list. It offers a Ph.D. Specialty in forensic psychology. Students must complete a clinical internship and an original research dissertation in the field of forensic psychology in order to graduate.
school overview
Annual enrollment:42.220 $
Student/teacher ratio:12:1
19
Cornell University
- Ithaca, New York
- Graduation rate:94%
Cornell University is the only Ivy League institution on our list. His dual Ph.D./J.D. The program in Psychology and Law is very challenging, but phenomenally rewarding. Students must complete a master's thesis and a doctoral dissertation to complete this program.
school overview
Annual enrollment:57.222 $
Student/teacher ratio:9:1
20
Nova Southeastern University
- Fort Lauderdale, Florida
- Graduation rate:62%
Nova Southeastern University is another Florida institution that makes our list. It offers a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology with a mention in Forensic Clinical Psychology. Students in this program have the unique opportunity to work alongside their PhD. to obtain an MBA in Forensic Psychology.
school overview
Annual enrollment:32.110 $
Student/teacher ratio:17:1
21
university of denver
- Denver, Colorado
- Graduation rate:79%
The University of Denver is one of the most prestigious private universities in the American West. They offer a Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology and Master in Forensic Psychology. Students in the doctoral program can take special courses in forensic psychology.
school overview
Annual enrollment:52.515 $
Student/teacher ratio:11:1
22
Florida Institute of Technology
- melbourne, florida
- Graduation rate:57%
The Florida Institute of Technology offers a Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology with an emphasis in Forensic Psychology. Students have the opportunity to conduct research and gain practical experience in this field. The FIT program also provides students with a well-rounded education in other areas of clinical psychology.
school overview
Annual enrollment:42.470 $
Student/teacher ratio:14:1
23
Drexel University
- Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Graduation rate:70%
Drexel University might not be the most well-known school on this list, but it does offer an elite Ph.D. in forensic psychology. The exact degree offered is a Ph.D. in clinical psychology. with an emphasis in Forensic Psychology. Students have the opportunity to gain practical experience and write their thesis in this area.
school overview
Annual enrollment:54.516 $
Student/teacher ratio:11:1
24
wider university
- Chester, Pensilvania
- Graduation rate:56%
Widener University offers a Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology with an emphasis in Forensic Psychology. Students must have at least 12 months of relevant work experience to be accepted into this concentration. You have the opportunity to complete a paid internship in this field.
school overview
Annual enrollment:47.328 $
Student/teacher ratio:13:1
25
Fordham University
- New York City, New York
- Graduation rate:79%
Fordham University has one of the best forensic psychology programs in New York. It offers a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology with an emphasis in Forensic Psychology. Students must complete a one-year internship and successfully submit a dissertation to graduate school.
school overview
Annual enrollment:54.393 $
Student/teacher ratio:13:1
How we create these classifications
In creating this ranking, we considered two factors, namely annual enrollment and student-teacher ratio. For schools that charge different fees for local and non-resident students, only local fees were counted. To get each school's rank, we multiply the school's annual enrollment by the number of students per faculty member. For example, if School A has an annual tuition of $10,000 and a student-teacher ratio of 10:1, then its score would be 100,000 (10,000 x 10). Lower grades lead to better grades.
Representatives of the institutions mentioned in this article may contact us with questions or corrections.
If you are looking for the best school for a PhD in forensic psychology, we can help you find it based on your criteria.
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