New York is a diverse and vibrant state with small villages amongst rolling hills, the hustle and bustle of New York City, and many different settings in between. The same can be said of the forensic psychology degree programs available in the Empire State.
You can find forensic psychology programs at all levels, from bachelor’s to doctorate. Likewise, you can study at world-renowned universities like New York University or other popular colleges in New York that offer exceptional learning experience.
Forensic Psychology Graduate Programs in New York
The list below outlines some of the popular schools offering forensic psychology degree programs in New York:
- New York University (NYU)
- John Jay College of Criminal Justice
- Monroe College
- The College of Saint Rose
- Grand Canyon University
- Capella University
- Purdue Global
- The City University of New York
New York University (NYU)
Not only is New York University one of the top schools in the United States, but it’s also one of the best universities in the world. As such, your education at NYU prepares you for a competitive career, no matter your chosen major. And a career you’ll get – 95 percent of NYU’s 2021 graduating class had a job or was enrolled in graduate school within six months of graduating.
Aside from rigorous academic programs, NYU offers a diverse setting in which to learn. NYU has students from 138 countries and all 50 states. The school ranks first in the country for the number of international students on campus. As you progress through your program of study, you can do so while being exposed to many different cultures and belief systems from all over the globe.
Forensic Psychology Program Information
NYU’s Master of Arts in Psychology offers a specialization in forensic psychology that focuses on three areas of inquiry: forensic applications, legal applications, and clinical applications. As such, you will learn about forensic psychology tools, testing methods, and how to incorporate forensic psychology techniques in legal settings.
The 36-credit curriculum for this degree includes a wide range of forensic psychology coursework. For example, you might take courses in:
- Clinical Forensic Practice
- Forensic Assessment
- Psychology of Violence
- Traumatic Stress Reactions
- Psychology of Criminal Behavior and the Prison Systems
You can also focus your studies by taking elective courses in areas that interest you. For example, you can study personality theories, psychopathology, or the psychology of social behavior. Other electives cover topics on psychosis, affective disorders, and psychological assessment.
One of the benefits of studying forensic psychology at NYU is that you can take advantage of the school’s many departments, centers, and partnerships to explore forensics even further. Likewise, you can take interdisciplinary courses in criminology, computer science, social work, and other fields to round out your education.
You can apply to this program by submitting the following:
- Undergraduate transcripts
- Test scores, as required
- Required applicant statements
- Resume or curriculum vitae
- Letters of recommendation
- A $110 non-refundable application fee
John Jay College of Criminal Justice
John Jay College of Criminal Justice is part of the larger City University of New York (CUNY) system. Its focus on criminal justice-related majors makes it a prime choice for completing a degree in forensic psychology.
However, John Jay College offers many programs of study other than forensic psychology. In fact, you can choose from 35 undergraduate majors, 52 minors, 14 master’s programs, and two doctoral programs. There are even six combined Bachelor of Arts/Master of Arts programs that allow you to advance your education quickly!
Forensic Psychology Program Information
The Master of Arts in Forensic Psychology from the John Jay College of Criminal Justice requires that you complete 42 credits to graduate. This includes 39 credits of coursework and three credits that are devoted to a 300-hour externship experience or a thesis. You can also choose to complete both options.
Your coursework exposes you to many different aspects of the forensic psychology field. For example, you will take courses in psychopathology, psychological research, and counseling methods. You will also explore cognitive assessments, personality assessments, and the relationship between the brain and behavior.
This program gets really interesting when you examine the available elective courses. You can specialize your studies by choosing classes on:
- Social Science Evidence in Court
- Criminal Psychological Assessment
- Hypnosis, Psychology and the Law
- Crisis Intervention and Short-term Counseling
- Victimology
Since this program requires more credits than a typical master’s degree, you will likely need 2.5 to three years to finish the requirements.
To apply, you must first satisfy the following requirements:
- Possess a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
- Have a minimum 3.0 GPA for your undergraduate studies
- Have at least 24 credits of undergraduate studies in social sciences, 12 of which must be in psychology (including statistical methods and experimental psychology)
- Achieve a minimum GRE combined score of 297
Monroe College
Monroe College is a multi-campus institution where you can study in person, online, or in hybrid programs that combine online and on-campus studies. The college maintains a three-semester per year calendar, which allows you to complete your program of study faster. For example, a typical bachelor’s degree takes four years to finish, but at Monroe College, you can do so in just three years.
Monroe is a small school with around 8,000 students, so you benefit from small class sizes with an average student-to-teacher ratio of just 18:1. But the school is big on diversity – about 1,200 of its students are from countries outside the United States. With nearly 40 areas of study, you can pursue your passion while learning alongside a diverse group of students.
Forensic Psychology Program Information
Monroe College’s Master of Science in Forensic Psychology is offered in multiple formats, including online, on campus, and a mixture of the two. This gives you the flexibility to learn in ways that best fit your specific needs.
This program requires that you complete 42 credits to graduate. You will take courses in criminal justice and psychology, as well as courses in graduate research and ethics. Some of the core courses you will take include:
- Criminology Theory
- Counseling Psychology and Human Services
- Forensic Mental Health in the Courts
- Forensics: Psychology and Neurobehavioral 3 Assessment Tools
- The Psychopathology of Serial Offenders: Understanding Behavioral Analysis
Additionally, an integrated capstone seminar is required. A capstone project is a summative assessment that allows you to combine your learning throughout the program and apply it in a real-world inspired situation.
Upon graduating from this program, you will have the knowledge and skills to work in many different settings. This includes in the prison system, as a victim advocate, or as a jury consultant, to name a few.
You must complete the following tasks to apply to Monroe College as a graduate student:
- Submit an application, a 500-word essay, and a $50 application fee
- Request unofficial transcripts from all colleges and universities you’ve attended
- Submit a current resume and two letters of recommendation
- Schedule an interview with the dean of the graduate school (which can be done by phone, Skype, or in person)
GRE scores are not required, although you may take the GRE and submit your scores if you like.
The College of Saint Rose
The College of Saint Rose was founded more than 100 years ago by the Sisters of Saint Joseph of Carondelet. Today, the college is a private, co-ed institution on a small campus in Albany, the capital of New York. There, you can take courses in one of four academic colleges:
- The School of Arts & Humanities
- Huether School of Business
- Thelma P. Lally School of Education
- The School of Mathematics & Sciences
Saint Rose is a small college with a student-to-faculty ratio of 15:1. Furthermore, 99 percent of classes at Saint Rose have fewer than 30 students. Not only will you enjoy personal attention from your professors, but you’ll also learn from professors at the top of their field – 93 percent of instructors have a Ph.D. or the highest degree available in their field.
Forensic Psychology Program Information
The College of Saint Rose offers you a unique opportunity – you can major in forensic psychology at the undergraduate level. Most colleges and universities offer general psychology majors for undergraduates, but this program focuses your studies on forensics and prepares you for future academic work in a master’s program.
As part of your studies, you will complete coursework in the following:
- Social Psychology
- Biopsychology and Lab
- Abnormal Psychology
- Psychometrics
- Criminal Behavior
Additionally, you can choose among four concentration areas to focus your studies even further. These include: Clinical, Legal, Law Enforcement, and Social/Cognitive/Developmental.
Research is a central component of this four-year program as well. You will have opportunities to conduct original undergraduate research that you can present at the Eastern Psychological Association professional conferences. Moreover, you will have the chance to work on cold cases at Saint Rose’s Cold Case Analysis Center – one of only six in the United States.
To apply as a first-year student, you must submit the following:
- An application for admission
- Official high school transcripts
- Official transcripts from any colleges or universities you have attended
- A letter of recommendation from a high school teacher or counselor
You must also submit ACT or SAT scores, or a completed essay or an admissions interview.
Work Opportunities For Forensic Psychologists in New York
Forensic psychology might be a highly specialized field, but as it has grown in popularity as a college major, its applications in the real world have also grown. In populous states like New York, this means there are likely more opportunities to find employment in forensic psychology than in sparsely populated states.
For example, if you want an entry-level job in forensic psychology, you might find employment with a New York agency, like the state crime lab or the New York State Police, conducting research or supporting detectives in their investigations.
Conversely, if you have a master’s degree, you might work as a jury consultant, police counselor, or victim advocate. These positions typically require a higher level of education but don’t necessarily require licensure as a psychologist. Furthermore, these positions are often in high need, especially in large jurisdictions like New York City.
As a Ph.D.-level forensic psychologist, you will have even more work opportunities available to you. By completing your doctorate, you will have the required education to apply for licensure in New York State. With a license, you can practice clinical forensic psychology, testify as an expert witness, and work as a forensic psychology consultant, to name a few.
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