Accredited Forensic Psychology Programs and Schools in Georgia [2026 Guide]

Among the different subfields of psychology, forensic psychology is perhaps one of the most interesting, which is a major reason on why many people in Georgia are expressing their interests in pursuing such. You can find options at major universities and training sites across the state, with coursework that blends clinical foundations, ethics, and criminal law. Many programs include practicum experiences in courts, hospitals, community agencies, or correctional facilities.

You can use this guide – which features some of the popular schools offering forensic psychology degrees in Georgia – to help narrow your focus and find the school that’s the best fit for your needs.

Best Forensic Psychology Programs in Georgia

Listed below are some of the popular schools offering forensic psychology programs in Georgia:

• University of North Georgia
• Grand Canyon University
• The Chicago School
• Walden University
• Liberty University
• Augusta University
• Purdue Global

To find out how we select colleges and universities, please click here.

University of North Georgia

B.S. in Criminal Justice with Forensics Concentration

The University of North Georgia offers a 120-credit Criminal Justice major with a Forensics concentration that prepares you for many roles in crime scene investigation. The forensics courses focus on strengthening attention to detail, building critical thinking, improving problem-solving ability, and supporting clear communication in both writing and speaking. You will also use what you learn during a required internship experience.

The Criminal Justice Department stands out because many faculty members have worked as practitioners. The Criminal Justice major with the Forensics concentration includes important features that set it apart from other colleges and universities. Faculty members can share practical examples drawn from real work settings beyond standard course materials.

• First Year – You begin with introductory courses that establish your base in Criminal Justice.
• Sophomore Year – You continue strengthening that base through coursework in criminology, rules of evidence, and criminal investigation.
• Junior Year – You take part in hands-on training in crime scene investigation and evidence collection.
• Senior Year – You put your learning into practice by completing a required internship with a Criminal Justice agency.

Before you can start your internship and register for the internship course, you must meet four requirements:

• You must complete all of Area F in your Criminal Justice Plan of Study.
• You must take and complete CRJU 3601 or CRJU 3002.
• You must complete at least 18 credit hours of CRJU courses.
• You must have a GPA of 2.0 or higher overall and a GPA of 2.0 or higher within the CRJU major.

Required major courses include:

• Research Methods and Statistical Analysis in Criminal Justice: This entry-level course introduces research methods and statistical analysis. It is designed to introduce students to research design, data collection, the process of defining and measuring key concepts, and statistical analysis used for criminal justice research. Students work with basic descriptive and inferential statistics, bivariate analysis, and selected multivariate analysis methods. They build skills for creating research-based criminal justice projects, completing computer-based data analysis, and preparing a presentation of results.
• Criminal Procedures: This course centers on the fourth, fifth, sixth, and 14th amendments to the U.S. Constitution. It places strong focus on police searches and seizures under the 4th amendment. Students read U.S. Supreme Court opinions and discuss how these decisions affect the balance between personal privacy and public interests.
• Juvenile Justice: This course provides an overview of the juvenile justice system in the United States. It reviews causes, system processes, and rehabilitation programs in juvenile justice using both historical and practical views. It also emphasizes ethical and legal issues linked to how juvenile offenders are processed.
• Corrections: This course introduces the philosophy, procedures, challenges, and key topics in corrections, including both historical context and present-day conditions in the United States.
• Criminology: This course reviews criminology theories and how those theories influence policy from the late 18th century to today. The course emphasizes social and social-psychological explanations of crime, including differential association, anomie, labeling, and social control.
• Criminal Investigations: This course focuses on investigation methods and covers investigation theory as used at crime scenes. Topics include collecting and preserving evidence, working with informants, surveillance methods, and preparing and presenting cases in court.
• Criminal Forensics I: This course introduces challenges and methods used in scientific investigation within criminal matters. It focuses on helping students understand how science and technology support modern law enforcement.
• Criminal Forensics II: This course covers proven field methods and procedures, and technical information tied to crime scene investigation. It gives special attention to forensic laboratory fields and the professionals who work in them. The course also emphasizes the first responding officer and the investigator’s duties, as well as different types of crime scenes.
• Criminal Typologies: This course focuses  on offender traits and behavior patterns among people who commit interpersonal violence and or sexual assault. It emphasizes offender beliefs tied to motivation and explains how those beliefs affect how victims are chosen and how attacks are carried out. The main focus of course research and discussion includes sexual homicide, mass murder, workplace violence, serial rape, child molestation, armed robbery, and related offenses.

At the end of this program, you should have a strong base of crime scene principles and practical skills. These principles can be used not only in crime scene investigation, but also in other parts of the criminal justice system.

To apply for admission, submit your application online through GAFutures. Both Georgia residents and out-of-state residents must create a GAFutures account to apply. If you cannot apply online, you may download a paper application. All applicants, whether applying online or by paper, must pay a non-refundable application fee.

You should submit your official transcripts through your GAFutures application or request an official transcript from your counselor. Your SAT or ACT scores must be sent to UNG by the College Board or ACT. If you want to be reviewed for in-state tuition, you must submit verification of lawful presence.

Grand Canyon University

B.S. in Psychology: Forensic Psychology

Grand Canyon University (GCU) offers a 120-credit forensic psychology program through the College of Humanities and Social Sciences. This programs can be taken in-person of 100% online.

The program teaches a base in criminal law, forensic psychology, and cognitive and behavioral science. It addresses topics such as victimology and criminal behavior, and it supports ethical reflection in criminal justice and psychology. Graduates of this degree may choose to begin entry-level work or continue into graduate study in forensic psychology.

GCU seeks to prepare students with important professional skills based on ethical standards, including guidance found in the American Psychological Association (APA) Code of Ethics. You will learn in a mission-centered academic community that values thoughtful discussion and varied viewpoints.

The program examines the work of forensic professionals in both justice and psychology. You will study criminology and victimology theories while using psychological principles to understand criminal behavior and patterns of propensity.

As you move through the program, you can strengthen practical abilities and build theory-based knowledge for real-world use. In your final year, you will complete a capstone project where you create and present a research proposal supported by a solid methodological design. This final experience shows your academic progress and supports your move into professional work by allowing you to consider many career options and graduate-level paths.

The forensic psychology courses at GCU address a wide set of cross-field skills, including:

• Abnormal psychology
• Research methods and statistics
• Cognitive neuroscience
• Social psychology and cultural applications
• Criminal behavior and profiling
• Victimology and trauma
• Justice system processes and procedures
• Adult development and health psychology

Credit distribution of the program is as follows:

• General Education Requirements: 34-40 credits
• Major: 64 credits
• Open Elective Credits: 16-22 credits
• Total Degree Requirements: 120 credits

General Education coursework prepares Grand Canyon University graduates to think critically, communicate clearly, live responsibly in a diverse world, and carefully connect faith and ethical beliefs with all areas of life. General Education courses reflect the wide range of human knowledge and creativity found in the liberal arts and sciences tradition.

Students take many foundational courses that support broader knowledge and stronger insight. The knowledge and skills gained in these courses provide a base for career success and lifelong progress toward growing understanding and wisdom.

Completing this degree can lead to entry-level jobs in law enforcement, the legal system, and community services. Work in these areas often involves cooperation with police officers, attorneys, victims, and offenders while using psychological principles to address practical needs.

You may also seek roles such as social and community service manager, where you manage programs that support public well-being, or positions such as social and human service assistant and community and social service specialist. These roles can allow you to help people and communities in need while gaining useful experience in the field.

After you earn the BS in Forensic Psychology at GCU, you may continue into a graduate degree in forensic psychology, usually at the doctoral level, to become a licensed forensic psychologist. In this role, you may evaluate a defendant’s mental competency, complete assessments, provide counseling, support child custody matters, and assist with criminal investigations. Many professionals also conduct research that affects legal decisions or provide consultation on threat assessments and law enforcement training.

Forensic psychology specialists may work in settings such as:

• Hospitals and rehabilitation centers
• Community service organizations
• Police departments
• Law firms
• Educational institutions
• Government agencies
• Prisons and jails
• Courthouses

When you apply to GCU, you receive support from university counselors so you can feel at ease during the process, and there is no added cost for this help. GCU does not charge an application fee.

To be reviewed for full admission to GCU, submit acceptable high school or college transcripts. Test scores may be requested if transcript information alone does not meet GPA requirements.

Below are the admission steps:

• Submit Registration Form: Begin the admission process by completing this form with details about your preferred degree program and learning format.
• Submit Your Transcripts: Official transcripts may be mailed, faxed, or hand-delivered by the applicant. Campus students may upload unofficial transcripts through the Student Portal by logging in at gcuportal.gcu.edu.
• Explore Financial Aid: If you plan to request financial aid, visit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid.

For high school applicants, an unweighted 3.0 GPA is required. High school applicants with an unweighted GPA of 2.5 or higher may qualify if they also meet specific ACT and SAT score requirements.

If your unweighted high school GPA is 3.0 or higher, you do not need to submit SAT or ACT scores for admission. If your unweighted GPA is at least 2.5, you must have an ACT score of 19 or higher. GCU does not require an essay for admission.

Transfer students applying to GCU’s undergraduate degree programs should meet these admission standards:

• 25-90 transferrable college credits: Postsecondary (college) transcripts with an unweighted GPA of 2.25 or higher
• 6-24 transferrable college credits: Postsecondary (college) transcripts with an unweighted GPA of 2.75 or higher
• 1-5 transferrable college credits: Follow the admission standards listed for high school students

The Chicago School

M.A. in Forensic Psychology – Professional Counselor Licensure

The Chicago School offers an in-person and online 60-credit M.A. in Forensic Psychology with a Professional Counselor Licensure track. This counselor preparation program equips you with essential skills in diagnosis, therapy, and consultation so you can serve many groups of people within the legal system.

The licensure track includes the eight content areas identified by the National Board of Certified Counselors to prepare students who seek professional counselor licensure and want to start professional work at the master’s level. Graduates are prepared for roles supporting people of all ages who may experience many emotional, intellectual, and psychological symptoms and conditions.

Program length depends on your schedule. If you enroll full-time, completion usually takes about two years. If you enroll part-time, completion usually takes three to four years. The programs is offered at The Chicago School’s Chicago, Anaheim, Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., and Online campuses.

Students in the in-person and online program study in a setting designed to help future clinicians build self-awareness and multicultural competence. The program involves faculty in preparing clinicians who can respond to the needs of diverse communities. This licensure program is available at campus locations and online.

The program is dedicated to developing clinicians who are skilled and ethical and who will contribute to the mental health field. To complete the master’s degree successfully, you must finish required coursework along with clinical training. Full-time students commonly complete practicum and internship work during the second year of the academic program. Part-time students work closely with their academic advisor to choose the most suitable year for meeting training requirements.

The curriculum introduces students to key theory, scientific research, and applied skills in clinical psychology. This preparation enables students to use psychological science and practice when addressing matters tied to law and the legal system and to carry out professional duties in many forensic settings. The program emphasizes critical thinking, attention to ethical principles, the role of personal values, and cultural diversity, and it remains flexible so course content can be updated to reflect changes in the field.

Forensic practicum and internship placements are closely supervised training experiences where the knowledge, skills, and professional attitudes learned in the classroom are applied directly with forensic and or clinical groups. All sites are approved by the Office of Placement and Training (OPT) and give students the chance to work with high-risk groups across many settings, including prisons, jails, detention centers, police departments, special treatment units, state psychiatric hospitals, substance abuse facilities, and community-based programs serving victims and offenders.

These early training experiences connect the science and applied work of forensic psychology and counseling in real-world situations. With close supervision and mentoring, students begin shaping professional identity, identifying strengths and areas for improvement, and understanding their roles as clinicians and or providers of forensic services for a wide range of populations in many settings.

Students must complete at least 700 hours of clinical training during a 9-to-12-month practicum and internship under the supervision of a licensed master’s-level clinician or psychologist (e.g., LCSW, LPC, LCPC, LPCC, LMFT, licensed psychologist or psychiatrist). Students are expected to attend practicum 16 to 24 hours per week and must complete at least one hour of weekly individual supervision.

In addition, students must complete at least 280 hours of direct client contact. This may include clinical tasks such as diagnostic and or intake interviewing; individual therapy, group therapy, or family therapy; crisis intervention; and milieu therapy. Students are also responsible for administrative and case management duties, including but not limited to victim advocacy, consultation, applied research, and or court attendance.

After you complete the program successfully, you will be able to:

• Develop and maintain effective professional relationships with clients, peers, supervisors, faculty, and other professionals.
• Show basic knowledge of psychometric theory, assessment methods, and forensic literature to evaluate different parts of human experience, results of interventions, and psycholegal issues.
• Show understanding of research methods in the social and behavioral sciences, including the strengths and limits of research, and the scientific and professional literature relevant to forensic psychology.
• Identify and respect differences among individuals and groups and provide services with cultural competence.
• Plan and conduct professional work in line with ethical and professional codes, standards, and guidelines; statutes, rules, and regulations; and relevant case law.
• Use basic knowledge of theory, research, and professional literature to guide interventions and support strong mental health and well-being.

Choosing this program allows you to adjust your coursework to match specific educational and professional needs and to seek work in areas such as:

• Child welfare agencies
• State mental health facilities
• Jails or prisons
• Community mental health centers
• Juvenile correctional facilities
• Government agencies
• Family courts
• Private practice

Admission requirements for the online M.A. in Forensic Psychology program include:

• Completed application
• GPA of 3.0 or higher required
• Resume or curriculum vitae
• Essay
• Official college or university transcripts
• Three letters of recommendation
• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution

Walden University

Online Master of Science in Forensic Psychology

Walden University was founded in 1970 in an effort to increase access to higher education. In those days, Walden focused on pathways for educators to complete a doctorate. Today, Walden, which is headquartered in Minneapolis, is known nationwide as an online university with a host of majors and degree programs for working adults. It is a private, for-profit university with numerous professional accreditations. Walden is also regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

The advantage of pursuing your forensic psychology degree from Walden is that you get flexible options for finishing your program. Walden offers various types of learning formats to suit your needs. For example, you can take courses in a structured format that’s akin to traditional learning. Alternatively, you can try Tempo Learning, which is a work-at-your-own-pace format.

The Master of Science in Forensic Psychology program from Walden University is a 48 quarter credit program that can be completed in as little as two years. The program includes foundation and core courses, forensic psychology specialization courses, and a capstone or field experience.

As part of your studies, you will take classes in:

• Cybercrimes
• Family Violence
• Police Psychology
• Victimology
• Legal Issues in Forensic Psychology

Though this degree does not lead to licensure, it is good preparation for a Ph.D. program in forensic psychology. You can use this master’s degree to seek non-licensure positions in this field as well.

When applying for jobs, employers want to see you have relevant field experience. You’ll get that experience in an optional 11-week field placement in a location applicable to your specialty. You’ll work 60 hours at the field site and get practical experience applying your online learning to real-world situations.

You can apply to this program online at any time. You must have a bachelor’s degree to be eligible for admission to this program. You must also submit official undergraduate transcripts showing that a bachelor’s degree has been conferred.

How Many Years is it to Become a Forensic Psychologist?

How Much Does a Forensic Psychologist Make in Georgia?

As of February 2026, forensic psychologists in Georgia earn an average annual salary of approximately $127,500. Top earning forensic psychologists in Georgia make well over $160,000 per year.

In cities like Atlanta and Augusta, the average annual salary for a forensic psychologist is $112,705 and $109,605 respectively.

Related Reading

• Industrial Organizational Psychology Programs in Georgia
• Online Clinical Mental Health Counseling Programs in Georgia
• Georgia Schools Offering Marriage & Family Therapy Programs