Forensic psychology is the application of psychological science to the justice system. Forensic psychologists not only have to be specialists in a branch of psychology, but they also have to specialize in a branch of law or justice.
Though Illinois is primarily known for being a leading manufacturing state, it’s economy has been rapidly shifting toward a heavy dependence upon high-value-added services like law and higher education; this shift, combined with the fact that Illinois is the fifth most populous state, provides numerous opportunities for finding schools and jobs in the field of forensic psychology.
Best Forensic Psychology Programs in Illinois
Here are some of the popular schools offering forensic psychology programs in Illinois:
- The Chicago School
- Governors State University
- Quincy University
- Liberty University
- Western Illinois University
- Walden University
- Purdue Global
To find out how we select colleges and universities, please click here.
The Chicago School
M.A. in Forensic Psychology – Professional Counselor Licensure
The Chicago School offers an in-person and online 60-credit M.A. program in Forensic Psychology with a Professional Counselor Licensure track. This counselor training program provides key skills in diagnosis, treatment, and consultation so you can work with many types of people within the legal system.
The licensure track includes the eight content areas set by the National Board of Certified Counselors (NBCC) to support students who want professional counselor licensure and plan to start professional work at the master’s level. Graduates are readied for roles serving people of all ages who may have many emotional, intellectual, and psychological symptoms and conditions.
The time needed to finish the program depends on your schedule. If you attend full-time, you can usually complete it in about two years. If you attend part-time, you will usually finish in three to four years.
The in-person M.A. in Forensic Psychology with the Professional Counselor Licensure track is available through The Chicago School’s Chicago, Anaheim, Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., and Online campuses.
Students in the in-person and online program learn in a setting that prepares future clinicians to build self-awareness and multicultural skill. The program involves faculty in preparing clinicians who can serve diverse communities. This licensure program is offered at campus locations and online.
Some of the core courses that you will take include:
- Introduction to Forensic Psychology
- Ethics and Professional Issues
- Psychology of the Lifespan
- Psychopathology
- Clinical and Diagnostic Interviewing
- Mental Health Law
Licensure track elective courses include:
- Substance Abuse Evaluation and Treatment
- Forensic Documentation, Report Writing, and Testifying
- Group Processes of Therapy
- Family Systems and Family Therapy
- Theories of Counseling and Psychotherapy
- Career Development and Counseling
- Social and Cultural Foundations in Counseling
- Forensic Psychology in Correctional Settings
- Evaluating and Treating the Sex Offender
- Clinical Practicum
- Clinical Practicum II
The program focuses on preparing clinicians who are skilled and ethical and who will support the mental health field. To complete the master’s degree, you must finish required courses along with clinical training. Full-time students usually complete practicum and internship work in the second year of the academic program. Part-time students coordinate with their academic advisor to choose the best year to meet training requirements.
The coursework introduces you to core ideas, research findings, and applied skills in clinical psychology so you can use psychology in matters linked to law and the legal system and carry out professional duties in many forensic work settings. The program supports careful thinking, respect for ethical principles, attention to personal values, and cultural diversity, and it stays flexible so course content can be updated as the field changes.
The licensure track also includes the eight content areas named by NBCC for students seeking Professional Counselor licensure and planning to begin professional work at the master’s level. For on-ground students, The Chicago School Forensic Center and the Forensic Training Institute provide service-learning options that train students to become capable and civically active forensic mental health practitioners.
Forensic practicum and internship placements are closely supervised learning and training experiences where you apply the knowledge, skills, and professional attitudes gained in class to forensic and or clinical groups. All placement sites must be approved by the Office of Placement and Training (OPT) and give you the chance to work with high-risk groups in many settings, including prisons, jails, detention centers, police departments, special treatment units, state psychiatric hospitals, substance abuse facilities, and community-based programs for victims and offenders.
These early training experiences connect research-based practice and applied work in forensic psychology and counseling in real-world settings. With close supervision and mentoring, you start forming your professional identity, identifying your strengths and limits, and learning your responsibilities as a clinician and or forensic service provider for many populations in varied settings.
You must complete at least 700 hours of clinical training during a 9-to-12-month practicum and internship. This work must be supervised by a licensed master’s-level clinician or psychologist (for example, LCSW, LPC, LCPC, LPCC, LMFT, licensed psychologist, or psychiatrist). You are expected to attend practicum 16 to 24 hours each week and to complete at least one hour of weekly one-to-one supervision.
You will also complete at least 280 hours of direct client contact, which may include clinical tasks such as diagnostic and or intake interviews, individual therapy, group therapy, family therapy, crisis support, and milieu therapy. You are also responsible for administrative and case management duties, including but not limited to victim advocacy, consultation, applied research, and or court attendance. Some states set higher hour totals for licensure. The Director of Clinical Training will help you understand the licensure rules for your state.
Faculty members review each student’s progress to guide decisions about whether the student is ready to apply for practicum and internship placements.
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 writing to evaluate key parts of human experience, results of interventions, and issues that link psychology and law.
- Show understanding of research methods in the social and behavioral sciences, including the strengths and limits of research and the scientific and professional writing used in forensic psychology.
- Identify and respect differences among individuals and groups and provide services with cultural competence.
- Plan and carry out 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 writing to guide interventions and support strong mental health and well-being.
Choosing the in-person or online M.A. in Forensic Psychology with the Professional Counselor Licensure track allows you to adjust your courses 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
Applicants to the M.A. in Forensic Psychology program must submit:
- A completed application
- An application fee of $50
- A required GPA of 3.0 or higher
- A resume or curriculum vitae
- An essay
- Official college or university transcripts
- Three letters of recommendation
- A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
Governors State University
B.A. in Psychology with a Concentration in Forensic Psychology
Governors State University offers a B.A. in Psychology with a concentration in forensic psychology that gives you the chance to approach behavior and human experience using scientific thinking and to build skills and values that support psychology as both a science and an applied field.
The program aims to help you begin viewing yourself through the scientist-practitioner model. It works to prepare you for graduate study in psychology and counseling and for careers at the bachelor’s level that rely on knowledge of human behavior and functioning.
The curriculum follows the 2013 American Psychological Association (APA) undergraduate psychology learning goals in knowledge, methods, values, and skills tied to psychology, and it includes applied areas in psychology, technology skills, communication skills, socio-cultural and international awareness, and personal and professional growth.
The concentration centers on using psychology as a science and a profession in the criminal justice system and the legal system. Forensic psychologists conduct research and provide consultation on psychological matters within legal work, including eyewitness testimony, jury selection, psychological assessment, and children’s testimony. Forensic psychologists also advise lawmakers and law enforcement staff on public policy, criminal justice topics, and correctional system issues that involve psychology.
While working as a forensic psychologist requires focused graduate study at the master’s or doctoral level, a bachelor’s-level concentration in forensic psychology presents the core knowledge, practical skills, and professional practices that support preparation for graduate study in forensic psychology and related areas. The concentration also supports bachelor’s-level preparation for careers such as law enforcement, corrections, probation and parole, and juvenile detention.
If you plan to enter graduate study in forensic psychology or other areas within psychology, you should work with your advisor to choose courses carefully so you meet admission expectations for a graduate program. Graduate programs often ask for 24 to 30 hours of undergraduate psychology coursework, including statistics, research methodology, cognitive and learning coursework, developmental psychology, personality theory, experimental psychology, social psychology, and abnormal psychology.
You must satisfy all university requirements for a bachelor’s degree and take part in outcome assessment activities when requested at admission to the program, at set points during the program, and at graduation. You must earn a grade of “C” or higher in all required core courses and selected courses. The program requirements are distributed as follows:
- General Education Requirement (37 Hours)
- Required Courses: Psychology Core (31 Hours)
- Forensic Psychology Concentration (15 Hours)
- Psychology Electives (6 Hours)
- Electives (31 Hours)
- Total: 120 Hours
Required core courses of the program include:
- Thinking and Writing in Psychology
- Intro to Research Methods
- Life-span Developmental Psychology
- Personality Theories
- Ethics in Psychology
- Psychology Statistics
- Abnormal Psychology
- Psychological Issues and Social Values
Forensic psychology required and elective courses include:
- Forensic Psychology
- Foundations of Social Justice
- Physical and Sexual Abuse of Children
- Principles of Psychological Testing
The program works to prepare you for graduate study in psychology and counseling or for careers at the bachelor’s level that rely on knowledge of human behavior and functioning. The curriculum offers many chances to gain the knowledge base, methods, values, skills, and applied areas in psychology; technology skills; communication skills; socio-cultural and international awareness; and personal and professional growth.
Along with meeting university admission requirements, you must meet one of these GPA standards for admission to the program: a cumulative G.P.A. of 2.0 or higher, or a G.P.A. of 2.0 or higher across your most recent 60 credit hours. In special cases, the university may review applications individually and make decisions case by case.
Quincy University
BS in Forensic Psychology
The BS Forensic Psychology program at Quincy University examines how psychology connects with the justice system. You study human behavior, mental health, and criminal behavior while learning how psychological ideas apply to law enforcement, courts, corrections, and legal decision-making.
This program uses a broad meaning of Forensic Psychology that includes five sub-specialties:
- Police psychology
- Psychology of crime and delinquency
- Victimology and victim services
- Legal psychology
- Correctional psychology
This approach is used to give students wide and detailed learning in psychological scientific theory and research methods, along with knowledge of how that science is used in the criminal justice and legal systems. As a result, the major supports student academic and career goals across all of the sub-specialties listed above.
Program Requirements for the Forensic Psychology Major:
- Completion of the Bonaventure Program and the requirements for undergraduate degrees.
- To meet the technology skills requirement, you must pass CIS 101 – Introduction to Information Technology or an equal course.
- You must complete 39 hours of core courses at the 200-400 level.
- The two 3-hour practica (PSY 497 and CRJ 480) must include coordinated experiences, set through discussion with the practicum instructors. Each practicum must include an integrative paper.
- To earn the degree, you must have a cumulative major GPA of 2.0 and you may have no more than two major courses with grades below a C.
Required Psychology Courses:
- Psychopathology 3 Credits
- Research Methods & Statistics I 4 Credits
- Research Methods & Statistics II 4 Credits
- PSY 380 – Psychology and Law 3 Credits
- PSY 497 – Seminar/Practicum 3 Credits
Required Criminal Justice Courses:
- Criminal Investigations I 3 Credits
- Criminal Behavior 3 Credits
- Criminology 3 Credits
- Practicum in Criminal Justice 1-6 Credis
Elective Courses:
9 hours of elective courses, 200-300 level. Students may choose to emphasize a particular focus as a part of their selection of 9 hours from the following elective courses:
- Focus on Individuals in Interaction:
- Social Psychology 3 Credits
- Personality Theory 3 Credits
- Counseling Theory 3 Credits
- Focus on Children:
- Adolescent Psychology 3 Credits
- Juvenile Delinquency 3 Credits
- Abuse and Neglect in the Family 3 Credits
- Focus on Police and Corrections:
- Police and Society 3 Credits
- Crime and Corrections 3 Credits
- Community Corrections, Probation and Parole 3 Credits
- Focus on Law:
- United States Government 3 Credits
- Mock Trial I (Civil) 2 Credits
- Mock Trial II (Civil) 1 Credits
- Mock Trial II (Civil) 1 Credits
- American Constitutional Law 3 Credits
- Civil Rights and Civil Liberties 3 Credits
Graduates complete the program with a solid base in psychological theory, research methods, and the use of psychology in legal and criminal justice settings. You build skills in critical thinking, ethical decision-making, data analysis, and professional communication while studying how human behavior and the justice system affect each other.
First-Time Freshman Admission Requirements
A First-Time Freshman is a student who has recently finished high school and has not yet enrolled full-time at any college or university.
- Submit a completed First Time Freshman QU Application or a First Time Freshman Common App.
- Request your official high school transcript and have it sent to QU Admissions.
- Request your official ACT or SAT scores and have them sent to QU Admissions (QU’s College Board code: ACT 1120 or SAT 1645).
- If you choose the test-optional option, your admissions counselor will send you a writing prompt.
- If this applies to you, have your Advanced Placement (AP) test scores sent to Quincy University (QU’s College Board code: 1645).
- A personal statement and or letters of recommendation may be required based on a decision by the Office of Admissions and or the Admissions Committee.
Transfer Student Admission Requirements
A transfer student is a student who completed college-level coursework after high school graduation and wants to continue their education at Quincy University. This includes students who attended a community college or another college or university.
- Submit a completed Transfer QU Application or a Transfer Common App.
- Request your official college or university transcripts from every school you attended and have the transcript(s) sent to QU Admissions.
- Request your official high school transcript if you have completed fewer than 60 college credit hours during the application process and have it sent to QU Admissions.
- A personal statement and or letters of recommendation may be required based on a decision by the Office of Admissions and or the Admissions Committee.
Liberty University
Online Master of Science in Criminal Justice – Forensic Psychology
The online Master of Science in Criminal Justice – Forensic Psychology from Liberty University is a 36-credit program that takes just 1.5 years to complete. This program is entirely online with no campus visits required. What’s more, each class is just eight weeks in length, and since you take classes one at a time, you can easily concentrate on each subject.
Core coursework might include the following:
- Fundamentals of Forensic Psychology
- Crisis Intervention in Law Enforcement
- Psychology and the Legal System
- Rehabilitation and Reintegration of Offenders
- Administration of Justice Organizations
You will also explore topics related to child custody issues, the admissibility of expert testimony in court, and crisis theory strategies.
This program offers additional benefits if you work in law enforcement or are a first responder. Not only do you get a 25 percent discount on tuition, but you might also gain credit for training and work experience that you’ve already completed.
What’s more, if you were in the military, you can stack Liberty’s military benefits with law enforcement and first responder benefits to further reduce the cost of this degree.
To apply to this program, you must fill out an admissions application and submit transcripts from all colleges and universities.
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.
What Should I Major in to Become a Forensic Psychologist?
To become a forensic psychologist, you should major in psychology. Choose a program that includes abnormal psychology, clinical psychology, research methods, statistics, and psychological assessment. If available, add a forensic psychology concentration or take electives in criminal justice, criminology, and law. This path best prepares you for the graduate degree (master’s or doctorate) usually required for forensic psychology careers.
Should I Get a BA or BS for Forensic Psychology?
For forensic psychology, a BS is usually the better choice because it includes more science, statistics, and research training, which graduate programs often expect. A BA also works if you complete key courses like statistics, research methods, abnormal psychology, and psychological assessment, and add electives in criminal justice or criminology. Choose BS for stronger grad school prep, and BA for more flexibility
How Much Does a Forensic Psychologist Make in Illinois?
As of February 2026, forensic psychologists in Illinois earn an average annual salary of approximately $111,500. Top earning forensic psychologists in Illinois make well over $150,000 per year.
The average annual salary for forensic psychologists in major cities like Chicago, Aurora, Naperville, Joliet, and Springfield is $110,204, $135,765, $246,900, $134,097, and $88,813 respectively.
Contact Us
Privacy Policy