Bachelor of Science in
Forensic Psychology

The Bachelor of Science in Forensic Psychology at Embry-Riddle emphasizes the application of psychological research and experimentation in cognitive and social psychology to the legal arena. Forensic psychology students are well-prepared to enter careers in psychology or various related fields within court systems, law enforcement agencies, government security agencies, aviation, and law firms, and pursue postgraduate study in master-level and doctoral programs.

Embry-Riddle’s Forensic Psychology program brings together many current Embry-Riddle strengths in areas such as applied psychology, social/behavioral research, and the forensics sciences.

The program is one of only a handful of Forensic Psychology bachelor programs in the nation and is one of only a few programs in psychology in which courses are taught by faculty (not graduate students or TAs), with small classes and extensive hands-on activities. Additionally, forensic psychology students have opportunities to work in the Forensic Science Laboratory, which offers space to learn forensic science techniques and investigations as it applies to criminal and civil cases.

Students in Forensic Psychology have opportunities to mentor juvenile offenders and volunteer in the local civil/criminal justice system, conduct hands-on research, pursue professional networking and development, and present their research at national scientific conferences. Psych Club (open to all majors) is one of the fastest growing student clubs on campus, and provides additional social and professional opportunities for students.

DETAILS

About Forensic Psychology at the Prescott, AZ Campus

Students in the Bachelor of Science in Forensic Psychology program receive a broad foundation in math, sciences, and research methods achieved through lab experience as well as coursework in psychological statistics and research methodology. Psychological training focuses the student on the development of the behavioral and social sciences and the role that they play in understanding and predicting human behavior. Students combine their psychological training with a solid foundation in forensic science and the U.S. legal system.

Courses in Sensation, Perception & Cognition, Personality & Profiling, Deceptions, Training & Development, and more give students a strong foundation in the science of psychology. Students also cover test and measurement theory as they apply to the development of surveys and other behavioral measurement instruments that rely on scientific and mathematical protocols.

The Bachelor of Science in Forensic Psychology degree is housed in the College of Arts and Sciences.

Learn more about the Prescott, AZ Campus

B.S. in Forensic Psychology

The goal of the Forensic Psychology program is to develop professionals trained in the science of human behavior and mental processes as they apply to the civil, legal, and criminal environments. Students will gain a thorough understanding of the basic approaches to behavioral/cognitive science, the U.S. legal system, the role of social and organizational context in human behavior, and how these tools can be used to understand, evaluate, and predict human behavior in a variety of situations. Students in the Forensic Psychology program will be prepared to meet the entry requirements for graduate programs in Forensic Psychology or related disciplines, assist with personnel evaluation in a variety of settings, work with local and federal agencies as part of enforcement or predictive behavior team, and contribute across many industries to the understanding and prediction of human interaction in a civil/criminal context.

Degree Requirements

Students in Forensic Psychology take 122 credits. Students in the program will receive a broad foundation in math, sciences, and research, achieved through lab science coursework as well as a 2-course sequence of psychological statistics and research methodology. Students also learn personnel assessment, group behavior, and criminality, including the design and science underlying measurements of human attitudes and behavior. Students combine their psychological training with a solid foundation in global and cyber security, forensic science, and understanding of both the U.S. legal system and international affairs. Students must complete a two-semester Capstone in which they will demonstrate their integration of this knowledge via a student-led research project or practicum experience.

Program Requirements

General Education (38 Credits)

BIO 120 & 120L	Foundations of Biology I and Foundations of Biology I Laboratory	4
CHM 110 & 110L	General Chemistry I and General Chemistry I Laboratory	4
CI 119	Introduction to Cyber Security for Non-Majors	3
COM 122	English Composition	3
COM 221	Technical Report Writing	3
or COM 222	Business Communication
Communication Lower-Level Elective		3
Humanities Lower-Level Elective		3
Humanities or Social Science Upper-Level Elective		3
Math Electives		6
PSY 101	Introduction to Psychology	3
SS 110	World History	3
or SS 120	U.S. History

Forensic Psychology Core (56 Credits)

ACC 329	Forensic Accounting and Fraud Examination	3
BA 201	Principles of Management	3
CI 310	Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance	3
PSY 226	Statistics for Organizational Analysis and Research	3
PSY 306	Psychology of Deception Detection	3
PSY 311	Sensation, Perception, and Cognition	3
PSY 313	Personality and Profiling	3
PSY 322	Research Design	4
PSY 336	Forensic Psychology	3
PSY 337	Criminality	3
PSY 365	Abnormal Psychology	3
PSY 410	Personnel Selection and Assessment	3
PSY 470	Forensic Psychology Capstone I	3
PSY 471	Forensic Psychology Capstone II	3
SIS 100	Introduction to Global Security	3
SIS 200	Introduction to the U.S. Legal System	3
SIS 220	Investigative Methodology and Forensic Science	4
SIS 308	Courts and Criminal Justice	3

Designated Electives (18 Credits)

Choose a total of 6 courses from the list below::

BA 319	Managerial and Organizational Behavior	3
BA 328	Professional Consulting	3
PSY 326	Group and Team Behavior	3
PSY 345	Training and Development	3
PSY 350	Social Psychology	3
PSY 494	Tests and Measurements Theory	3
SS 327	International Relations	3

Open Electives (10 Credits)

Open Electives

Total Credits

122

Forensic Psychology - General

Freshman Year
		Credits
BA 201	Principles of Management	3
BIO 120 & 120L	Foundations of Biology I	4
CI 119	Introduction to Cyber Security for Non-Majors	3
COM 122	English Composition	3
PSY 101	Introduction to Psychology	3
SIS 100	Introduction to Global Security	3
SS 110	World History	3
or SS 120	U.S. History
UNIV 101	College Success	(1)
	Humanities Lower-Level Elective	3
	Mathematics Elective	3
	Open Elective	3
	Credits Subtotal	31.0
Sophomore Year
COM 221	Technical Report Writing	3
or COM 222	Business Communication
PSY 226	Statistics for Organizational Analysis and Research	3
PSY 306	Psychology of Deception Detection	3
PSY 322	Research Design	4
PSY 365	Abnormal Psychology	3
SIS 200	Introduction to the U.S. Legal System	3
SIS 220	Investigative Methodology and Forensic Science	4
	Mathematics Elective	3
	Open Elective	4
	Credits Subtotal	30.0
Junior Year
CHM 110 & 110L	General Chemistry I	4
CI 310	Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance	3
PSY 311	Sensation, Perception, and Cognition	3
PSY 313	Personality and Profiling	3
PSY 336	Forensic Psychology	3
PSY 337	Criminality	3
SIS 308	Courts and Criminal Justice	3
	Designated Electives	6
	Open Elective	3
	Credits Subtotal	31.0
Senior Year
ACC 329	Forensic Accounting and Fraud Examination	3
PSY 410	Personnel Selection and Assessment	3
PSY 470	Forensic Psychology Capstone I	3
PSY 471	Forensic Psychology Capstone II	3
	Communications Lower-Level Elective	3
	Designated Electives	12
	Humanities or Social Science Upper-Level Elective	3
	Credits Subtotal	30.0
	Credits Total:	122.0