Bachelor of Science in
Forensic Psychology
The Bachelor of Science in Forensic Psychology at the Embry-Riddle Prescott Campus combines interests in human behavior and the desire to positively impact the legal system. Psychology, research, math, science, statistics, and security are the foundations of the forensic psychology degree. This bachelor's degree builds on the understanding of behavioral and cognitive sciences, the impact of our society and culture on behavior, and the tools needed to evaluate those involved. Forensic psychology students are well-prepared to enter careers in psychology or various related fields within court systems, law enforcement agencies, government security agencies, and law firms, and pursue postgraduate study in master-level and doctoral programs.
Embry-Riddle’s Forensic Psychology program brings together many current ERAU strengths in areas such as applied psychology, social/behavioral research, and forensics and security.
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.
Our Prescott campus has a host of biological and psychological measurement equipment for demonstrations and student research. Students also have access to the forensics labs, cyber security labs, and intelligence labs that are part of the College of Security & Intelligence.
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.
DEGREE DETAILS
About Forensic Psychology at the Prescott, AZ Campus
Students in the Bachelor of Science in Forensic Psychology at the Embry-Riddle Prescott Campus will receive a broad foundation in math, sciences, and research methods achieved through lab experience as well as coursework in psychological statistics and research methodology. Psychology 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 global and cybersecurity, forensic science, and an understanding of both the U.S. legal system and international affairs.
The Bachelor of Science in Forensic Psychology degree is housed in the College of Arts and Sciences.
This degree program combines coursework across the Global Security and Intelligence Studies (GSIS), Cyber Intelligence and Industrial Psychology programs at the Prescott Campus, which allows cross-application of knowledge and expertise.
Psychology 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. 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 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 an 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.
Suggested Program of Study
| Freshman Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Credits | ||
| BA 201 | Principles of Management | 3 |
| BIO 120 & 120L |
Foundations of Biology I | 4 |
| COM 122 | English Composition | 3 |
| CI 119 | Introduction to Cyber Security for Non-Majors | 3 |
| Lower-Level Humanities | 3 | |
| Mathematics Elective | 3 | |
| Open Elective | 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) |
| Credits Subtotal | 31.0 | |
| Sophomore Year | ||
| COM 221 | Technical Report Writing | 3 |
or COM 222
|
Business Communication | |
| Mathematics Elective | 3 | |
| Open Elective | 4 | |
| 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 |
| Credits Subtotal | 30.0 | |
| Junior Year | ||
| CHM 110 & 110L |
General Chemistry I | 4 |
| CI 310 | Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance | 3 |
| Open Elective | 3 | |
| PSY 311 | Sensation, Perception, and Cognition | 3 |
| PSY 313 | Personality and Profiling | 3 |
| PSY 336 | Forensic Psychology | 3 |
| Designated Electives | 6 | |
| PSY 337 | Criminality | 3 |
| SIS 308 | Courts and Criminal Justice | 3 |
| Credits Subtotal | 31.0 | |
| Senior Year | ||
| ACC 329 | Forensic Accounting and Fraud Examination | 3 |
| Upper-Level Humanities or Social Science | 3 | |
| Upper-Level Communications Elective | 3 | |
| PSY 410 | Personnel Selection and Assessment | 3 |
| PSY 470 | Forensic Psychology Capstone I | 3 |
| PSY 471 | Forensic Psychology Capstone II | 3 |
| Designated Electives | 12 | |
| Credits Subtotal | 30.0 | |
| Credits Total: | 122.0 | |
Designated Electives
| 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 |
| * | UNIV 101 is taken in excess of degree requirements or meets open elective credit. |
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Degree Summary
122-123 Credits
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