Bachelor of Science in
Forensic Psychology
The Bachelor of Science in Forensic Psychology focuses on applying psychological research and evidence-based practices to the legal field. The Forensic Psychology program brings together many of Embry-Riddle’s strengths in areas such as applied psychology, social/behavioral research and the forensic sciences.
This degree is one of only a handful of forensic psychology bachelor’s programs in the nation. It is also one of only a few programs of its kind with courses taught by faculty (not graduate students or TAs), small classes and a wide range of hands-on activities.
In this program, students will learn how to:
- Inform legal arguments and judicial decision making
- Aid criminal investigations
- Aid persons in troubling situations (e.g., victims of crime)
Outside of the classroom, students have opportunities to mentor juvenile offenders, volunteer at local civil/criminal justice systems, conduct hands-on research, participate in professional networking and present at scientific conferences. Students are also encouraged to join the Psych Club (open to all majors without restriction) and PSI CHI (Honor’s Society).
Forensic psychology students graduate ready to enter careers in:
- Psychology
- Legal systems
- Law enforcement agencies
- Government security agencies
- Aviation
- Law firms
Graduates are also prepared to pursue postgraduate study in master-level and doctoral programs.
DETAILS
About Forensic Psychology at the Prescott, AZ Campus
Students in the Bachelor of Science in Forensic Psychology program receive a broad foundation in the psychological and forensic sciences through lab experiences, coursework and mentorship.
Psychological training is focused on gaining knowledge of the behavioral and social sciences and the role 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.
Through courses in Perception & Cognition, Personality & Profiling, Training & Development and more, students improve their understanding of the science of psychology and become prepared to enter the industry.
Forensic Psychology students also have opportunities to work in our Forensic Science Laboratory, which offers space to learn forensic science techniques and carry out investigations related to criminal and civil cases.
Upon graduation, students can put their Forensic Psychology degree to use in a variety of areas, including:
- Evidence collection
- Psychological assessment
- Risk assessment
- Crime scene investigations
- Counseling
- Victim advocacy
The Bachelor of Science in Forensic Psychology degree is housed in the College of Arts and Sciences.
Forensic Psychology is the application of psychological principles and evidence-based practices to legal issues and processes, such as, for example, criminal investigations and adjudications. The Forensic Psychology program develops professionals trained in the science of human behavior and mental processes as they apply to a variety of contexts (e.g., legal, judicial, employment, mental wellness). Through this program, students learn to understand, evaluate, and predict human behavior and, upon graduation, are prepared to meet the entry requirements for graduate programs in Forensic Psychology or related disciplines and work with, for example, local and federal agencies as part of enforcement, investigative, or behavioral intervention teams.
Degree Requirements
Students in Forensic Psychology take 122 credits. The Bachelor of Science in Forensic Psychology can be earned in eight semesters assuming appropriate background and fulltime enrollment. Students are encouraged, but not required, to choose a minor field of study.
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 |
| COM 122 | English Composition | 3 |
| COM 221 | Technical Report Writing | 3 |
| or COM 222 | Business Communication | |
| Communication Lower-Level Elective | 3 | |
| Computer Science/Information Technology 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 |
| 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 320 | Aviation Psychology ** | 3 |
| PSY 322 | Research Design * | 4 |
| PSY 335 | Physiological Psychology * | 3 |
| PSY 336 | Forensic Psychology | 3 |
| PSY 337 | Criminality | 3 |
| PSY 365 | Abnormal Psychology * | 3 |
| PSY 401 | Psychology of Leadership * | 3 |
| PSY 410 | Personnel Selection and Assessment ** | 3 |
| PSY 496 | Capstone in Psychology * | 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 |
| 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 |
| SIS 342 | Interview Techniques & Tactics | 3 |
| SIS 352 | White Collar Crime | 3 |
| SIS 411 | Procedural Laws and Evidence | 3 |
| SS 327 | International Relations | 3 |
Open Electives (10 Credits)
| Open Electives | 10 | |
| Total Credits | 122 | |
| * | Only Offered in Fall |
| ** | Only Offered in Spring |
All Army ROTC students are required to complete SS 321 - U.S. Military History 1900-Present (3 credits) in order to commission.
Forensic Psychology - General
| Freshman Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| COM 122 | English Composition | 3 |
| Mathematics Elective | 3 | |
| Open Elective | 3 | |
| PSY 101 | Introduction to Psychology | 3 |
| SS 110 | World History | 3 |
or SS 120
|
U.S. History | |
| UNIV 101 | College Success | (1) |
| Credits Subtotal | 15.0 | |
| Spring | ||
| CHM 110 & 110L |
General Chemistry I | 4 |
| Designated Elective | 3 | |
| Humanities Lower-Level Elective | 3 | |
| Math Elective | 3 | |
| PSY 320 | Aviation Psychology | 3 |
| Credits Subtotal | 16.0 | |
| Sophomore Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| BA 201 | Principles of Management | 3 |
| BIO 120 & 120L |
Foundations of Biology I | 4 |
| COM 221 | Technical Report Writing | 3 |
or COM 222
|
Business Communication | |
| PSY 311 | Sensation, Perception, and Cognition | 3 |
| PSY 365 | Abnormal Psychology | 3 |
| Credits Subtotal | 16.0 | |
| Spring | ||
| Communication Lower-Level Elective | 3 | |
| Computer Science/Information Technology Elective | 3 | |
| PSY 226 | Statistics for Organizational Analysis and Research | 3 |
| SIS 200 | Introduction to the U.S. Legal System | 3 |
| SIS 220 | Investigative Methodology and Forensic Science | 4 |
| Credits Subtotal | 16.0 | |
| Junior Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| PSY 306 | Psychology of Deception Detection | 3 |
| PSY 322 | Research Design | 4 |
| PSY 335 | Physiological Psychology | 3 |
| PSY 336 | Forensic Psychology | 3 |
| SIS 308 | Courts and Criminal Justice | 3 |
| Credits Subtotal | 16.0 | |
| Spring | ||
| Designated Elective | 3 | |
| Humanities or Social Science Upper-Level Elective | 3 | |
| Open Elective | 4 | |
| PSY 313 | Personality and Profiling | 3 |
| PSY 337 | Criminality | 3 |
| Credits Subtotal | 16.0 | |
| Senior Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| ACC 329 | Forensic Accounting and Fraud Examination | 3 |
| Designated Electives | 3 | |
| Open Elective | 3 | |
| PSY 401 | Psychology of Leadership | 3 |
| PSY 496 | Capstone in Psychology | 3 |
| Credits Subtotal | 15.0 | |
| Spring | ||
| Designated Electives | 9 | |
| PSY 410 | Personnel Selection and Assessment | 3 |
| Credits Subtotal | 12.0 | |
| Credits Total: | 122.0 | |
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Summary
122-123 Credits
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