COURSE CURRICULUM

The Certificate in Forensic Psychology is an academic program designed to provide students with a foundational and applied understanding of psychology within legal and criminal justice contexts. It requires the completion of 30.0 credit hours, combining core psychology courses with specialized forensic content and approved electives. The program begins with introductory-level courses PSYC 101 and PSYC 102, which establish a basic understanding of psychological principles, followed by PSYC 204 and either PSYC 220 or PSYC 270, which explore developmental, social, or cognitive aspects of human behavior. Students then complete PSYC 321, which builds more advanced knowledge in psychological theory and research methods. A key component of the certificate includes two 300-level forensic psychology electives, allowing students to focus on specialized areas such as criminal behavior, mental health in legal settings, or psychological assessment in forensic contexts. In addition, students must complete three approved elective courses totaling 9.0 credit hours, offering flexibility to explore related disciplines and broaden their academic experience. Overall, the program integrates theoretical knowledge with applied learning, preparing students for further study or careers in fields such as law enforcement, corrections, mental health services, or graduate-level psychology programs, while strengthening analytical, research, and critical thinking skills.