M.A in Forensic Psychology


The primary objectives of the M.A. in Forensic Psychology program are to:

1. Provide a highly functional terminal degree for students who wish to prepare for master’s-level forensic jobs (e.g., in juvenile/adult court clinics, penal settings, law enforcement research departments or forensic psychiatric settings); and
   
   
2. Provide a springboard for students interested in pursuing doctoral training in psychology or law. The program provides training in the practice of forensic psychology, forensic psychological assessment, research methodology and psychopathology. Externships are available at a variety of forensic sites.
   
   

The curriculum consists of 48 credits offered on a trimester basis (five trimesters) over a two-year period, with multidisciplinary course offerings and faculty drawn from criminal justice, sociology, biology, administrative science and law, as well as psychology. The rich resources in the New Jersey – New York City axis are available for training, externships and thesis research. The final, fifth trimester consists of an externship in forensic psychology (a field placement) and an externship pro-seminar.

Required courses include four foundation courses in psychology (Applied Social Psychology, Statistics and Research Methods, Psychopathology and Theories of Personality), and six core courses in forensic psychology (Introduction to Forensic Psychology, Forensic Assessment and Prediction, Evaluating Criminal Responsibility and Competencies, Psychological Bases of Criminal Behavior, Interviewing Techniques and Ethical Issues in Forensic Practice). In addition, students choose four electives from available options in the broader field of forensic psychology.

Students are required to pass a comprehensive examination at the end of the fourth trimester. A master’s thesis is optional but highly recommended for those students pursuing doctoral training.

First Trimester (Fall)
• Applied Social Psychology
• Statistics and Research Methods
• Introduction to Forensic Psychology
• Psychological Bases of Criminal Behavior

Second Trimester (Spring)
• Theories of Personality
• Psychopathology
• Forensic Assessment and Prediction
• Evaluating Criminal Responsibilities and Competencies

Third Trimester (Summer)
• Elective
• Elective

Fourth Trimester (Fall)
• Interviewing Techniques
• Ethical Issues in Forensic Practice
• Elective
• Elective

Fifth Trimester (Spring)
• Externship in Forensic Psychology
• Externship Pro-seminar

Electives
• Forensic Scientific Evidence
• Forensic Issues in Family Court
• Evaluation and Treatment of Sex Offenders
• Women and Crime
• Psychological Profiling
• Juvenile Offenders
• Forensic Intervention Strategies
• Abuse in Intimate Relationships
• Master’s Thesis I
• Master’s Thesis II

Note: Specific courses from other departments/schools also may be taken as electives.


Admission Requirements for M.A Program

Applicants for the M.A. in Forensic Psychology are required to submit the following when applying for admission to the program:

1. A graduate studies application and non-refundable application fee.
2. Official transcripts for all post-secondary school academic work. [Completion of an undergraduate degree (B.A. or B.S.) in psychology or a related field from an accredited institution of higher education, including evidence of requisite courses in psychology (General/Introductory Psychology, Statistics, Experimental Psychology and Abnormal Psychology), is required for consideration for admission.]
3. Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores — both general test scores and subject test scores in psychology. (The schedule of testing dates for the GRE can be obtained from the Educational Testing Service, Princeton, NJ 08540, or by visiting www.gre.org.)
4. Two letters of recommendation. (At least one must
   be from a faculty member.)
   

All required materials, including official transcripts, should be sent directly to the Graduate Admissions Office, Fairleigh Dickinson University, 1000 River Road (T-KB1-01), Teaneck, NJ 07666. The application deadline for fall admission is March 15.

When the requirements supporting an application for admission are complete, the applicant may be requested to undergo a personal interview with the program director and/or one or more core program faculty. Admission to the M.A. Program in Forensic Psychology is based on the quality of an applicant’s previous academic achievement and the applicant’s qualifications to pursue graduate training in forensic psychology.

FACULTY

The seven core faculty members all hold doctoral degrees and are drawn primarily from the School of Psychology. Their areas of specialization include clinical, social and experimental psychology. The core faculty also includes a sociologist and a criminologist.

Six adjunct faculty include four practitioners holding joint law and doctoral degrees, and a law professor. In addition to the wealth of resources available to students in the greater New York metropolitan area, students have access to Fairleigh Dickinson’s new,
state-of-the-art Cyber Crime Lab in Forensic Science Administration, and can take a forensic science course in the School of Natural Sciences or select from many course offerings in the School of Criminal Justice.



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