The George Washington University - Columbian College of Arts & Sciences
MA in Forensic Psychology
Washington, USA
MA
DURATION
2 years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
TUITION FEES
USD 51,574 / per year
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* february 1 for fellowship consideration
Key Summary
About: The MA in Forensic Psychology at GW’s Columbian College explores how psychological concepts apply in the legal system. You’ll examine mental health from social, cultural, and legal perspectives and develop skills through coursework and externship training. The programme emphasizes research, critical thinking, collaboration, and real-world training in forensic assessment, legal psychology, criminal justice, and mental health evaluation.
Career Outcomes: Graduates move into professional roles in crime scene investigation, forensic assessment, correctional psychology, victim advocacy, or clinical support services, or pursue training in clinical psychology or public policy. Related pathways include research assistant, court consultant, probation officer, and rehabilitation specialist.
The Master of Arts in Forensic Psychology program attempts to answer these questions using psychological concepts as utilized in the legal system. Students learn to examine mental health through multiple perspectives: social, cultural and legal. Lastly, they learn to apply their skills through classwork and externship training.
The Columbian College of Arts and Sciences (CCAS) offers funding opportunities in all doctoral and master's programs. These awards differ by level and by program. PhD students are typically offered full funding packages (full tuition, living stipend, and graduate assistantship). CCAS offers merit-based partial tuition awards to many of the students admitted to our PsyD and master's programs; some of these programs also offer graduate assistantships as well as small stipend awards.
The following requirements must be fulfilled
The general requirements stated under Columbian College of Arts and Sciences, Graduate Programs.
37 credits, including 25 credits in required courses, 12 credits in elective courses, and successful completion of a comprehensive examination.
Required
- FORP 6101 Psychology and the Legal System I
- FORP 6102 Psychology and the Legal System II
- FORP 6103 Theories of Criminal Behavior
- FORP 6104 Psychopathology
- FORP 6105 Basics of Psychological Assessment
- FORP 6106 Ethics in Forensic Psychology
- FORP 6107 Research and Statistics
- FORP 6108 Consultation and Testimony
- FORP 6130 Practicum/Externship
Potential curriculum paths
Applied forensics
Four of the following recommended elective courses
- FORP 6117 Interrogation and Interviewing
- FORP 6118 Psychological Profiling
- FORP 6119 Police Psychology
- FORP 6120 Counterintelligence
- FORP 6128 Terrorism and Counterterrorism
- FORP 6129 Investigative Psychology
- FORP 6150 Advanced Topics in Forensic Psychology
Applied psychology
Four of the following recommended elective courses
- FORP 6109 Evaluation and Treatment of Offenders
- FORP 6110 Forensic Psychological Assessment
- FORP 6111 Evaluation and Treatment of Sex Offenders
- FORP 6112 Substance Abuse Evaluation and Treatment
- FORP 6113 Victimology
- FORP 6115 Children and Adolescents in the Legal System
- FORP 6131 Individuals with Mental Illness in the Legal System
- FORP 6150 Advanced Topics in Forensic Psychology
Other requirements
Successful completion of a master’s comprehensive examination is required.
GW offers master’s degrees and professional certificates ranging from programs in green chemistry, CSI and art therapy to public policy, data science and clinical psychology.