If you're curious about why people behave the way they do and how those behaviors intersect with the legal system, a degree in forensic psychology could be your gateway.
In this guide, we'll break down the top online forensic psychology programs of 2026, so you can pick one that fits your goals, schedule, and budget.
Best Online Forensic Psychology Programs
How We Highlight What Schools Do Best
We analyzed each school's program to identify qualities that set it apart from others on this list, prioritizing factors like affordability and tuition value, strength of transfer policies, opportunities for experiential learning, and the availability of specialized pathways such as faith-based or bachelor's-to-master's options. Based on these strengths, we assigned each school a superlative category.
Since many programs share similar offerings and outcomes, our goal is to simplify your college decision-making by highlighting the features most relevant to your needs.
We verified these schools' facts in December 2025.
Why You Should Get a Forensic Psychology Degree
Apply Psychology to Criminology: If you're fascinated by how human behavior connects to criminal investigations, this degree lets you explore both. You'll learn how to analyze evidence, understand mental health factors, and apply psychological principles within the legal system.
Diverse Career Paths: A forensic psychology degree opens doors beyond criminal justice. Graduates can pursue work in law enforcement, corrections, social services, victim advocacy, jury consulting, or research.
Benefits of Getting a Forensic Psychology Degree Online
According to BestColleges' 2025 Online Education Trends Report:
Most (95%) of the online psychology, education, and social sciences students and graduates who were surveyed said they think earning an online degree has had or will have a positive return on investment.
Over half (52%) of these respondents said their online classes included assignments they could relate to their current jobs.
Three-quarters (75%) said an online learning environment is equal to or better than learning on campus.
How to Choose the Best Program for You
Before you even apply for a forensic psychology program, you should consider several factors, including its cost, length, application requirements, and accreditation status.
Cost and Financial Aid
Bachelor's in Psychology, 2020
Online
Avg. Tuition & Fees: $11,998
Avg. Net Price: $7,471
On-Campus
Avg. Tuition & Fees: $17,797
Avg. Net Price: $8,536
Source: NCES PowerStats
The average price for an online bachelor's in psychology is around $12,000 per year, according to 2020 data from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). That's about $5,000 less than the price of on-campus education.
Financial aid can further lower the cost of an online degree to about $7,470 per year. However, these prices are averages, and tuition can actually vary greatly across schools.
With this in mind, complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to see if you qualify for federal, state, and institutional grants, scholarships, and loans.
Once you've submitted the FAFSA, you can list which schools you'd like to receive your information. These schools will then send you a personalized estimate of how much you'll pay after financial aid is applied.
Find Financial Aid for Your Degree
Program Length
Typical # of Credits
120 Credits
Typical Program Length
4 Years
If you're a full-time student taking 12-15 credits each semester, it will take you around four years to graduate. However, if you are part-time students taking between 3-12 credits, you'll likely take between 4-6 years to graduate.
Some universities offer accelerated programs, which are designed to be completed in around 2-3 years. While graduating faster sounds ideal, accelerated programs can be challenging because of the heavier course load and faster pace.
You should also consider whether a school accepts transfer credits. Some schools offer degree completion programs, which are designed for students who already have college credits and want to finish their bachelor's degree faster. Bay Path University, for example, lets you transfer up to 90 credits so you can graduate in as little as one year.
Application Requirements
Most online forensic psychology programs require that you submit:
Test Scores: Many schools require SAT or ACT scores to apply.
Letters of Recommendation: You may need to hand in around three letters of recommendation from teachers, peers, or supervisors who can vouch for your work ethic and character.
Official Transcripts: High school and college transcripts are needed to check which courses you've completed and any credits that may transfer toward your degree.
Essays: Most colleges require 500-800 word essays discussing your skills and relevant experiences.
Understanding the paperwork you need to apply for colleges before starting the process can help you stay organized during application season. For instance, since taking standardized tests and requesting letters of recommendation takes time, it's a good idea to know what you need to hand in ahead of time so you can plan accordingly.
Accreditation
Verifying if a school has institutional accreditation is one of the most important steps before applying. It ensures the degree program covers the skills you need to start a career once you graduate.
Accredited institutions are vetted by organizations like the Higher Learning Commission, the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, and the New England Commission of Higher Education, which are approved by the U.S. Department of Education.
These agencies evaluate faculty qualifications, academic rigor, student support services, graduation rates, and how well programs prepare students for real-world careers.
You can find a list of all accredited institutions on the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) or the U.S. Department of Education websites.
Curriculum
Your online forensic psychology program will cover the intersection of psychology, criminal justice, and the legal system.
Here's a few examples of courses you may take at schools on our list:
Forensic Psychology: Learn criminal investigative techniques and the psychologist's role in correctional and judicial settings.
Psychopathology/Abnormal Psychology: Study recorded mental health issues and pathologies found in the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders and treatments for pathologies.
Criminal Law: Learn about the judicial processes and laws governing court cases and the rights of each party.
Policing and Corrections: Study the history and methods behind corrections for crimes and policing in the United States.
No two programs are the same. Compare curriculums before applying to see how each program differs. You may find some have more strengths and weaknesses in psychology, law, or forensics.
Student Support
Many schools offer online students support services such as virtual office hours, one-on-one mentorship, academic advising, professional development programs, and internships.
Maryville University, for instance, provides 24/7 academic and technical support, counseling, and life coaching. You can also use university resources — like LinkedIn Learning, Handshake and TechReady.io — to build your professional connections and skills.
When you compare these services across schools, you'll get a clearer idea of which programs will help you succeed.
What Can You Do With a Forensic Psychology Degree?
Three of the most common career paths you can follow with a forensic psychology degree are forensic science technician, probation officer, and detective. These roles don't require licensure or certification. But certain positions, such as detective, usually require professional experience and proven investigative skills.
The fastest-growing field among these is forensic science technician, with a projected 13% growth rate from 2024-2034, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Probation officers and detectives roles, on the other hand, are projected to grow at 3% rate during this same period.
| Job | Median Annual Salary (May 2024) | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Forensic Science Technician | $67,440 | Responsible for on-site and laboratory evidence analysis |
| Probation Officer | $64,520 | Responsible for communicating with criminal offenders on probation |
| Detective | $77,270 | Responsible for investigating and gathering evidence to solve crimes |
Frequently Asked Questions About Online Forensic Psychology Degrees
No, you typically don't need a license or certification to work in most bachelor's-level forensic psychology careers, such as forensic science technician and probation officer.
