MS in Forensic Psychology

Master's Degree in Forensic Psychology at Neumann University

Forensic psychology is a dynamic, competitive, and mission-driven field related to psychology and the law. As a discipline, forensic psychology explores the connection between human behavior and the justice system — serving as the application of psychology to issues relating to the legal system. Professionals working in forensic psychology are tasked with improving the relationships between individuals and the legal system — by assessing, evaluating, and treating offenders and victims.

Neumann University’s Master of Science in Forensic Psychology is designed to provide skills in psychological and intelligence analysis within the criminal and civil justice systems. The program is fully online and the degree focuses on understanding, evaluation, and treatment of offenders and victims, both individually and in aggregate.

The forensic psychology degree includes a set of required courses, with some flexibility to customize coursework based on individual interests. Electives include a variety of traditional courses in addition to courses in intelligence studies.

Request More Information

Master's in Forensic Psychology

Features

Outcomes

Required Courses

Electives

Tuition

Admissions Requirements

Graduate Assistantships

Meet the Program Director

Meet the Faculty

Careers

Other Related Programs

Features

Neumann University’s master’s in forensic psychology consists of 30 credits (10 courses).
For students who already have a bachelor's degree, the online forensic psychology degree can be completed in two years.
For current Neumann undergraduates who elect the 4+1, the program can be completed in 1-year post-baccalaureate (summer, fall, and spring).
Students can choose between one of three capstone experiences: thesis, practicum, or comprehensive exam.
Students who choose to pursue Intelligence Studies have the opportunity to use and master the IBM Analyst Notebook (a software product from IBM for data analysis and investigation).
Students are taught by Neumann University psychology professionals who have field experience and are well-equipped to prepare the next generation of forensic psychologists.

Request More Information

Learning Outcomes

Advocate for and extend psychology’s role and responsibility in promoting agency and the psychological well-being of individuals, communities, and organizations.
Adapt to shifting demands and ill-structured problems by critically evaluating the relevance, priority, and appropriateness of various sources of information and potential courses of action.
Design, conduct, and evaluate research through the lens of its potential to advance knowledge in psychology as well as the psychological well-being of individuals, communities, and organizations.
Integrate psychological theories, methods, and research to generate new knowledge and promote agency and the psychological well-being of individuals, communities, and organizations.
Incorporate Neumann University’s RISES values into the application of forensic psychology.
Examples of internship and job placements include the Forensic and Intelligence department at Human Services Inc. in Thorndale, PA, Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office in Mount Holly, NJ, Montgomery County Corners Office, and Philadelphia Women’s Organization Against Rape.

Request More Information

Required Courses (18 Credits)

FP 601 Intro to Forensic Psychology and Intelligence Analysis (3 Credits)
FP 602 Psychopathology (3 Credits)
FP 603 Criminal Behavior (3 Credits)
FP 604 Forensic Assessment and Interview (3 Credits)
FP 620 Psychology and the Law (3 Credits) or FP 621 International Law (3 Credits)
FP 700 Practicum I (3 Credits) or FP 750 Thesis I (3 Credits) or 770 Comprehensive Exam (0 credits)

See catalog for more details.

Request More Information

Elective Courses (12 Credits)

Select any 4 of the following electives:

FP 630 Individual Profiling and Case Analysis (3 Credits)
FP 631 Group and Country Profiling (3 Credits)
FP 650 Strategic/National Security Intelligence Analysis (3 Credits)
FP 651 Intelligence Analysis of Organized Crime (3 Credits)
FP 652 Intelligence Analysis of Terrorism (3 Credits)
FP 653 Electronic Intelligence Analysis (3 Credits)
FP 660 Correction (3 Credits)
FP 661 Substance Abuse Assessment and Intervention (3 Credits)
FP 662 Crisis Intervention (3 Credits)
FP 664 Juvenile Justice (3 Credits)
FP 665 Death Penalty (3 Credits)
FP 667 Human Trafficking (3 Credits)
FP 670 Developmental Psychopathology (3 Credits)
FP 701 Practicum II (3 Credits)
FP 751 Thesis II (3 Credits)
FP 626/726 Special Topics (3 Credits)

Request More Information

Tuition

Tuition for the master’s in forensic psychology is based on the number of credits students are enrolled in. For more information, visit the Office of Financial Assistance.

While Neumann is known for its competitive, affordable sticker price, we know that most graduates need financial assistance of some kind while enrolled in graduate school. For everything you need to know about your financial aid options, download our guide: Offsetting the Cost of Graduate School — Financial Aid for Graduate Students.

Request More Information

Admissions Requirements

Applicants must submit official transcripts from all institutions attended, a graduate writing prompt, a current resume, and two (2) letters of recommendation.

For more information on the admissions requirements for the forensic psychology degree visit our admissions page.

Request More Information

Graduate Assistantships at Neumann University

Neumann University offers a number of graduate assistantships in various offices throughout campus including residence life, campus ministry, enrollment management, student leadership & engagement, athletics, knights pantry, the library, university advancement and so many more.

LEARN MORE

Meet the Forensic Psychology Master’s Program Director

Dr. Colleen McDonough was a full-time faculty member in Neumann’s undergraduate psychology program for 15 years before leaving in 2021 to work for the Central Intelligence Agency as a psychological analyst. She returned to Neumann in 2023 to serve as the Director of the new MS in Forensic Psychology, where she teaches courses in psychology and intelligence analysis.

Dr. McDonough earned her PhD in Psychology from Lehigh University, where she completed her dissertation on infant speech perception and memory development. She currently has an active social psychology research program focused on stereotypes, implicit priming and the role of message framing in perception. She has a keen interest in political psychology and once co-hosted a radio show titled “Your Brain on Politics.”

She also has a Masters in Public Health and spent several years doing epidemiological and infectious disease research for the US Navy in San Diego. Highlights included intensive, multi-year research into Gulf War Syndrome and an outbreak investigation of flesh-eating bacteria at a military base in California.

In her spare time she can be found riding her Harley Davidson, learning how to use a recurve bow, or spending time with her family.

Request More Information

Meet the Faculty

Faculty and Staff in the School of Education and Human Services

Dr. Kimberly Pavlik

Adjunct Professor
MS in Forensic Psychology

Dr. Kimberly Pavlik earned her PhD in Criminal Justice, a Post Grad Certificate in Public Policy Strategic Planning, her MS degree is in Higher Education, a BS degree in Business Administration and paralegal certificate, and an AS degree in Criminal Justice Law Enforcement. She had an exciting career working as a Crime Scene Investigator (CSI) and Police Diver (evidence recovery). Then during 2012-2018, she did government contract work related to "battlefield forensics” and deployed to countries like Bahrain, Kuwait, and Afghanistan.

She has taught in all levels of education ranging from K-12 through higher education as well as being a General Instructor for police recruits for more than 15 years. Dr. Pavlik has even taught English as a TEFL Instructor in Florence, Italy.

Additionally, she worked in several academic administrative positions to include: Professor, Program Director, Director for the Center for Teaching and Learning, and Director for Curriculum and Faculty Development. Dr. Pavlik is currently an Online Adjunct Professor for several universities and teaches in the areas of criminology, criminal justice, cyber security, forensics, and political science. Furthermore, she continues to do Instructional Design contract work to improve the curricula for her students.

Dr. Pavlik has moderated at conferences and in 2018, she presented research in Beijing, China at a conference on human trafficking. #Wear Blue was an event she coordinated for one University in order to bring awareness to human trafficking for the community.

Lastly, she enjoys sharing her work experience with her students and giving them career suggestions. She values the support from her community being active in Human Trafficking awareness. In her free time, she volunteers as an Ambassador for Shared Hope International, serves actively on the KY Human Trafficking Task Force, and has held various positions with non-profits to include being an Executive Board member for New Beginnings (Sexual Assault Treatment Center) in Owensboro, KY.

Dr. Natalie (Tallie) Armstrong

Adjunct Professor
Ms in Forensic Psychology

Natalie (Tallie) Armstrong earned her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Sam Houston State University, completed her pre-doctoral internship with Eastern Virginia Medical School, and completed a postdoctoral fellowship in forensic psychology from the Medical University of South Carolina. Since 2018, she has worked in maximum security, forensic state psychiatric hospitals completing court-ordered criminal forensic evaluations, supervising junior colleagues, and addressing systemic issues through policy and research. Currently, she works as a forensic evaluator within the Division of Forensic Services for the Dept. of Behavioral Health & Human Services (DBHDS) for the Commonwealth of Virginia; she also serves as Chair of the Institutional Review Board for DBHDS, and is the sitting President of the American Psychological Association Division 18.

Robert J. McMonagle

Professor
MS in Forensic Psychology

Professor
Political Science
BA, Temple University
MA, University of Chicago
PhD, Temple University
Phone: 610-361-5278
Email: mcmonagr@neumann.edu

Kristen Acosta

Assistant Professor and Program Coordinator
MS in Forensic Psychology

Assistant Professor
Criminal Justice
BS, St. Joseph's University
MS, West Chester University
Phone: 610-558-5624
Email: acostak@neumann.edu

Faculty and Staff

Master’s in Forensic Psychology Jobs

Graduates of the master’s in forensic psychology may pursue roles in court-connected settings, corrections and rehabilitation programs, victim services organizations, behavioral health environments, and other justice-related agencies.

Neumann’s forensic psychology master’s program is designed to help students explore how psychology, human behavior, and the legal system intersect across a range of professional pathways.

Job Titles to Explore

Victim Services Coordinator — Supports individuals affected by crime by helping them access resources, navigate legal processes, and connect with community or justice organizations.
Forensic Assessment Specialist — Assists with gathering behavioral information, conducting interviews, reviewing case materials, and supporting evaluation-related work within the limits of the role.
Court Evaluator Support Specialist — Provides support for court-connected work such as case review, behavioral documentation, interview preparation, and evaluation support.
Corrections or Rehabilitation Specialist — Works in settings focused on offender support, behavioral services, reentry planning, case management, or substance use support.
Intelligence or Investigative Support Analyst — Contributes to intelligence support, case analysis, behavioral analysis, or related justice-focused investigative work.

This forensic psychology degree can help you begin building a career in a justice-related setting that fits your interests, whether you are drawn to advocacy, assessment, analysis, rehabilitation, or court-connected support work.

Neumann Alumni are currently working as:

State Police Crime Center Mission Support Specialists
Substance Abuse Therapists
Behavioral Technicians
Re-entry Discharge Counselors
Case Managers
Recovery Program Directors
Paralegals* (requires additional certification)
Managers of Investigations
Victim Advocates
Intelligence Analysts

Request More Information

Related Degree Programs

MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling

Request More Information

We hope you can join us

Upcoming Informational Events

View All Events

April 30 | 12:00 AM EST

Degree Completion Webinar | April 30 at 12:00 AM EST

Watch Now

September 25 | 2:00 PM EST

General Admissions Webinar | September 25 at 2:00 PM EST

What Can We Answer For You?

Frequently Asked Questions

About the Industry

Professionals with forensic psychology backgrounds may work in court-connected settings, corrections and rehabilitation programs, victim services organizations, behavioral health environments, and other justice-related agencies. The appropriate setting depends on an individual's education, experience, credentials, and professional interests.

Forensic psychology careers span a variety of fields, including law enforcement, analysis, public policy, and consulting. Here’s a closer look at potential master’s in forensic psychology jobs.

Crime/Research Analyst
Court Diversion Coordinator
Juvenile Justice Reform Program Manager
Law Enforcement Officer
Correctional Counselor/Specialist
Probation/Parole Officer
Intelligence Analyst
Investigative Analyst
Mitigation Specialist
Policy Analyst
Pretrial Services Officer
Sentencing Advocate
Sex Offender Supervisor
Suicidology Researcher
Trial Consultant
Victim Specialist

A master’s in forensic psychology can support career paths in victim services, corrections and rehabilitation, intelligence and investigative analysis, case management, and other justice-related settings. Neumann alumni are currently working in roles such as intelligence analyst, victim advocate, manager of investigations, case manager, re-entry discharge counselor, substance abuse therapist, and more.

A forensic psychologist’s salary depends on a variety of factors including level of education, area of expertise, location, and position. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average salary for psychologists, including those working in forensics, is around $94,000 — with a job growth rate of 6 percent.

A master’s in forensic psychology can help you build knowledge and skills relevant to roles that apply psychology within legal and justice-related settings. However, a master’s degree alone generally does not qualify you to become a licensed forensic psychologist; licensure typically requires a doctoral degree, supervised experience, and meeting state-specific requirements.

Forensic psychology broadly applies psychological principles to legal and justice-related issues, including assessment, interviewing, research, treatment, and understanding behavior within legal contexts. Criminal psychology generally focuses more specifically on understanding criminal behavior, making it an area that can overlap with the broader field of forensic psychology.

There is a common misconception that there is no difference between forensic psychology and forensic science, but these two fields are not interchangeable.

Forensic science “examine[s] and analyze[s] evidence from crime scenes,” including but not limited to DNA collection, fingerprinting, ballistics studies, and other laboratory work. Differing from forensic science, forensic psychology is the study and application of psychology within a legal framework.

While both forensic psychology and forensic science are integral parts of the judicial system, these two disciplines are vastly different and require professionals with very different training and skill sets.

Unlike forensic scientists, professionals who pursue a forensic psychology career learn the science of human behavior and master the ability to effectively assess and advise individuals within a legal and judicial context.

About the Program

Yes. Neumann University’s master’s degree in forensic psychology is offered fully online, providing students with the flexibility to complete their graduate education without attending classes on campus. The online format is designed to accommodate students balancing their education with professional and personal responsibilities.

Students study topics including forensic psychology and intelligence analysis, psychopathology, criminal behavior, forensic assessment and interviewing, and psychology and the law or international law. Students also complete four electives, allowing them to explore additional topics aligned with their interests.

Students can choose a practicum as their culminating experience, providing an option for applied learning within the online master’s in forensic psychology.

A thesis is not required for every forensic psych student. Neumann allows students to choose from three culminating experiences—a thesis, practicum, or comprehensive exam—providing different options based on their academic and professional interests.

Full-time forensic psych students typically graduate within two years. Our forensic psychology master’s is a 30-credit program with 10 courses.

The master’s in forensic psychology accepts incoming students for the Fall and Spring semesters. Our program offers rolling admissions, and application deadlines differ by semester.

You can visit our admissions page or contact an admissions counselor for more details: gradadultadmiss@neumann.edu.

Current Neumann undergraduates who choose the 4+1 option can complete the graduate portion of the forensic psychology degree program in one post-baccalaureate year spanning summer, fall, and spring. Students should review the 4+1 requirements with Neumann to determine eligibility.

Request Info

Additional Resources

Career Spotlight: Victim Services Coordinator and Forensic Support Roles

Image Credit: Getty ImagesAs a justice professional, you likely got into the field to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others. From...

Career Pathways with a Master’s in Forensic Psychology

Critical Skills You'll Build in a Forensic Psychology Master's Program

Request More Information

Additional Links

Request More Information

Meet with Corinne Kahler, Assistant Director for Degree Completion and Graduate Admissions.

Meet with Corinne

Master's Degree in Forensic Psychology at Neumann University