Forensic and Legal Psychology (M.A.)

Master the Criminal Mind

The psychology behind criminal behavior has become a crucial element within the legal and intelligence communities and the MA in Forensic and Legal Psychology can prepare you to bridge your understanding of the criminal mind to tackle challenges in law enforcement, criminal investigation and defense, public policy, national security and more. Our close proximity to the metro D.C. area allows you to gain real-world exposure to the intersection of psychology and the legal system  through courtroom observations, site visits, speaker series, and valuable internships with agencies and organizations such as the FBI, NCIS, National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism, Arlington County Police, D.C. Metropolitan Police, and the Virginia Indigent Defense Commission. 

Program Highlights

We have designed your learning experience with you in mind—that means building in advantages where we can so you can focus on building your future. Here are just a few of these advantages in your program: 

• 18 to 24-month program 

• Optional concentration in Intelligence Studies 

• Study abroad opportunities

• Experiential learning opportunities in the metro D.C. region 

What Can I Do With an MA in Forensics and Legal Psychology?

An MA in Forensics and Legal Psychology can position you for roles across the field of forensic psychology and in settings such as courtrooms, law enforcement, federal agencies, and nonprofits. A few career paths that value a background in forensic psychology include: 

• Correctional case managers
• Crime analysts
• Intelligence analysts
• Law enforcement agents, analysts, and officers
• Mitigation specialists
• Parole and probation officers
• Sentencing advocates
• Victim specialists

Employment in criminal justice and related fields such as forensic psychology is projected to grow 7% this decade, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The average salary for a Criminal Investigator in Virginia is $97,900, according to the Virginia Employment Commission.