B.A. Criminology, Forensic Psychology Specialization

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Program Overview

The Bachelor of Arts in Criminology, Forensic Psychology Specialization degree prepares students for a wide range of criminal justice related careers in the private sector, as well as with federal, state, and local government agencies. The majority of graduates use the degree to begin their career in law enforcement, criminal law, victim services, corrections, or social work. The curriculum in criminology provides students with a psychology-oriented multidisciplinary approach to crime and criminal behavior, specifically familiarizing students with the primary ways professionals use to explain, predict and prevent crime and victimization. Students may continue their studies as early-entry participants into the M.A. Forensic Psychology program.

The curriculum of the BA in Criminology, Forensic Psychology Specialization degree is based on the content areas outlined by the Academic of Criminal Justice Sciences (ACJS).  The ACJS content areas are Administration of Justice, Corrections, Criminological Theory, Law Adjudication, Law Enforcement, Research and Analytic Methods, and Diversity in Criminal Justice.

Program Philosophy

The B.A. Criminology, Forensic Psychology Specialization is designed to provide students with a multi-disciplinary psychological approach to crime and prepares students for a wide range of criminal justice related careers in the private sector, as well with government based agencies.  Students will be able to apply learned criminological theories, concepts, and best practices.The program is designed to accommodate those who seek to complete their degree while effectively maintaining both their professional and personal commitments. This program provides a gateway to graduate programs in the field of psychology thereby prepares students to move into an M.A. program with either Forensic Psychology or Counseling Psychology with a concentration in Forensic Psychology.

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the criminology major coursework, students will be able to:

Professional Practice

• Acquire knowledge about the correlates to crime are and how to exhibit those in statistics and data methodology.
• Demonstrate knowledge in the field of criminology and the process of adult and juvenile offenders.

Diversity

• Students will be able to apply the knowledge on diversity factors that are related to race, ethnicity, gender, socioeconomic status, age, religious belief, and ability, to recognize injustices within the criminal justice system.

Professional Behavior

• Students will be able to employ ethical perspectives and judgements in applying ethical standards related to the application of criminal justice science.
• Incorporate and demonstrate strategies/solutions regarding the criminal justice system learned in the program through oral presentations and written work.

Scholarship

• Apply the principles of criminology research to the field of criminal justice and forensic psychology.  Students will critically evaluate issues that arise in the criminal and juvenile justice system and discuss possible solutions.

Admission Requirements

For information on where The Chicago School of Professional Psychology is currently authorized, licensed, registered, exempt or not subject to approval, please visit https://www.thechicagoschool.edu/why-us/state-authorization/

Applicants will be judged on their overall ability to successfully complete an undergraduate degree program. Generally, a high school cumulative GPA of a 2.3 or higher on a 4.0 scale is required for admission.

• Completed application and $50 application fee
• Applicants must provide proof of the qualifying conferral - high school graduation (or the equivalent) or proof of an earned Associate degree. Proof of qualifying conferral must be provided in one of the following ways:
  • Official high school transcript showing an earned high school diploma and date of graduation.  A copy of a high school diploma or unofficial transcriptions, if official transcripts are not immediately available, can be submitted with a contingency that original transcripts will be on file prior to day 9 of the term/semester of entry. Financial aid will not be disbursed until the compliant documentation is received.
  • Official Associate degree transcript from a regionally-accredited institution showing degree earned and date conferred
  • Official college transcript from a regionally-accredited institution that contains the high school name and date of graduation
  • Official NACES or AICE evaluation of an international diploma that contains the high school name and date of graduation
  • High school equivalency completed through homeschooling as defined by state law
  • Official General Educational Development (GED) document.  A copy of the student’s GED Certificate, or unofficial GED score issued by the state, can be submitted with a contingency that the Official GED document will be on file prior to close of the census. Financial aid will not be disbursed until the compliant documentation is received.
  • Official Test Assessing Secondary Completion (TASC) document
  • Official High School Equivalency Test (HiSET) document
  • Official documentation showing a passing score on a state-authorized exam that the state recognizes as equivalent to high school graduation
  • Letter showing the date of graduation written on high school letterhead and signed by a high school administrator with an academic title
  • Form DD214 showing the high school name and date of graduation, if listed.

Applicants with a cumulative high school or undergraduate GPA below 2.3 and applicants seeking admission with high school equivalency documentation that does not show a GPA (such as GED, homeschool, or testing) are required to submit additional documentation.

• Curriculum Vita/ Resume
• One Letter of recommendation (optional)
• Essay of intent

SAT/ACT scores are not required for admission. However, applicants who have taken the SAT/ACT may submit their scores to enhance their application.

Applicants to the BA Criminology, Forensic Psychology Specialization program who have earned an Associate of Arts Degree from a regionally accredited college or university in Criminology, Criminal Justice, Sociology, Psychology, or related social or behavioral discipline will receive “block transfer” of all credits in that degree toward the BA. The evaluation of transfer credit for this purpose is subject to TCSPP’s Transfer Credit Policy. Students may need to take additional General Education courses based on the regulatory requirements of their state of residence. 

Students will be required to take all the courses in the major unless they receive transfer credit for a specific course (e.g., Social Problems); total credits must be at least 120 for graduation.

Applicant Notification

The Chicago School of Professional Psychology reviews applications on a rolling basis. Once review begins, complete applications will be considered by the Admission Committee and applicants will be notified regarding the admission decision. The Chicago School of Professional Psychology does not share information or provide any feedback regarding admission decisions.

If a student is offered admission, in order to secure a place in the incoming class, a non-refundable tuition deposit of $100 will be required by the deposit deadline indicated in the offer of admission. The non-refundable deposit will be applied in full toward the student’s tuition upon enrollment.

Policies

The following policies are located under Academic Policies and Procedures :Academic Calendar, Admissions Requirements, Attendance, Satisfactory Academic Progress, Service Learning, and Transfer Credit/Course Waiver. 

General Education

Information about TCSPP’s required general education curriculum is availabe here.  This includes the required courses, learning outcomes, and information on the general education capstone experience. 

Criminology Major Capstone

The CR 500 Capstone Project  is designed to allow students the opportunity to integrate and apply learning from their undergraduate courses into a comprehensive presentation. The Capstone Course is an independent study project that consists of a formal research project, intended to demonstrate skill in research and critical thinking. The project is composed of a detailed research question and a literature review component. Students are encouraged to design projects that addresses a gap in the criminology literature as an important issue within the field of criminal justice. , whether academic or professional. While no actual data is generated or data analyzed, the project is intended to incorporate and expand upon the depth of knowledge gained from previous years of study, and the student’s personal educational and professional interest as it pertains to the areas of Criminology.

Ethical Guidelines

Students are expected to learn and to follow the ethical guidelines of the American Psychological Association, APA’s current Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct for Psychologists during and after their work at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology, as well as the professional norms, standards, and guidelines relevant to the profession. A class in ethics is required, and student adherence to ethical codes is evaluated both formally and informally.