MA Applied Forensic Psychology

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Distance Learning

Program Overview

The 30 credit M.A. Applied Forensic Psychology program is designed for students who want to be employed in a field that intersects the legal and public policy arenas with psychology. Students must complete the capstone Applied Research Project, which integrates and applies program learning to answer a research question. The program prepares students for employment in non-clinical roles in a multitude of forensic, governmental, non-profit, and community settings. A six credit, optional concentration may be added to the program in Corrections, Police Psychology, or Criminology.

Program Philosophy 

The M.A. Applied Forensic Psychology program exposes students to the relevant psychological principles, scientific research, and skills that enable students to apply the science of psychology to issues of law and the legal system, and to assume professional responsibilities in a variety of forensic settings. The program emphasizes critical thinking, sensitivity to ethical principles, the role of personal values, and cultural diversity and endeavors to be flexible in order to adapt course content to reflect developments in the field. 

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this program students will be able to:

Professional Practice

• Assessment: Students will demonstrate fundamental knowledge of forensic psychology to evaluate various dimensions of human experience and behavior and psycho-legal issues. 

• Intervention: Students will integrate theory, research, diversity and cultural variables, and forensic psychology literature to guide prevention, consultation, and other professional activities that promote optimal mental health and well-being. 

• Interprofessional Education: Students will identify best practices in communication, documentation, coordination, and collaboration among disciplines to achieve improved outcomes within the scope of forensic psychology. 

• Forensic Psychology: Students will demonstrate knowledge of the legal, correctional, and law enforcement systems and the practice of psychology within those systems.  Students will apply forensic psychology principles to communicate and collaborate with other professionals and engage in social justice advocacy. 

Diversity

• Diversity and Inclusive Excellence: Students will demonstrate insight and awareness of self and others as it relates to the importance of inclusivity, the intersectionality of diversity and cultural variables, and social justice within forensic psychology settings.

Professional Behavior

• Relationship: Students will acquire skills to develop and enhance relationships with their clients, supervisors, faculty, peers, and other professionals to achieve improved outcomes within forensic psychology settings. 

• Ethics and Professional Development: Students will develop their professional identity and apply ethical and professional guidelines, statutes, rules, regulations, and relevant case law as it relates to decision-making in the area of forensic psychology. 

Scholarship

• Research: Students will demonstrate critical thinking, understanding and application of scientific and professional literature, the benefits and limitations of research, the importance of evidence-based assessment and treatment, and the relevance to the field of forensic psychology. 

Admission Requirements

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

Application to the M.A. Applied Forensic Psychology program is open to any person who has earned a bachelor’s degree from an institutionally accredited institution and who meets other entrance requirements. Applicants will be judged on their overall ability to do graduate work.

Factors that are considered in admission are:

• Completed application and $50 application fee.
• Generally, an undergraduate GPA of a 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale is required for admission.
• Official Transcripts
  • Applicants must submit official transcripts from all schools where a degree was earned.
  • It is recommended that transcripts are submitted from all schools where credit was received to enhance their applications.

Applicants with a cumulative GPA below 3.0 are required to submit additional documentation:

• Resume or CV with work history.
• Essay answering the following questions:
  • Reasons for applying to the M.A. Applied Forensic Psychology program at The Chicago School and how you this program will prepare you for your career aspirations
  • Professional career goals as they relate to the practice of forensic psychology
  • Importance of studying topics related to diverse populations throughout the program
  • Challenges you may foresee in working with people different from yourself (including but not limited to race/ethnicity, religion, sexual/gender identity, socioeconomic status, and any other individual/group differences)

The program also requires applicants to have successfully completed at least one undergraduate course in either statistics or research methods with a grade earned of ‘C’ or better. Applicants without one of these courses must complete them in accordance with the policies outlined in the Progression Requirements section below.

Progression Requirements

Applicants must have successfully completed (with a grade earned of ‘C’ or better) at least one undergraduate course in either statistics or research methods by the end of their second term. Students must successfully meet this progression requirement through one of the following options:

• A grade of “C” or higher in TCS 390 Introduction to Statistics or TCS 385 Introduction to Research Methods;
• A grade of “C” or higher in a comparable course at the Chicago School; or
• A grade of “C” or higher in a comparable course at another institutionally accredited institution.

Applicants accepted with no previous statistics or research methods coursework will be required to register for TCS 385 or TCS 390 in their first two distance learning terms. All students must meet this progression requirement by the end of their first second term. Students who do not successfully fulfill this requirement will not be allowed to register in any future coursework within the program of study until this requirement is met. Failure to register may result in the student being administratively withdrawn from the program. Extensions can be granted by the Program Chair or designee when extenuating circumstances prevent completion of the requirement in the specified time frame. Requests for an extension must be submitted in writing to the Program Chair for consideration.

Standardized Testing

The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is not a requirement for admission. Students who have taken the exam may submit their scores to enhance their application. Scores should be sent directly to the school (GRE School Code: 1119) for consideration.

Applicant Notification

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

If a student is offered admission and in order to secure a place in the incoming class, a non-refundable tuition deposit of $250 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.

Articulation Agreements

The Chicago School has also established agreements between the MA Applied Forensic Psychology program and the MA Forensic Psychology, Professional Counselor Licensure program listed below. Click on the link of the program that interests you for details 

MA Applied Forensic Psychology to PsyD Clinical Forensic Psychology  

Degree Completion Requirements

• Successful completion of all coursework requirements.
  • MA Forensic Psychology: 30 credit hours
  • MA Forensic Psychology, Concentration Track: 36 credit hours
• Successful completion of capstone project.

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. Click the link above for detailed information.

Ethical Guidelines

Students are expected to be knowledgeable of and adhere to the “Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct” as published by the American Psychological Association.

References will be made to additional ethical codes, such as, but not limited to, the Specialty Guidelines for Forensic Psychologists (American Psychological Association, 2013) and the “ACA Code of Ethics” of the American Counseling Association.

Please refer to the policies located in the Student Rights and Responsibilities section of the Academic Catalog and Student Handbook for additional conduct requirements.

Student Professional Evaluation and Student Review Process

The course content and experiential activities offered by the MA Applied Forensic Psychology program are designed to afford students the opportunity to advance their intellectual and professional development and functioning. Throughout the program of study, students are given feedback concerning their personal, academic, and professional strengths, developmental needs, and performance. Students are expected to respond and incorporate this feedback in a mature and professional manner. Throughout their matriculation in the program, students are expected to explore and recognize the effects their personal beliefs, issues, emotions, and behaviors have on others and on their ability to function and provide services as a professional. Students are also formally evaluated with regard to their professional comportment at the end of specific courses in the curriculum. Additionally, all students are reviewed by program faculty and administration with respect to their overall program performance during the student review process.

Academic Advisor Assignment

An academic advisor is assigned to each student and student progress is tracked and addressed through informal meetings or more formal Academic Development Plans (ADPs) depending on the presenting needs. A multi-tiered support system is in place, including support from the academic advisor, department chair, and student support counselor.