Nearly half of forensic psychology degree graduates go on to graduate school

BA - Forensic Psychology

What is a Forensic Psychology degree?

The forensic psychology degree program at Florida Tech offers in-depth preparation for careers and graduate study in behavior analysis, clinical psychology, criminal justice, social work, organizational management and law. Students benefit from small classes, personal interaction with faculty and exciting research opportunities in diverse topics including autism and Alzheimer's research, animal training, gender studies, emotional wellness and criminal behavior. The forensic psychology degree offers a unique program designed to provide knowledge and skills in preparation for careers in several areas of criminal justice in the context of a firm foundation in basic psychology. Graduates of this program can pursue careers in criminal justice professions, such as crime analysts, police or probation officers and victim advocates, and in nonprofit and social service agencies that coordinate efforts with legal/justice systems, such as domestic violence shelters and victim's rights groups. Some graduates may choose to pursue graduate study in criminal justice, forensic psychology, criminology or law. The forensic psychology degree program emphasizes skills in crime analysis (tracking patterns and social correlates of criminal activity), crime prevention and community liaison work among legal, law enforcement and social service agencies. Statistical analysis, program development and program evaluation are some of the competencies students are expected to acquire. Students in the forensic psychology degree program perform an internship in a criminal justice organization.

Advantages

Why Florida Tech: Individual attention Solid graduate school preparation Abundant community resources Hands-on fieldwork

The Numbers: Average class size within department: 23, Faculty members: 22

Learning

Clubs and Organizations: Psi Chi, Psychology Honor Society,Undergraduate Psychology Student Association,Forensic Psychology Association

Research: Florida Tech forensic psychology degree students can take one-credit or three-credit research experience classes to gain exposure to applied research. Students work with faculty in ongoing research projects as observers or participants at various levels of commitment. Florida Tech's School of Psychology also operates a variety of clinics and service and consulting programs including: Family Learning Program East Central Florida Memory Clinic Community Psychological Services Center for Organizational Effectiveness

Internships and Cooperative Learning: All undergraduate forensic psychology degree majors complete an internship as part of a three-credit-hour course during the senior year. Honor students write a thesis in place of the internship. Internships offer students direct experience with the day-to-day conduct of some area of applied psychology. Such experience allows students to see applications of the knowledge they have gained in their psychology course work and acquaints them with the activities of working psychologists. The following companies have recruited Florida Tech interns: Best Buy (industrial/organizational) Brevard County Sheriff's Department (criminal justic/forensic) Brevard Zoo (animal behavior) Children's Home Society (clinical) Circles of Care (clinical) Dolphin Quest Oahu (animal behavior) East Central Florida Memory Disorder Clinic (neuropsychology) EPCOT (animal behavior) Palm Bay Police Department Victim Services Unit (forensic) Space Coast Early Intervention Center (applied behavior)

Future Outcomes

Outcomes - Grad School: Nearly half of forensic psychology degree graduates continue their studies in graduate programs in counseling, social, clinical or forensic psychology or law school at universities such as: The Ohio State University University of Central Florida Nova Southeastern University Boston College Colorado State University

Outcomes - Career and Salary: Graduates of the forensic psychology degree program can pursue careers in criminal justice professions, such as crime analysits, police or probation officers and victim advocates, and in nonprofit and social service agencies that coordinate efforts with legal/justice systems, such as domestic violence shelters and victim's rights groups.

Curriculum

Curriculum program plans shown reflect current degree requirements. Previous academic year requirements can be accessed from the catalog page by choosing the appropriate academic year.

Print

Bachelor of Arts in Forensic Psychology

The Bachelor of Arts degree program in forensic psychology is a unique program designed to provide knowledge and skills in preparation for careers in several areas of criminal justice in the context of a firm foundation in basic psychology. Graduates of this program can pursue careers in criminal justice professions, such as crime analysts, police or probation officers and victim advocates, and in nonprofit and social service agencies that coordinate efforts with legal⁄justice systems, such as domestic violence shelters and victim’s rights groups. Some graduates may choose to pursue graduate study in criminal justice, forensic psychology, criminology or law.

The forensic psychology program emphasizes skills in crime analysis (tracking patterns and social correlates of criminal activity), crime prevention, and community liaison work among legal, law enforcement and social service agencies. Statistical analysis, program development and program evaluation are some of the competencies students are expected to acquire. Students in this program perform an internship in a criminal justice organization.

Degree Requirements

Candidates for a Bachelor of Arts in Forensic Psychology must successfully complete 120 credit hours as indicated in the suggested curriculum below.

Restricted Electives

The Restricted Elective in a foreign language requires two semesters of a foreign language other than a student’s home language. PSY and PSF courses other than PSY 2444 cannot be used as the Social Science Elective. PSF 3511, PSF 3512, PSF 4515 (if different topic is chosen), PSF 4551 and PSY 4511 may be used as restricted electives (PSF), if not used in the theory and practice, or research and applications categories. Communication Electives may be satisfied by any COM 2xxx, 3xxx or 4xxx courses, foreign languages or linguistics.

Curriculum

Freshman Year

Sophomore Year

Junior Year

Senior Year

TOTAL CREDITS REQUIRED 120

Not all humanities core courses are offered online or every term; check the current schedule of classes for humanities core options.

**Psychology Bases

Psychology Honors Program

Academically gifted, highly motivated students may participate in the department’s honors program. Students who plan to seek graduate degrees are strongly advised to consider this program.

The psychology honors program is available to juniors enrolled in all undergraduate psychology programs (B.A., B.S., psychology; B.A., forensic psychology). The honors program includes six credit hours of Psychology Honors Thesis (PSY 4515) taken in place of the internship (PSY 3999, PSY 4000, PSY 4001). Students must also complete a minimum of three (3) credits of the Psychology Honors Seminar (PSY 4590), usually taken in place of lower-level courses in the concentration area or in place of free electives. Only honors students may write a thesis.

Admission Requirements

Prospective honors students must have reached their junior year. Applicants should have completed a minimum of 12 hours of psychology (PSY, PSF) courses with a GPA of 3.5 in those courses and a minimum overall GPA of 3.2. These courses may be taken at Florida Tech or transferred from another four-year university. Community college courses will not be included in the GPA calculation.

To earn the honors distinction, students must successfully complete the program with a graduating GPA of 3.5 in psychology and an overall GPA of 3.2. Only courses taken at Florida Tech will be included in this calculation. A minimum average GPA of 3.0 in PSY 4590 is required. Successful students will receive a certificate indicating completion of the requirements.

Required Courses

Note: All honors seminars may be repeated for a total of three credits. The thesis may be repeated for a total of six credits. A maximum of 17 credit hours may be applied to the psychology honors program.