Earning a Forensic Psychology Certificate from SDSU Global Campus will help you explore criminology, psychology, and the complex relationship between crime and human behavior. You’ll also earn three PDUs per course.
About the Program
Forensic psychology examines the complex relationship between human behavior and the law. From helping judges and attorneys understand the psychological aspects of a particular case to helping police and first responders to conduct threat assessments, develop criminal profiles, and examine the mental state of perpetrators, forensic psychology is a complex field with many different applications. Now more than ever, our nation’s criminal justice system needs highly-educated, knowledgeable professionals who understand mental health.
$3,495
Estimated Cost
($699 per course)
8 Months
Min. Completion Time
Online
Course Format
In partnership with SDSU's Department of Psychology and the Homeland Security Graduate Program, SDSU Global Campus is excited to offer a Professional Certificate in Forensic Psychology that’s specifically designed for professionals who deal with criminal behavior. Our online courses will help you work with populations being served by state and federal court and correctional systems, law enforcement agencies, mental health facilities, and juvenile facilities.
SDSU’s Forensic Psychology program is authorized by SDSU’s College of Sciences, which means you’ll be able to earn 3 Professional Development Units per course.
Is This Program Right for Me?
Whether your goal is launching a new career, advancing your current one, or exploring your interest in criminology and forensics, our online courses will help you develop a deeper understanding of the fundamentals of forensic psychology.
SDSU’s Forensic Psychology Certificate program is designed for professionals at the forefront of dealing with all aspects of criminal behavior. The curriculum is applicable to students in dozens of different career fields, including:
- Social Workers
- Intelligence Officers
- First Responders
- Law Enforcement
- Correctional Officers
- Community Organizers
- Nurses and Healthcare Professionals
- Disaster-Response Humanitarian Workers
- Public Health and Public Safety Professionals
- Paralegals
- Homeland Security Professionals
- Psychologists
- Current and Future Forensic Psychologists
Because the coursework is entirely online, you’ll be able to work towards your Forensic Psychology Certificate without putting your professional life on hold. Courses are open to anyone interested, no application or prerequisites required. You can earn your certificate in as little as eight months, or take up to two years to complete the program. You’ll also be able to register for courses individually, depending on your interests and career goals.
What Can I Learn?
SDSU’s Forensic Psychology Certificate program will help you learn more about the complex relationship between crime and human behavior, while also developing a deeper understanding of the role that mental health plays in our nation’s criminal justice system.
Course topics include:
- Fundamentals of forensic psychology
- Mental health and criminal justice
- Police and correctional psychology
- Forensic assessment and report writing
- Cyberpsychology
- Expert witness courtroom and deposition testimony
- Active shooter protocol
You’ll learn about the community-oriented goals of law enforcement, and how we start building trust and social capital on both sides with the goal of generating real solutions. You’ll also learn how to boost resilience in the wake of natural disasters and other community traumas. You’ll gain critical insights into legal issues and policies relating to criminality. The forensic psychology program also examines the biological, genetic, and chemical factors involved in criminal behavior, as well as society’s role in fostering and preventing criminal behavior.
You’ll learn in virtual classrooms led by a panel of expert instructors — including licensed psychologists and the Director of Resilience, Training, and Interventions for Countering Violence, Homeland Security Projects. Through their extensive professional experience, you’ll learn how to apply the principles of forensic psychology to your current profession.
Because the program was developed in partnership with SDSU’s Department of Psychology, all courses are authorized by SDSU’s College of Sciences. This means that you’ll be able to earn three (3) Professional Development Units (PDUs) per course, which many employers look at when making decisions regarding advancement and compensation.
Career Outcomes
Labor Analysis
Forensic Psychologists — Nationwide
180
Number of Jobs from last 12 months
.2%
Projected job growth over 10 years
$96,027
Average salary
Students in our Forensic Psychology program come from many different backgrounds - including law enforcement, corrections, social work, public administration, healthcare, and psychology. With this program, you’ll be able to earn three (3) Professional Development Units per course, which may lead to higher pay and more opportunities for advancement in your current career.
Salaries can vary greatly, depending on your location, occupation, and level of experience. According to Payscale.com, forensic psychologists earn a median salary of $72,300 per year; those who accrue extensive experience can earn more than $150,000 per year.
Why Should You Choose Us?
Accessible
You can earn your forensic psychology certificate in as little as eight months, or you can take up to two years. Anyone can enroll in our forensic psychology courses, no matter what their academic experience or professional background is.
Job-Oriented
Our curriculum is continually evolving to meet the needs of today’s criminal justice professionals. You can also earn up to 3 Professional Development Units per course — 15 for the certificate — which can help you boost your résumé.
Diverse Focus
Our classes have been taken by law enforcement officers, correctional officers, social workers, first responders, and many other professionals who work in the broader field of criminal justice.
Want to Learn More?
Submit this web form and we’ll be in touch to answer all your questions and explain the next steps in the process. Or, you can reach a program recruiter by emailing recruiter.global@sdsu.edu or by calling (619) 594-7700.