Doctorate in Forensic Psychology Program Guide
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If you dream of working in diverse settings at the intersection of psychology and law and making a difference in the criminal justice system, consider a doctorate in forensic psychology.
If you want to work as a licensed psychologist, you must earn a doctorate. You can explore forensic psychology and other fields related to clinical psychology before choosing your specialization. Below is our essential guide that covers everything you need to know to choose a doctorate in forensic psychology program that works for your goals.
What Is a Doctorate in Forensic Psychology?
A doctorate in forensic psychology prepares you to work as a forensic psychologist or clinical psychologist. While some programs offer a doctorate in forensic psychology, you can also earn a doctor of philosophy (Ph.D.) in forensic psychology or a doctor of psychology (Psy.D.).
To ensure you qualify for state licensure, your degree program must hold current American Psychological Association (APA) accreditation.
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
90-120
Required Credits
5-7 years (full-time)
Program Length
A Ph.D. in forensic psychology is typically a specialization within a clinical psychology program. Forensic psychologists apply the principles of psychology to the legal and criminal justice systems, in settings such as correctional facilities, courtrooms, and law enforcement agencies.
The coursework focuses on two main areas: applied clinical psychology and law and justice. You can apply for diverse internships to learn skills related to future careers, including preparing court reports by conducting competency evaluations.
A Ph.D. program is more research-oriented than a Psy.D. and culminates in an exam and a dissertation based on the student’s original research.
There are no APA-accredited fully online Ph.D. programs in psychology. However, APA does accredit some hybrid programs.
Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.)
70-114
Required Credits
4-6 years (full-time)
Program Length
A Psy.D. in forensic psychology usually focuses more on clinical practice and thus has less research emphasis than a Ph.D. The program is often capped with an internship or practicum rather than a dissertation.
The curriculum includes courses such as statistics, research methods, professional ethics, intellectual and achievement assessment, personality assessment, forensic assessment, social and biological bases of behavior, and psychopharmacology.
You can find programs with some online coursework or a hybrid format, although no APA-accredited fully online Psy.D. programs exist. Not all programs offering Psy.D. degrees are APA-accredited, so it’s essential to double-check accreditation and state licensing requirements to ensure your program aligns with your career goals.
What Can You Do With a Ph.D. in Forensic Psychology?
The American Board of Forensic Psychology explains that forensic psychologists apply the “science and profession of psychology to questions and issues relating to law and the legal system.” With a Ph.D. or Psy.D. in forensic psychology, you can work in various settings to support law enforcement, victim support, or community protection.
Forensic Psychologist
As a forensic psychologist, you can use your clinical expertise to protect your community or within the legal system to support victims, law enforcement, and offenders. In these roles, you may conduct patient assessments, assist investigators, or design treatment programs. Forensic psychologists may work in private practice, mental hospitals, courts, prisons, or government agencies.
Reminder: To work as a clinical forensic psychologist, you typically must graduate from an APA-accredited doctoral program and become licensed in your state.
College Professor
As a psychology professor, you can educate the next generation of researchers and practitioners in your field. You can teach in a variety of settings, including community colleges, universities, or professional schools.
According to the BLS, as of 2024, Massachusetts, New York, Illinois, Connecticut, and Washington, D.C., have the highest concentrations of psychology professors.
How Much Can I Make With a Doctorate in Forensic Psych?
APA reports that the field of forensic psychology has grown in the past 20 years, partly due to popular TV shows. According to Payscale, the average salary for all forensic psychologists is $79,539 as of April 2025, but pay varies depending on your experience and location.
States with the highest reported salaries include California, Oregon, Rhode Island, Hawaii, and New York. New forensic psychologists with less than one year of experience make an average of $66,000 annually, while forensic psychologists with more than 20 years of experience earn an average of $122,000.
How Much Does a Doctorate in Forensic Psych Cost?
The average cost of a doctorate in forensic psychology varies by type of college and location. Earning a Ph.D. or Psy.D. from an in-state public college will typically cost less overall than earning the same degree at a private college or an out-of-state school.
Without financial aid, a doctorate in this field could cost $200,000-$300,000 after several years of study. But luckily, these programs often offer additional support to accepted students, which can significantly reduce out-of-pocket costs. You could get funding through assistantships, scholarships, student teaching, or work-study offers to help cover some or all of these expenses.
Additionally, funding for Ph.D. or Psy.D. programs in forensic psychology may be available from governments, businesses, universities, or charities. You can also apply for grants through the American Association of Forensic Psychology.
How to Get Into a Forensic Psych Doctoral Program
While admissions processes vary by institution, typical admission requirements for a Ph.D. or Psy.D. include a bachelor’s and master’s degree from an accredited institution in a related field, such as clinical or behavioral psychology or criminal justice.
While most programs require a master’s degree, there are some combined master’s and doctoral programs you can apply to with only a bachelor’s degree. The minimum undergraduate GPA you’ll need varies by program but is often 2.5 or 3.0.
For acceptance into a forensic psychology doctoral program, you’ll need:
- A personal statement
- Letters of recommendation from colleges, professors, or supervisors
- Information on research experience
- CV or resume with any professional experience
- GRE scores
Acceptance rates vary by college and the number of available spots. Psi Chi, the International Honor Society in Psychology, reports that Psy.D. programs have a higher average acceptance rate than Ph.D. programs — 40%-41% compared to 11%-15%, respectively.
How to Choose a Forensic Psychology Program
1. Identify your career goals.
Earning a doctorate is a substantial financial and time commitment. Knowing your career or educational goals before pursuing this degree is crucial to ensure you get the right degree for what you want to do.
Consider questions such as:
- Do you want to perform research or work in clinical practice?
- What areas of forensic psychology are you interested in?
- Do you prefer programs that require a dissertation, research project, or a combination of both?
- What is the ideal degree to get your dream job? Will a specific specialization make it easier to pursue your goals?
2. Check for accreditation.
To become a licensed psychologist, you must graduate from a program accredited by the American Psychological Association. Be sure to check APA accreditation before applying to the school. For other career goals, APA accreditation may not be essential. However, it’s important to only apply to schools that are institutionally accredited.
3. Connect with faculty and alumni.
Connecting with faculty is a crucial step when deciding on a doctoral program. It will allow you to discuss interests, research fields, and program expectations. It can also be key to finding a potential principal investigator (PI) whose interests align with your research or clinical interests.
Speaking to alums to hear about their experiences in the program can also help you understand the time commitment, program expectations, and available support.
4. Consider program format, length, and location.
It’s essential to understand the requirements before choosing a program. Depending on the on-campus requirements, you will also want to consider whether you need to relocate.
Both Ph.D. and Psy.D. programs may offer online courses or hybrid programs, so you can choose a program that suits your schedule. Programs may also offer synchronous or asynchronous courses, and you can find doctoral programs in both full-time and part-time formats.
5. Compare funding packages.
Many doctoral programs offer generous funding packages or scholarships. If you’re accepted into some programs, that acceptance may come with a stipend, assistantship, or other financial aid. Before applying, you can speak with an application officer to understand standard funding packages for doctoral students and scholarships or grants available from your department.
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Beyond the Doctorate
The American Psychological Association Directory only recognizes two postdoctoral certifications, one of which is board certification in Forensic Psychology by the American Board of Professional Psychology.
Once you’ve earned your doctorate in forensic psychology, you are eligible to earn this forensic psychology credential. You must also earn a state license to practice as a psychologist and professionally use the title of psychologist.
After graduation, you can pursue postdoctoral academic programs, fellowships, and residencies for professional development and to build advanced, specialized skills. Alternatively, you can teach or perform postdoctoral research.
