Program in Forensic Psychology California Baptist University

Master of Arts in Forensic Psychology at California Baptist University

The Master of Arts (MA) in Forensic Psychology program at California Baptist University provides a "psychosocial and biblical understanding" of law and psychology, police psychology, and psychopathology. The program, which is one of only a few of its kind in the country, provides an in-depth understanding of human behavior as it relates to the legal system.

Students receive the training and interdisciplinary knowledge needed to provide vital psychological services to the criminal justice system and to influence laws and policies that incorporate important aspects of human behavior.

Career Opportunities for MA in Forensic Psychology Graduates

Students obtain advanced and comprehensive knowledge about the biological nature of crime, criminal profiling, human development, psychopathology, and forensic psychology research methods. As a result, they graduate fully-equipped to build exciting and rewarding careers in this rapidly expanding field.

For example, they may pursue careers as expert witnesses, public policy shapers, or law enforcement psychologists and consultants. They may also build careers as juror selection and trial consultants, court mediators, researchers, educators, case managers, victim advocates, or administrators. Alternatively, they may choose to pursue doctoral studies in the field.

MA in Forensic Psychology Curriculum Overview

The MA in Forensic Psychology program consists of 57 units and can be completed in 2 to 4 years. Courses emphasize the theories, evaluation, adjudication, and possible treatment methods concerning adult and juvenile offenders. Additionally, the curriculum addresses the rights and treatment of crime victims.

The course of study provides an overview of forensic psychology practice and includes comprehensive information about important issues in the field. It also examines the relationship between the legal system and clinical psychology and explores how psychological theories and practice relate to the law enforcement field.

MA in Forensic Psychology Coursework

Coursework includes "Statistical Analysis I and II," "Forensic Research Methods I and II," and "Legal Research and Reasoning." Additional courses are "Advanced Criminal Law;" Psychology, Law and Ethics;" "Theories and Perspectives of Criminal Behavior;" "Criminal Investigation;" and "Criminal Profiling."

"Biological Bases of Behavior," "Advanced Social Psychology," "Advanced Psychopathology and Criminality," and "Human Growth and Development" are also part of the curriculum. Furthermore, the curriculum includes a seminar course on special topics in the field, 2 practica, and a master's thesis.

Financial Assistance for Graduate Students at California Baptist University

California Baptist University is committed to helping its students fund their educations. Therefore, it provides scholarships and offers monthly payment plans. It also participates in federal loan programs including Federal Stafford and Graduate Plus.

Accomplished Faculty Members

Accomplished faculty members form the core of the MA in Forensic Psychology program. As teachers, scholars, practitioners, and mentors, they help students gain in-depth skills and experience in the field.

For example, Gary Collins, a professor of psychology and associate dean of the School of Behavioral Sciences, has an outstanding career that encompasses various aspects of the forensic psychology field. Dr. Collins is a clinical psychologist in private practice and serves the criminal justice system as an expert witness, criminal profiler, and forensic consultant. Furthermore, he has written many articles and professional papers, and had a long career in law enforcement as a police officer and deputy sheriff.

The School of Behavioral Sciences

The School of Behavioral Sciences at California Baptist University administers the Master of Arts in Forensic Science program. It is one of the top Christian schools of its kind in the state of California.

The school provides undergraduate, graduate, and certificate programs that include rigorous instruction, take an interdisciplinary approach, and provide significant interaction between students and professors. In keeping with CBU's faith-based mission, the school also develops programs and curricula that integrate the behavioral sciences with biblical truth.

Center for the Study of Human Behavior

The School of Behavioral Sciences sponsors the interdisciplinary Center for Study of Human Behavior that supports students, professors, and researchers throughout the university. For example, graduate students have opportunities to develop and conduct their projects and participate in supervised research.

The center also includes a special collection library that focuses on methodological research, hosts a number of events, and sponsors research projects.

About California Baptist University

California Baptist University is the only institution of higher learning on the west coast associated with the California Southern Baptist Convention. It is located in Riverside, California, in the western region of the United States.

CBU is a fully-accredited university that has 100 undergraduate majors and concentrations and 30 graduate programs. It offers to more than 5,400 students a faith-based educational experience that integrates challenging educational programming with spiritual and social development.

The university is known for its commitment to academic excellence. In fact, "US News and World Report" ranks California Baptist University among the best schools in the western region.

A Beautiful Locale to Live and Learn

CBU's location in the southern California community of Riverside provides an ideal setting. Its beautiful campus features the Lancer Aquatic Center and the JoAnn Hawkins Music building, which is one of the most advanced music production and recording facilities in the nation.

The region's climate includes many warm days and the area provides a wide-range of natural attractions such as Malibu beach, national and state parks, and the San Bernardino Mountains.

• Degrees Offered
• Major Degree Levels Offered
• Master of Arts (MA)

• Degrees Awarded
• Master's Degrees 6
• Doctoral Degrees Not reported
• First Professional Degrees Not reported
• Other Advanced Degrees Not reported
• * Shows the number of degrees awarded for the last academic year that data was reported.

• Earning Your Degree
• Part-time study available? Yes
• Evening/weekend programs available? Yes
• Distance learning programs available? No
• Terminal master's degree available? Not reported

• Degree Requirements
• Master's Degrees Required and 9-month practicum
• Doctoral Degrees Not reported
• First Professional Degrees Not reported
• Other Advanced Degrees Not reported

• Acceptance Rate
• Applied27
• Accepted15
• Acceptance Rate55%
• Enrolled12
• Applying
• Application Fee - Domestic $45
• Application Fee - International $45
• Electronic applications accepted? Yes
• Applications processed on a rolling basis? Yes
• Application Deadlines
• Type Domestic International Priority Date
• Fall deadline August 1st July 1st Yes
• Winter deadline Not Reported Not Reported Not Reported
• Spring deadline December 1st November 1st Yes
• Entrance Requirements
• Master's DegreesMinnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2, minimum GPA of 3.0; three recommendations; essay; interview
• Doctoral's DegreesNot Reported
• First-Professional's DegreesNot Reported
• Other Advanced DegreesNot Reported
• International DegreesTOEFL required, 575 paper based, TOEFL iBT

• Tuition & Fees
• In-state tuition *$9,886
• Out-of-state tuition *$9,886
• International student tuitionNot Reported
• * Tuition for full-time graduate student per academic year
• Fees
• Per-academic year feesNot Reported
• Per-term feesNot Reported
• One-time feeNot Reported
• * Fees for full-time graduate students
• Financial Support
• Financial award applicants must submitCSS Profile and FAFSA
• Application deadlines for financial awardsNot Reported
• Types of financial support availableInstitutionally-sponsored Loans

• Gender
• Total Graduate Students78
• Female Percentage82%
• Male Percentage18%
• Participation
• Total Graduate Students78
• Part-time Percentage13%
• Full-time Percentage87%
• Ethnicity
• Hispanic / Latino27%
• Black / African American21%
• White / Caucasian42%
• American Indian / Alaskan Native0%
• Asian3%
• Native Hawaiian / Other Pacific Islander0%
• Two or more races3%
• Unknown4%

• Faculty Breakout
• Total Faculty28
• Full-time Percentage57%
• Part-time Percentage43%
• Female Percentage57%
• Male Percentage43%

• Existing Research
• Focus of faculty researchCriminal profiling, police psychology, post-traumatic stress disorder in law enforcement, religiosity as a protective factor in the incarcerated, media influence on perception of police
• Externally sponsored research expenditures last yearNot Reported