Forensic Psychology, Bachelor of Arts
The Forensic Psychology major is designed for students who are interested in the relationship between psychology and the criminal justice system. The mission of the Forensic Psychology major is to enhance students’ understanding of individual behavior, in terms of its biological, cognitive, social and emotional components and their interaction, and its effects on the broader community. Students will learn to employ an empirical approach to understand human behavior. The major prepares students for a number of careers and graduate work in psychology, social work, law enforcement, or other criminal justice professions.
Learning Outcomes. Students will:
- Demonstrate knowledge of the historical and theoretical foundations of psychology, as well as key concepts, content, and research methods in the major sub-disciplines of psychology and in the field of “psychology and the law”.
- Demonstrate appropriate information literacy, including the ability to perform effective database searches.
- Demonstrate the ability to design an ethically appropriate psychological research study and analyze and interpret basic research data.
- Gather, read, synthesize and critique primary source psychological and psycho-legal literature.
- Communicate effectively through oral and written presentations and demonstrate appropriate use of APA style.
- Critically and skeptically evaluate psychological information and extend this critical thinking to one’s own work and all aspects of life-long learning.
- Demonstrate an appreciation of contextual influences on individual behavior and diversity of perspectives, including those related to race, class, gender, sexuality, disability, nationality and culture.
- Recognize professional ethics inherent in different aspects of psychology, including forensic psychology.
- Demonstrate an appreciation of how psychology relates to real-life professional and personal situations.
- Demonstrate an awareness of the scope and entry qualifications of professional and graduate programs in psychology.
Credits Required.
| Forensic Psychology Major |
43-52 |
| General Education |
42 |
| Electives |
26-35
|
| Total Credits Required for B.A. Degree |
120 |
Coordinator. Professor Silvia Mazzula, Psychology Department (212.237.8794)
Advising resources.
For advising questions, contact psychologyadvising@jjay.cuny.edu
Requirements and Curriculum checklist
Sample Four-year Plan of Study
Forensic Psychology Advising Resources.
Internship program. Students can receive practical experience in forensic psychology by enrolling in PSY 378, which offers fieldwork placements in such settings as hospitals for emotionally disturbed offenders, prisons and agencies related to the family court or otherwise offering treatment services to youthful offenders.
Baccalaureate/Master’s Program in Forensic Psychology. Qualified undergraduate students may enter the BA/MA Program and thereby graduate with both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in forensic psychology. For additional information, contact Professor Jennifer Dysart, Department of Psychology (212.484.1160, bamadirector@jjay.cuny.edu).
Additional information. Students who enrolled for the first time at the College or changed to this major in September 2011 or thereafter must complete the major in the form presented here. Students who enrolled prior to that date may choose either the form shown here or the earlier version of the major. A copy of the earlier version may be obtained in the 2010-2011 Undergraduate Bulletin.
Foundation courses
Required
Total Credit Hours: 3-6
MAT 108 or MAT 141 may not be needed depending on student's mathematics placement score.
*Advisors recommendation: PSY 101 can fulfill the Flexible Core: Individual & Society and MAT 108 or MAT 141 can fulfill the Required Core: Math & Quantitative Reasoning areas of the Gen Ed Program.
Part One. Core Courses
Required
Total Credit Hours: 22
Part Two. Core Electives
Select two
Total Credit Hours: 6
Part Three. General Electives
Select two
Total Credit Hours: 6
Part Four. Capstone Requirements
Select two
| PSY 421 | Forensic Social and Experimental Psychology | 3 |
| PSY 425 | Seminar in Forensic Psychology | 3 |
| PSY 430 | Clinical Topics in Forensic Psychology | 3 |
| PSY 476 | Seminar in the Psychological Analysis of Criminal Behavior and the Criminal Justice System | 3 |
| PSY 485 | Advanced Undergraduate Research Experience in Psychology | 3 |
Total Credit Hours: 6
Part Five. Honors Thesis in Psychology (Optional)
PSY 4XX
| Honors Thesis I | 3 |
PSY 4YY
| Honors Thesis II | 3 |
Total Credit Hours: 0-6
Total Credit Hours: 43-52