2015-2016 Undergraduate Bulletin

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.

Credits required. 40-46 (or more depending on math placement)

Coordinator. Professor Darryl Wout, Psychology Department, Deputy Chair for Advising, (646.557.4652, dwout@jjay.cuny.edu@jjay.cuny.edu)

Advising resources. 
Requirement checklist
Sample Four-year Plan of Study

Prerequisite. PSY 101, which does not count toward the 40 credits required in the major. This course fulfills the College’s general education requirements in the Flexible Core: Individual and Society area. The prerequisites for the required statistics course, STA 250, are MAT 105 and/or MAT 108 (or MAT 141). 

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.

Part One. Core Courses

Required

PSY 200Cognitive Psychology

3

PSY 221Social Psychology

3

PSY 231Developmental Psychology

3

PSY 242Abnormal Psychology

3

PSY 311Research Methods in Psychology

4

PSY 370/LAW 370Psychology and the Law

3

STA 250Principles and Methods of Statistics

3

Total Credit Hours: 22

Part Two. Core Electives

Select two

PSY 320Brain and Behavior

3

PSY 324Perception

3

PSY 327Learning and Memory

3

PSY 329History of Psychology

3

PSY 352Multicultural Psychology

3

PSY 353Theories of Personality

3

Total Credit Hours: 6

Part Three. General Electives

Select two

PSY 266The Psychology of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse

3

PSY 332Psychology of Adolescence

3

PSY 333Psychology of Gender

3

PSY 336Group Dynamics

3

PSY 339Key Concepts in Psychotherapy

3

PSY 342/CSL 342Introduction to Counseling Psychology

3

PSY 345/ANT 345Culture, Psychopathology and Healing

3

PSY 347/AFR 347Psychology of Oppression

3

PSY 355Tests and Measures

3

PSY 372Psychology of Criminal Behavior

3

PSY 373Correctional Psychology

3

PSY 375Family Conflict and the Family Court

3

 

PSY 378Fieldwork in Psychology

3

or

PSY 385Supervised Undergraduate Research Experience in Psychology

3

 

PSY 482Selected Topics in Psychology

3

Total Credit Hours: 6

Part Four. Capstone Requirements

Select two

PSY 421Forensic Social and Experimental Psychology

3

PSY 425Seminar in Forensic Psychology

3

PSY 430Clinical Topics in Forensic Psychology

3

PSY 476Seminar in the Psychological Analysis of Criminal Behavior and the Criminal Justice System

3

PSY 485Advanced 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: 40-46