Program Requirements
This competitive program, open to first-time college students and to transfer/current students, guarantees admission into the university's forensic and legal psychology (M.A.) program to a select group of well-qualified students in psychology and criminal justice. These students, chosen by the Forensic and Legal Psychology Admissions Committee, must meet stringent acceptance and continuation requirements.
To be accepted into the program, a first-time student must have
- a minimum high school GPA of 3.3 (weighted and unweighted);
- SAT (Math & Critical Reading) score of 1170+ or ACT of 24+; and
- an essay addressing the applicant’s interest in and commitment to the field of forensic and legal psychology (500-word minimum).
To be accepted into the program, a transfer/current student must have/submit
- a cumulative GPA of 3.5+ in all previous/existing undergraduate coursework;
- an average GPA of 3.5+ in previous/existing psychology and/or criminal justice coursework; and
- an essay addressing the applicant’s interest in and commitment to the field of forensic and legal psychology (500-word minimum).
For current students, the application deadline is the end of the first semester of their junior year.
To continue in the program, a student must
- maintain a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.5;
- complete PSY 302 Research Design or CJ 304 Applied Research Methods research project on a relevant topic (complete the Research and Internship Form);
- complete PSY 400 Internship or CJ 400 Internship at a relevant site (complete the Research and Internship Form);
- attend at least two Forensic and Legal Psychology Department events (e.g., career night, seminar speaker, appreciation dinner; complete the Events and Class Form);
- attend at least one meeting of one forensic and legal psychology M.A. course (complete the Events and Class Form); and
- receive a strong, positive recommendation from a faculty member in the student’s major.
In addition to their major program requirements, criminal justice majors must complete (13 credits):
As part of their major program electives, criminal justice majors must complete (12 credits):
By January 16th of the year in which the student intends to graduate with their bachelor's degree in psychology or criminal justice, the following materials need to be submitted to the Forensic and Legal Psychology Scholars Program Coordinator: