Psychology (BA) to Forensic and Legal Psychology (MA) Accelerated Degree Program for FLP Scholars
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. Students will be able to complete both degrees in just five years, saving both time and tuition costs. 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+ (optional); 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 forensic and legal psychology relevant topic (complete the Research and Internship form);
- complete PSY 400 Internship or CJ 400 Internship at a forensic and legal psychology relevant site (complete the Research and Internship form);
- attend at least two Forensic and Legal Psychology program 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.
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:
- FLP MA Admissions Approval form
- Research and Internship form (including the research project)
- Events and Class form
- Official undergraduate transcript
- Strong, positive letter of recommendation from a faculty member in the student’s major
- Graduate Studies Application form
Program Requirements
Required Courses
In addition to the major requirements, psychology majors must complete:
| CJ 209 | The Criminal Justice System | 3 |
| CJ 305 | Criminology * | 3 |
| CJ 311 | Correctional Institutions | 3 |
| LA 302 | Criminal Litigation | 3 |
| SOC 131 | Principles of Sociology in Global Perspective * | 3 |
Required Electives
As part of their major program electives, psychology majors must complete: