Psychology, Forensic Track (BS)

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Psychology Major and Learning Outcomes

Psychology Core

All psychology majors, regardless of track, are required to take the following courses for the BS degree:

PS - 109 Introduction to Psychology: MOT/Social Science Credits: 3 (freshman year)
CS - 105 Introduction to Computer Applications Credits: 3 (freshman year)
MA - 111 Probability and Statistics: MOT/Mathematics Credits: 3 (freshman year)
OR
an appropriate substitute (freshman year)
BI - 151 Introductory Biology I Credits: 4 (freshman-junior year; also satisfies MOT/ NS requirement for psychology majors)
OR
BI - 209 Biology: Thinking and Creativity: MOT/Natural Science Credits: 3 (freshman-junior year; also satisfies MOT/ NS requirement for psychology majors)
PS - 205 Research Design and Analysis Credits: 3 (sophomore-senior year)
PS - 206 Applied Research Design and Analysis Credits: 3 (taken the semester after completing PS 205 )
PS - 230 Cognitive Psychology Credits: 3 (junior or senior year)
PS - 240 Human Development Credits: 3 (sophomore or junior year)
PS - 265 Psychobiology Credits: 3 (sophomore-senior year)
PS - 455 Psychological Logic Credits: 3 (senior year, or completion of all prerequisites)

Forensic Courses

This track is recommended for majors who want to pursue careers within the applied field of forensic psychology.

PS - 295 Forensic Psychology Credits: 3
PS - 300 Dangerous Minds: the Psychology of Antisocial Behavior Credits: 3
PS - 365 Psychological Sleuthing Credits: 3
CJ - 109 Crime and Society: MOT/Social Science Credits: 3
OR
LG - 109 Trial by Jury Credits: 3

Two electives from the following:

For their remaining two electives, majors are urged (but not required) to select from among:

PS - 250 Social Psychology Credits: 3
PS - 260 Personality: Theory and Research Credits: 3
PS - 275 Topics in Psychology Credits: 3
PS - 290 Psychopathology Credits: 3
PS - 378 Psychology of Terror and Fear Credits: 3
PS - 381 Psychopharmacology Credits: 3
PS - 444 Mind, Medicine and Madness Credits: 3
Any two PS courses, in consultation with one’s academic advisor

Five-Year BA/MACJ degree program

Students who major in forensic psychology can earn both an undergraduate degree in forensic psychology and a Master of Arts in Criminal Justice (MCJ) in the five-year Bachelor’s to Master’s in Criminal Justice degree program. Students in their junior year majoring in forensic psychology and who have earned a cumulative GPA of 3.00 or higher, are eligible to apply for admittance in the Five-Year BA/MACJ degree program. Students begin taking graduate level courses during their senior year of undergraduate study. These three graduate courses will count both towards the completion of an undergraduate degree and a Masters of Arts in Criminal Justice degree. The graduate course descriptions offered in the MCJ program can be found in the DeSales University Graduate Catalog.