Cold Case Analysis Center Internships
Selected students have the opportunity to intern with our expert faculty advisors and work directly on true cold cases in our Cold Case Analysis Center, which is the only center of its kind New York State.
Bachelor's Degree in Forensic Psychology
Why Choose Saint Rose for a Bachelor’s Degree in Forensic Psychology?
The Forensic Psychology degree at Saint Rose is relatively new, but none-the-less, this major has exploded in popularity resulting from the positive job market growth, strong integrated program design, and limited availability of the major at other institutions. Saint Rose’s location in the Capital Region of New York provides ample opportunities for discipline-specific internships, especially in the field of Forensic Psychology. The American Institute for Economic Research recently ranked Albany, NY, seventh among small metro areas in the country for providing outside-the-classroom opportunities and as a top destination for students to live and work after graduation.
The Forensic Psychology major at Saint Rose is housed in the Department of Psychology, but the major includes a number of highly integrative and multidisciplinary courses in Forensic Psychology. It closely resembles a double major in Psychology and Criminal Justice. The major requires a total of 73 credits including required core courses such as introductory and advanced Forensic Psychology, Forensic Mental Health Law, Criminal Behavior, Court Systems, Abnormal Psychology, and a Senior Seminar capstone course. Graduate training is required to practice in most areas of Forensic Psychology and, as a result, many of our students pursue a master’s degree in Counseling, a doctoral degree in Forensic Psychology or Psychology, or a doctoral degree in Law after graduation.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor & Statistics reports very high job growth (19% average) in Psychology, with some of the highest rates in applied clinical/counseling areas which comprise a significant proportion of Psychologists who practice in a criminal/legal setting or work with a criminal population or victims of crime.
Program Highlights – Forensic Psychology Major
- With 73 required credits, the education that Forensic Psychology degree students acquire has a much greater breadth and depth within the field of Forensic Psychology in comparison to most other institutions.
- Students may choose from one of three paths within the degree:
- Basic Degree – students distribute their coursework more evenly across Psychology, Criminal Justice, and Law.
- Clinical Concentration – students opt for more coursework in Psychology, providing optimal preparation for a graduate degree in clinical or counseling.
- Legal Concentration – students opt for more coursework in Law, providing optimal preparation for law school.
- William J. Hagan Research Honors Concentration. This unique Honors Concentration may be completed by qualified Forensic Psychology college students with strong interests in graduate school and/or post-graduate work involving research.
- Highly diverse faculty interests in both the Psychology and Criminal Justice Departments resulting in equally diverse course offerings.
- Wide variety of internship opportunities, including the chance for selected students to intern with our expert faculty advisors and work on true cold cases in our Cold Case Analysis Center.
Requirements and Course Descriptions
BS in Forensic Psychology
Forensic Psychology College Majors
Note: Learning Objectives are based on the American Psychological Association’s Comprehensive Learning Goals for the Undergraduate Psychology Major (from the American Psychological Association Guidelines for Undergraduate Psychology Major, version 2.0, 2013).
- Knowledge base relevant to Forensic Psychology;
- Scientific inquiry and critical thinking;
- Ethical and social responsibility in a diverse world;
- Communication;
- Professional development.
Meghan Hook
A PASSION FOR LAW EMPOWERED BY SAINT ROSE
- B.S. Forensic Psychology, 2016—The College of Saint Rose
- Doctoral student, Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University
More than a degree, Meghan found the hands-on experience and support at Saint Rose to follow her love of the law, from the College’s Criminal Justice Honor Society and nationally competitive Mock Trial Team, to financial aid guidance that helped her win both Law Merit and Law Endowed Scholarships. As she pursues her doctorate now, she’s already done justice to her education—as a member of both the American and New York State Bar Associations.