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Master of Science in Clinical Psychology Forensic Psychology courses

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Forensic Psychology coursework overview

Coursework tailored to your learning preferences

  • Capella sets the deadlines
  • Weekly online interactions
  • Learn on your time
  • Online
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Planning for your degree

  • total quarter credits: 53
  • Quarter length: 10 weeks
  • Course length: 10 weeks
  • Break: 3 weeks between quarters
Example sequence Core Specialization

Course requirements

  • Core 5 courses
  • Specialization 6 courses
Show all descriptions
PSY5002 Core Foundations of Theory and Practice for Master's Psychology Students 5 quarter credits In this course, students acquire the ability to navigate the Capella courseroom and use the resources that support academic success, including the library and writing center. Students identify and practice the academic requirements (including APA style and formatting) necessary to successfully complete the Master's degree program in their chosen specialization; review their specialization's requirements, associated professional roles and organizations, and ethics and professional standards; and articulate a professional identity based on master's-level psychology or counseling training. For MS in Psychology and MS in Clinical Psychology students only. Must be taken during the student's first quarter. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer. 5 quarter credits
PSY6095 Core Theories of Counseling and Psychotherapy 5 quarter credits This course provides an overview of foundational counseling and psychotherapy theories and research-based practice. Throughout the course, students examine various schools of therapeutic intervention; their underlying theoretical assumptions; and their historical, social, and ethical context, with an emphasis on the application of current theory in a variety of clinical populations. 5 quarter credits
RSCH7864 Specialization Course Quantitative Design and Analysis 4 quarter credits Students gain an understanding of the logic, computation, and interpretation of statistics, with an emphasis on decision-making skills in the research process and on the application and interpretation of statistical results. Students utilize the statistical program JASP to practice running and interpreting statistical analyses. 4 quarter credits
PSY6210 Core Introduction to Psychopathology 5 quarter credits In this course, students examine the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of various forms of psychopathology throughout the lifespan. Students review the etiology of psychopathology; examine theories and research of psychopathology; and explore current methods of psychological interviewing, assessment, diagnosis, and treatment. Students also discuss the politics of mental disorders, emerging diagnoses, and ethical and individual considerations associated with psychopathology. Prerequisite(s): BS in Psychology, Combined BS in Psychology/MS in Clinical Psychology option students must have Student Group BMGA. 5 quarter credits
PSY7610 Core Tests and Measurements 5 quarter credits Students investigate focuses on essential concepts, principles, applications, and social and theoretical issues of psychological testing. Students gain understanding in the construction of tests; analyze the development and use of tests in measuring aptitudes, achievement, attitudes, interests, and personality; and identify underlying theories of various tests. Students analyze the characteristics desired in psychological and educational tests, with particular emphasis on reliability and validity, and evaluate best practices and professional standards for educational and psychological testing. In addition, students assess the role of technology in delivery, administration, scoring, and interpretation of tests. 5 quarter credits
PSY6910 Specialization Course Psychology and the Law 5 quarter credits Students investigate the fundamental theoretical, empirical, and ethical bases of forensic psychology and prepares students for the advanced practical training covered in PSY6920 and PSY6930. Students develop forensic assessment methodology skills and study psychology's role in the judicial system, the differences between clinical and forensic psychological practice, and parameters of ethical practice in forensic psychology. Students also analyze the basic functions of forensic practice in civil, criminal, juvenile, and family law contexts and basic principles of testimony. Prerequisite(s): PSY6210 or PSY8220. 5 quarter credits
PSY6092 Specialization Course Counseling Skills and Procedures 5 quarter credits This course provides an introduction to the fundamental skills and core conditions associated with effective counseling practice, from development of the therapeutic alliance through termination. For MS in Clinical Psychology students only. 5 quarter credits
RSCH7860 Core Survey of Research Methods 4 quarter credits Students read critically and evaluate research in order to gain an understanding of the scientific methods of inquiry and the ethical considerations of research. Students become educated consumers and creators of research. Additionally, students use their research design skills to analyze and apply research methodologies, validity, reliability and other components of scientific research related to their field of interest. 4 quarter credits
PSY6920 Specialization Course Techniques of Forensic Practice 5 quarter credits Students gain an understanding of the mechanics of forensic psychology practice, concentrating on practical applications for skill-building in multiple areas relevant to the field. Students analyze various types of civil and criminal forensic evaluations, including fitness to stand trial, insanity defense, child custody, fitness to parent, mitigating defenses, and risk assessment. Students also evaluate malingering and develop an understanding of the guidelines for ethical practice. Prerequisite(s): PSY6910 or PSY8340. 5 quarter credits
PSY5110 Specialization Course Ethics and Individual Differences in Psychology 5 quarter credits Students analyze a range of human perspectives and factors and their influences on the ethical behavior of psychology professionals. Students evaluate and articulate such issues within the context of different settings and practice applying ethical reasoning principles and standards within their profession. Prerequisite(s): PSY5002 or PSY8002. Accelerated Master's Pathway, BS in Psychology/MS in Psychology option students must have completed PSYC3700 and PSYC4101 with a cumulative GPA of 2.8 or better. 5 quarter credits
PSY6930 Specialization Course Current Issues and Trends in Forensic Practice 5 quarter credits Students analyze current forensic psychology issues and examine the appropriate and ethical application of scientific methods to civil and criminal psychological issues. Throughout the course, students build an understanding of expert testimony, legal decision making, criminal defenses, recidivism, juvenile crime, scientific jury selection, victimology, rehabilitation of criminal offenders, justice for underserved populations, and other selected areas of interest to the psychology and legal fields. Prerequisite(s): PSY6910 or PSY8340 and PSY6920 or PSY8350. 5 quarter credits
Show all descriptions
PSY7610 Core Tests and Measurements 5 quarter credits Students investigate focuses on essential concepts, principles, applications, and social and theoretical issues of psychological testing. Students gain understanding in the construction of tests; analyze the development and use of tests in measuring aptitudes, achievement, attitudes, interests, and personality; and identify underlying theories of various tests. Students analyze the characteristics desired in psychological and educational tests, with particular emphasis on reliability and validity, and evaluate best practices and professional standards for educational and psychological testing. In addition, students assess the role of technology in delivery, administration, scoring, and interpretation of tests. 5 quarter credits
PSY6210 Core Introduction to Psychopathology 5 quarter credits In this course, students examine the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of various forms of psychopathology throughout the lifespan. Students review the etiology of psychopathology; examine theories and research of psychopathology; and explore current methods of psychological interviewing, assessment, diagnosis, and treatment. Students also discuss the politics of mental disorders, emerging diagnoses, and ethical and individual considerations associated with psychopathology. Prerequisite(s): BS in Psychology, Combined BS in Psychology/MS in Clinical Psychology option students must have Student Group BMGA. 5 quarter credits
RSCH7860 Core Survey of Research Methods 4 quarter credits Students read critically and evaluate research in order to gain an understanding of the scientific methods of inquiry and the ethical considerations of research. Students become educated consumers and creators of research. Additionally, students use their research design skills to analyze and apply research methodologies, validity, reliability and other components of scientific research related to their field of interest. 4 quarter credits
PSY6095 Core Theories of Counseling and Psychotherapy 5 quarter credits This course provides an overview of foundational counseling and psychotherapy theories and research-based practice. Throughout the course, students examine various schools of therapeutic intervention; their underlying theoretical assumptions; and their historical, social, and ethical context, with an emphasis on the application of current theory in a variety of clinical populations. 5 quarter credits
PSY5002 Core Foundations of Theory and Practice for Master's Psychology Students 5 quarter credits In this course, students acquire the ability to navigate the Capella courseroom and use the resources that support academic success, including the library and writing center. Students identify and practice the academic requirements (including APA style and formatting) necessary to successfully complete the Master's degree program in their chosen specialization; review their specialization's requirements, associated professional roles and organizations, and ethics and professional standards; and articulate a professional identity based on master's-level psychology or counseling training. For MS in Psychology and MS in Clinical Psychology students only. Must be taken during the student's first quarter. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer. 5 quarter credits
Show all descriptions
RSCH7864 Specialization Course Quantitative Design and Analysis 4 quarter credits Students gain an understanding of the logic, computation, and interpretation of statistics, with an emphasis on decision-making skills in the research process and on the application and interpretation of statistical results. Students utilize the statistical program JASP to practice running and interpreting statistical analyses. 4 quarter credits
PSY6092 Specialization Course Counseling Skills and Procedures 5 quarter credits This course provides an introduction to the fundamental skills and core conditions associated with effective counseling practice, from development of the therapeutic alliance through termination. For MS in Clinical Psychology students only. 5 quarter credits
PSY6910 Specialization Course Psychology and the Law 5 quarter credits Students investigate the fundamental theoretical, empirical, and ethical bases of forensic psychology and prepares students for the advanced practical training covered in PSY6920 and PSY6930. Students develop forensic assessment methodology skills and study psychology's role in the judicial system, the differences between clinical and forensic psychological practice, and parameters of ethical practice in forensic psychology. Students also analyze the basic functions of forensic practice in civil, criminal, juvenile, and family law contexts and basic principles of testimony. Prerequisite(s): PSY6210 or PSY8220. 5 quarter credits
PSY6920 Specialization Course Techniques of Forensic Practice 5 quarter credits Students gain an understanding of the mechanics of forensic psychology practice, concentrating on practical applications for skill-building in multiple areas relevant to the field. Students analyze various types of civil and criminal forensic evaluations, including fitness to stand trial, insanity defense, child custody, fitness to parent, mitigating defenses, and risk assessment. Students also evaluate malingering and develop an understanding of the guidelines for ethical practice. Prerequisite(s): PSY6910 or PSY8340. 5 quarter credits
PSY6930 Specialization Course Current Issues and Trends in Forensic Practice 5 quarter credits Students analyze current forensic psychology issues and examine the appropriate and ethical application of scientific methods to civil and criminal psychological issues. Throughout the course, students build an understanding of expert testimony, legal decision making, criminal defenses, recidivism, juvenile crime, scientific jury selection, victimology, rehabilitation of criminal offenders, justice for underserved populations, and other selected areas of interest to the psychology and legal fields. Prerequisite(s): PSY6910 or PSY8340 and PSY6920 or PSY8350. 5 quarter credits
PSY5110 Specialization Course Ethics and Individual Differences in Psychology 5 quarter credits Students analyze a range of human perspectives and factors and their influences on the ethical behavior of psychology professionals. Students evaluate and articulate such issues within the context of different settings and practice applying ethical reasoning principles and standards within their profession. Prerequisite(s): PSY5002 or PSY8002. Accelerated Master's Pathway, BS in Psychology/MS in Psychology option students must have completed PSYC3700 and PSYC4101 with a cumulative GPA of 2.8 or better. 5 quarter credits

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