The Best Colleges for Majoring in Criminal Psychology

John Jay College

• The City University of New York's John Jay College of Criminal Justice is one of the best colleges for those interested in criminal psychology, according to education-portal.com. For majors, the college offers 19 criminal justice-related programs, in addition to certificate and minor programs. John Jay College also offers far more criminal psychology programs than rival institutions. They include bachelor's degree programs in deviant behavior and forensic psychology, master's degree programs in forensic mental health counseling and forensic psychology and a doctoral degree program in forensic psychology. The two-year long forensic psychology master's program is perhaps the school's most well-known; it covers criminal psychological assessment, psychopathology, psychotherapy methods, psychology of criminal behavior, victimology, clinical profiles of violent offenders and violence and aggression.

  John Jay College
  899 10th Ave.
  New York, NY 10019-1093
  212-237-8000
  jjay.cuny.edu

The Chicago School of Professional Psychology

• Another top institution for criminal psychology majors is The Chicago School of Professional Psychology, which has campuses in Chicago, Illinois and Los Angeles, California. According to education-portal.com, the school's master's degree program in forensic psychology puts a strong emphasis on applied learning. Students must understand how to use psychology within the framework of legal/public systems, such as prisons, jails, courts and probation offices. For this reason, students are often required to participate in simulations. These can range from mock trials to mock hostage situations. The Chicago School of Professional Psychology also offers a doctoral program in clinical forensic psychology, as well as a forensic psychology certificate program, which can be complete online in as little as four months.

  The Chicago School of Professional Psychology
  325 N. Wells St.
  Chicago, IL 60654
  312-329-6600
  thechicagoschool.edu

Massachusetts School of Professional Psychology

• According to degreedirectory.org, the Massachusetts School of Professional Psychology is one of the most well-known institutions for criminal psychology in the country. The school's Master of Arts in Forensic & Counseling Psychology program is rewarding and intensive, requiring at least 960 hours of field work, in addition to 60 course credits. The program is designed to teach students how to apply psychological techniques and principles to criminal and other legal issues. The Massachusetts School of Professional Psychology also offers doctoral degree programs in clinical and school psychology.

  Massachusetts School of Professional Psychology
  221 Rivermoor St.
  Boston, MA 02132
  617-327-6777 / 617-323-6662
  mspp.edu