Psychology, B.A., Forensic Psychology Concentration

The Forensic Psychology concentration challenges students to apply their research skills, psychological knowledge, and critical thinking abilities to a variety of issues facing the intersection of psychology and the legal system. This concentration helps prepare students for careers within the criminal justice field, in areas such as forensic mental health counseling, assessment of criminal populations, and psychological assistance with criminal investigations. Students wishing to become forensic psychologists would need to continue to graduate-level study in forensic psychology, and this concentration provides the ideal curriculum for this pursuit.

Requirements for Psychology Majors

Psychology majors must complete a minimum of 21 credits in the Department at Westfield State University.

Required Courses - 12 Credits

PSYC 0101 - Introduction to Psychology Credits: 3
PSYC 0219 - Research Methods in Psychology I Credits: 3
or COMM 0320 - Foundations of Communication Research  Credits: 3

or CRJU 0231 - Research Methods in Criminal Justice  Credits: 3

or SOCW 0204 - Introduction to Research Methods in Social Work  Credits: 3
PSYC 0308 - Statistics for Psychologists Credits: 3
PSYC 0319 - Research Methods in Psychology II Credits: 3

Content Courses - 18 Credits

Select the number of courses indicated below from each of the 4 categories.

Basic Processes - choose 2
PSYC 0215 - Adaptation and Animal Behavior Credits: 3
PSYC 0306 - Learning Credits: 3
PSYC 0312 - Behavioral Neuroscience Credits: 3
PSYC 0341 - Cognitive Psychology Credits: 3
PSYC 0359 - Sensation and Perception Credits: 3
Individual and Social Systems - choose 1
PSYC 0201 - Theories of Personality Credits: 3
PSYC 0304 - Social Psychology Credits: 3
PSYC 0336 - Psychology of the Family Credits: 3
Development - choose 1
PSYC 0202 - Child Development Credits: 3
PSYC 0203 - Adolescent Development Credits: 3
PSYC 0208 - Adult Development and Aging Credits: 3
Applied - choose 2
PSYC 0200 - Industrial and Organizational Psychology Credits: 3
PSYC 0206 - Educational Psychology Credits: 3
PSYC 0303 - Abnormal Psychology Credits: 3
PSYC 0305 - Forensic Psychology Credits: 3
PSYC 0311 - Health Psychology Credits: 3
PSYC 0317 - Applied Behavior Analysis Credits: 3
PSYC 0318 - Psychology of Interpersonal Relations and Communications Credits: 3
PSYC 0320 - Psychometrics: Psychological Tests and Measurements Credits: 3
PSYC 0322 - Theories of Counseling Credits: 3

Capstone Experience - 3 Credits

Pre-requisites: All capstone experiences (CE) require the student to be a senior Psychology major. Some CEs may have additional pre-requisites. Choose one of the following options:

PSYC 0333 - Practicum in Psychology Credits: 6
PSYC 0351 - Emotion Credits: 3
PSYC 0364 - Capstone Experience: Psychopharmacology Credits: 3
PSYC 0367 - Capstone Experience: Advanced Developmental Science Credits: 3
PSYC 0369 - Capstone Experience: Psychology of Film Credits: 3
PSYC 0371 - Capstone Experience: Developmental Disabilities Credits: 3
PSYC 0372 - Capstone Experience: Behaviorism in Contemporary Society Credits: 3
PSYC 0374 - Capstone Experience: Health of Vulnerable Populations Credits: 3
PSYC 0376 - Capstone Experience: Psychology of Depression Credits: 3
PSYC 0378 - Capstone Experience: Ethics in Psychology Credits: 3
PSYC 0380 - Capstone Experience: Positive Psychology Credits: 3
PSYC 0382 - Capstone Experience: Psychological Assessment and Program Evaluation Credits: 3
PSYC 0384 - Capstone Experience: Psychology of Crime Lab Credits: 3
PSYC 0386 - Capstone Experience: ABA Research Design and Ethics Credits: 3
PSYC 0396 - Capstone Experience: Independent Study Credits: 3-6
Honors Thesis in Psychology (as part of the University Honors program)

Other CE offerings may be available in any given semester. Please see your academic advisor for details.

Note: If receiving 6 credits for PSYC 0333, 0396, 0397, or Honors Thesis, 3 credits may apply to the capstone requirement and 3 may apply to Psychology major electives.

Electives in Psychology - 6 credits

Students must take two 200- or 300-level psychology courses with advisement.

Department Assessment Post-Test

PSYC 0395 - Department Internal Evaluation: Post-Test Credits: 0

Lab Science - 4 Credits

BIOL 0104 - Human Biology Credits: 4
BIOL 0106 - Practical Biology for the World Today Credits: 4
BIOL 0237 - Human Anatomy and Physiology I Credits: 4
Students may substitute with department approval.

Forensic Psychology Concentration

Required (12 credit hours)
PSYC 0305 - Forensic Psychology Credits: 3
CRJU 0101 - Introduction to Criminal Justice Credits: 3
CRJU 0121 - Theories of Crime Credits: 3
Forensic Capstone Experience (one senior capstone experience related to Forensic Psychology such as: PSYC 0333 , PSYC 0384 , or PSYC 0396 )
Remaining Credits (6 credit hours)

Students must choose two courses from the following:
PSYC 0215 - Adaptation and Animal Behavior Credits: 3
PSYC 0303 - Abnormal Psychology Credits: 3
PSYC 0304 - Social Psychology Credits: 3
PSYC 0316 - Psychology of Human Sexuality Credits: 3
PSYC 0320 - Psychometrics: Psychological Tests and Measurements Credits: 3
CRJU 0216 - Deviance and Culture Credits: 3
or SOCI 0216 - Deviance and Culture Credits: 3
Up to 3 additional credits of approved Forensic Psychology senior capstone experience

Additional Graduation Requirements

All students must meet the University Graduation Requirements and complete a general education or common core of studies, distributed among the different academic areas as detailed in General Education: WISE or Common Core .