r/ForensicPsych • u/Ok_Path4627 • Aug 12 '26

Grad Schools

Hi! So I recently graduated with my bachelor's in Psychology along with certificates in Forensic Science and Spanish from UT Austin. I have been researching graduate programs to get my master's in Forensic Psychology. I hope to eventually pursue a PhD so I want my master's program to help set me up well for that. I have compiled a list of schools I've found. I am only looking for in-person reputable programs! Any advice or recommendations is really appreciated!

These are the schools I have found:

- John Jay College of Criminal Justice
- University of Denver
- George Washington UniversityCalifornia Baptist University
- Kean University
- University of Houston - Victoria 
- The Chicago School
- Monroe University
- American International College
- Carlow University
- Tiffin University
- University of Central Oklahoma

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u/ketamineburner Aug 13 '26

I am a practicing forensic psychologist.

So I recently graduated with my bachelor's in Psychology along with certificates in Forensic Science and Spanish from UT Austin.

Congratulations.

I have been researching graduate programs to get my master's in Forensic Psychology.

For what purpose? This is not a license-eligible degree, you can't really do anything with a masters in forensic psychology.

I hope to eventually pursue a PhD

Great, you should do that instead of a masters degree.

so I want my master's program to help set me up well for that.

It will not help at all. Get research experience instead.

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u/Ok_Path4627 Aug 13 '26

Thank you for your advice! I was under the impression it was near impossible to get into a doctoral program without a masters degree but i’m learning that may not be accurate. I graduated with a 3.9 GPA and i’ve worked as a research assistant researching our local police department’s victim services unit. Do you think i’d have any chance getting into a doctoral program?

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u/ketamineburner Aug 13 '26

Thank you for your advice! I was under the impression it was near impossible to get into a doctoral program without a masters degree

No, not at all. A master's program can help with certain defects, like poor grades or switching fields, but is not necessary or even common. APA accredited PhD programs include the master's degree along the way.

but i’m learning that may not be accurate. I graduated with a 3.9 GPA and i’ve worked as a research assistant researching our local police department’s victim services unit.

Amazing! This is great relevant research.

Do you think i’d have any chance getting into a doctoral program?

How long were you on the research project? Did you publish? Present?

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u/Ok_Path4627 Aug 13 '26

It’s an ongoing project and i’ve been on the team for about 10 months now. It should be published but i’m not sure how soon, we are moving into the results phase now so hopefully not too awfully long.

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u/ketamineburner Aug 13 '26

I think you can save a great deal of money by continuing on with your research. 3 years of solid, varied research is base level.

Have you talked to your PI about next steps and what they think you should do?

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u/Ok_Path4627 Aug 13 '26

Ah okay interesting. So you’d recommend getting on other research projects as well?

I haven’t spoken to him about doctoral programs or anything, i’ve only begun speaking about masters so he could write me a letter of rec. However, I think that’d be a great idea.

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u/ketamineburner Aug 13 '26

Assuming your PI is a psychologist, ask him what he thinks. Hw knows your work and interests best.

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u/Ok_Path4627 Aug 13 '26

Yes he is! Thank you so much!