Forensic Psychology, B.S.

What You’ll Learn 

Psychology is the scientific study of the mind and human behavior. In forensic psychology, the insights and tools of psychology are applied in the realm of criminal justice, including everything from the psychological evaluation of individual defendants to the study of criminal behavior more broadly. 

In Vermont State’s Forensic Psychology bachelor’s degree program, you’ll start with the same courses required for the major in psychology and gain a broad understanding of foundational concepts in the discipline.  

Then, you’ll choose several options from a set of courses focused specifically on the forensic setting, including Police Psychology, Criminal Behavior, and Psychology & Law, that will build your knowledge in this sub-discipline.  

In your final year, you’ll have the option to complete an internship for real-world experience in the field or an independent project to build advanced research skills in preparation for further study.  

Outside the Classroom, In the Community 

In the final year of the program, you’ll apply what you are learning outside the classroom through either an internship or an independent research project. Faculty will work closely with you to tailor your senior experience to your interests and future goals. 

Past internship placements have included Vermont Police Departments, the Vermont Department of Corrections, law offices, and the Rutland County State’s Attorney’s Office, among others. 

Students have completed research projects examining rape culture on campus, recidivism in the criminal justice system, and topics related to addiction. 

Special Facilities

We have a learning lab space that we are currently outfitting with equipment to collect physiological data such as heart rate, electroencephalograms, etc. to expand the research possibilities available to you. This lab also includes a virtual reality setup to experiment with emerging uses of this technology in the field of forensics.