Online Criminal Psychology Degrees

Kickstart or transform your career with our online criminal psychology degrees from world-class universities. Earn your degree at your own pace from anywhere in the world.

Understand the mind behind criminal behaviour with an online criminal psychology degree

Explore the psychological factors that drive criminal behaviour with a fully online criminal psychology degree. Learn how cognitive, emotional, and social processes influence criminal acts — and how psychology is used to investigate, understand, and prevent them. Study flexibly from anywhere and prepare for a career at the intersection of psychology and criminal justice.

Why choose an online criminal psychology degree?

Learn on your own schedule

Online criminal psychology degrees offer flexible study options, making it easier to balance your education with work and personal responsibilities. Access course materials anytime, from anywhere in the world.

Develop focused expertise

Gain a deep understanding of the psychological theories and research behind criminal behaviour, including profiling, risk assessment, and offender rehabilitation.

Take your first step into a growing field

Graduates go on to roles in criminal justice, offender support, youth work, mental health services, or pursue further study toward careers in forensic psychology, criminology, or law enforcement.

What you’ll learn with an online criminal psychology degree

Build the knowledge and practical skills to apply psychological insight in criminal contexts:

Criminal behaviour and psychology

Explore why individuals commit crimes and how different psychological models — cognitive, behavioural, biological, and social — explain offending.

Victim and offender profiling

Learn how psychological principles are used to understand criminal motives and behaviours, assess risk, and support law enforcement investigations.

Mental health and crime

Study the relationship between mental illness and criminal activity, and learn how to support offenders with complex psychological needs.

Legal and ethical considerations

Examine the ethical frameworks and legal systems that shape psychological practice in criminal settings.

Research and data analysis

Develop your ability to critically evaluate research, design studies, and interpret psychological data relevant to criminal behaviour.

FAQs

Graduates pursue careers in roles such as criminal justice liaison, offender support worker, behavioural analyst assistant, youth justice officer, or mental health support in correctional settings. Many continue on to postgraduate study or training to become forensic psychologists or criminologists.

Bachelor’s degrees typically take 3 to 4 years. Master's degrees take around 1 to 2 years. Many programmes offer part-time and flexible options to suit your schedule.

Tuition fees vary by university and programme. Online degrees are often more affordable than on-campus options. With FutureLearn, you can find online criminal psychology degrees from leading universities at competitive prices.

Explore related subject areas

Browse similar fields of study that align with your interests. These related subjects can expand your options or complement your chosen degree path.

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