Requirements

Admission Requirements - Accelerated Bachelor's/Master's (ABM) 5 year Degree

The Accelerated Bachelor's/Master of Science degree program allows exceptional high school students and undergraduate students at UND an opportunity to complete the requirements for both the bachelor's and master's degrees at an accelerated pace. High achieving high school students (GPA of at least 3.5/4.0 and an ACT score of 25 or higher) will initially be considered for "identified" status and become eligible for formal admission when they meet the same criteria that undergraduates must meet for admission. Admission is a competitive process and meeting the following minimum eligibility requirements doesn't guarantee admission.

1. Applicants must meet the School of Graduate Studies' current minimum general admission requirements for the Accelerated Bachelor's/Master's (ABM) 5 Year Degree Program as published in the graduate catalog.
2. A minimum cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) of at least 3.20 (based on A= 4.00) for all undergraduate work.
3. Completion of Introduction to Statistics (PSYC 241), Research Methods in Psychology (PSYC 303), and Advanced Research Methods (PSYC 304), with a minimum grade of B in each course.
4. Applicants who are undergraduates must have completed at least 1 credit of either Independent Research (PSYC 294) or Advanced Individual Research (PSYC 494) and must have earned a minimum grade of B for each credit.

Admission Requirements - Traditional 2-year Master of Science Degree

The applicant must meet the School of Graduate Studies’ current minimum general admission requirements as published in the graduate catalog.

1. Applicants must have a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university with a behavioral or social science major allied with psychology, e.g., psychology, criminal justice, sociology, counseling, and social work.
2. Applicants must have a cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.2 or above or a graduate degree GPA of 3.5.
3. Applicant must also submit GRE scores, with Verbal, Quantitative, and Analytic Writing scores meeting or exceeding the 30th percentile. Applicants not meeting these standards may be admitted on a provisional basis with continued enrollment contingent on successful performance in the program.
4. A personal statement discussing:
   1. academic and professional accomplishments;
   2. reasons for pursuing a graduate degree in Forensic Psychology;
   3. research interests; and
   4. any additional information the applicant would like the admission committee to know.
5. A curriculum vita summarizing relevant experiences including but not limited to academic course work and work, volunteer, and research activities.
6. Three letters of recommendation from those who can comment on the applicant’s academic abilities are also required. Consideration will be given for experience working in forensic areas or participating in research as an assistant prior to the program application.
7. Satisfy the School of Graduate Studies’ English Language Proficiency requirements as published in the graduate catalog.

Degree Requirements

Students seeking the Master of Science degree at the University of North Dakota must satisfy all general requirements set forth by the School of Graduate Studies as well as particular requirements set forth by the Forensic Psychology program.

Students in the M.S. Forensic Psychology Program at UND are required to complete 30 credits. This includes 18 credits of required coursework, 6 to 9 credits of elective courses, and either 6 credit hours of thesis credit (thesis option)* or 3 credits of Independent Study (non-thesis option). The Forensic Psychology program does not have a comprehensive examination. 

* Requirements for Matriculating in the Thesis Track

1. Overall GPA = 3.5
2. Permission of Advisor and Program Director

Note: The student’s Advisory Committee will also consider other graduate classes as appropriate electives on a case-by-case basis. Students who have a strong psychology undergraduate background may, after review by the Committee, be permitted to substitute an appropriate forensic psychology class.