Academics

MA Concentration in Forensic Services

Applied Sociology masters students may choose to complete a concentration in Forensic Services. Forensic Services focuses on the intersection between professionals in the criminal justice and mental health service systems. Our program provides a strong grounding in basic social science, mental health counseling, and social theory, while at the same time offering practical skills and competencies in mental health and criminal justice. This enables students to serve as effective professionals in a variety of social service environments where the problems of crime and mental illness intersect.

The program's emphasis on analysis and its interdisciplinary approach are strengthened by collaborations between the UMass Boston Department of Psychology, the Department of Sociology, the Graduate Program in Counseling, and the UMass School of Medicine Department of Psychiatry.

Applied Sociology students who wish to concentrate in Forensic Services complete all basic Sociology requirements. They earn a minimum of 36 semester credits, at least 30 of which must be in courses offered in the program (the remaining six credits for Forensic Services concentrators will be taken in Psychology and Counseling).

Students may also choose to complete a graduate certificate in Forensic Services, independent of the master’s program. Applicants must hold a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university. For complete information, including admission requirements, please refer to the College of Advancing and Professional Studies' Forensic Services Certificate webpage.

All core courses:

One of the following courses:

Forensic Services courses (this covers your substantive concentration requirement):

Two of the following (crime/law)

One of the following (health/mental health):

All of the following:

One Internship Course:

One Capstone Requirement: