Graduate forensic psychology program earns two national rankings
The University of Houston-Victoria’s graduate forensic psychology program recently was recognized on two lists from a national website for its affordability and academic excellence.
The national College Choice website ranked the UHV School of Arts & Sciences Master of Arts in forensic psychology second on its Most Affordable Online Master’s in Forensic Psychology Degrees list and 10th on its Best Online Master’s in Forensic Psychology Degrees list.
“UHV’s graduate forensic psychology program is an outstanding example of affordable and quality higher education,” said Jeffrey Di Leo, dean of the school. “Forensic psychology professionals occupy important roles in our justice system and society, and we want to help our students be effective, impactful leaders in those positions.”
Both lists took the cost of the degree program into account, but the list of best online degrees also considered factors such as graduates’ starting salaries, academic quality, student retention and graduation rates. The information was gathered from resources such as U.S. News & World Report and Payscale.com.
UHV was applauded for its overall student-to-faculty ratio of 18-1, which allows faculty to offer students more personal teaching, as well as the forensic psychology program’s 63-credit-hour requirement. As part of the program, students must complete a practicum and receive training supervised by licensed mental health professionals working in the forensic arena, said Paige Harris, UHV assistant professor and director of the graduate forensic psychology program.
“UHV understands that it is important to make education available to anyone seeking an opportunity to better his or her life,” Harris said. “Offering this type of affordable, quality degree is a good way to do that, and students can use the knowledge and experience they get here to better serve their communities.”
Another element of UHV’s program referenced was an online comprehensive exam students take at the end of the program that covers all of the coursework and knowledge they will need to pursue careers in forensic psychology.
One of the unique features the website cited about UHV’s forensic psychology program was how the program is designed to meet the requirements for students to take the test to become Licensed Professional Counselors and Licensed Psychological Associates immediately after graduation. For students who plan to practice outside of Texas, the program also meets the licensing requirements of most other U.S. states.
“It is part of our mission at UHV to serve the needs of our students and our community,” Harris said. “We set our students up to have the skills and knowledge they need so they can immediately seek their licenses and start their careers or pursue a doctoral program.”
For more information about the program, contact Harris at harrispb@uhv.edu or go to www.uhv.edu/arts-and-sciences/graduate-programs/forensic-psychology.
The University of Houston-Victoria, located in the heart of the Coastal Bend region since 1973 in Victoria, Texas, offers courses leading to more than 80 academic programs in the schools of Arts & Sciences; Business Administration; and Education, Health Professions & Human Development. UHV provides face-to-face classes at its Victoria campus, as well as an instructional site in Katy, Texas, and online classes that students can take from anywhere. UHV supports the American Association of State Colleges and Universities Opportunities for All initiative to increase awareness about state colleges and universities and the important role they have in providing a high-quality and accessible education to an increasingly diverse student population, as well as contributing to regional and state economic development.
