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Degree Overview
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A passion for making the world safer and more secure. A desire to prevent, investigate, and mitigate conflict and violence. A commitment to addressing and managing crises methodically and scientifically. These are the qualities shared by the students and faculty of the Master of Science in Forensic Behavioral Science Degree Program offered by the California School of Forensic Studies (CSFS) at Alliant International University.
Forensic Behavioral Scientists are dedicated to understanding why violence occurs, and what we can do to stop it.
Admissions
Get the information you need in order to start your Alliant experience, and see the latest admission requirements for your program.
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Degree Highlights
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Portfolio Production
Students will create a professional e-portfolio of work that will help them advance and enhance their careers from the moment they graduate.
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Quality Concentrations
The program also offers several concentrations, such as: Advanced Situational Awareness; Forensic Victimology; Criminal Behavior; Conflict Resolution & Peace Studies; and Trial Consulting so that students can translate their education into impact across a variety of specialties.
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Online Education
The program is offered online with two weekend residencies and incorporates technology to support a rich learning environment from outside of the classroom.
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Degree Information
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Faculty Spotlight: Diana Concannon
Diana M. Concannon, PsyD, is Associate Provost for Strategic Initiatives and Partnerships at Alliant International University, Dean of the California School of Forensic Psychology, and Director of the APA-Accredited California Psychology Internship Consortium. To each of these positions, she brings more than 25 years of executive leadership experience to support the development and delivery of quality, practical, and accessible education in various mental health disciplines.
She is a forensic psychologist, licensed to practice in California, New York, Utah, and Washington D.C., a Professional Certified Investigator by the American Society for Industrial Security, a Rape Escape Instructor, and a Loyola Law School-trained Mediator.
She is the author of Kidnapping: An Investigator’s Guide to Profiling and Neurocriminology: Forensic and Legal Applications, Public Policy Implications, which was just published this past September.
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“The National Academy of Sciences has concluded what many students—particularly those already working in the field—have confirmed: The knowledge they have gained through mentorship, and the expertise conferred by informed intuition, is greatly enhanced when anchored in science. As the National Academy concluded, “Legitimating practices in the forensic science disciplines must be based on established scientific knowledge, disciplines, and practices, which are best learned through formal education.” The goal of CSFS’ Master’s program in Forensic Behavioral Science is to support our students to ground their skills, expertise, and knowledge in evidence-based practices that allow rapid and effective decision-making and responses that address complex forensic challenges.”
Diana Concannon
Dean of CSFS
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Frequently Asked Questions
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What is the career outlook for graduates of the Master’s in Forensic Behavioral Science degree program?
The career outlook for graduates of the Master’s in Forensic Behavioral Science degree program is quite strong. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts a growth of 17% in the field between 2014 and 2024—thousands of new positions in that ten-year span. With the worlds of science and psychology blending more than ever, the BLS predicts that in addition to the new positions in existing fields, it cannot even account for potential new career fields that may arise in this part of the 21st century, and that their projected career outlook may even be worse than the reality. Suffice to say, this is a great time to get into the field of forensic behavioral science.
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What kind of job can I expect to get with this degree?
Graduates of the Master’s in Forensic Behavioral Science degree program can find themselves in several positions, that may seem different on the surface, but are actually deeply related in how they focus on the understanding and interpretation of human behavior. Several such positions are: sociologist, forensic psychologist, anthropologist, social worker, law enforcement, collegiate-level professor, security, emergency management, human resources, and more.
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What scholarship and financial aid options are available to me?
Private and public scholarships can help you meet the cost of your education. Alliant International University is pleased to be able to offer a significant number of institutional scholarships for many of our students. Learn more about these scholarship opportunities here. Additional Financial aid is available for those who qualify in the form of loans, grants, federal work study, and military aid. Learn more in our Financial Options Guide.
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When does the Master’s in Forensic Behavioral Science degree program start?
The Master’s in Forensic Behavioral Science degree program is offered as an 8-week term program and is open for enrollment during those enrollment periods. You can find a copy of our 8-week term academic calendar here.
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How long does it take to complete the MS in Forensic Behavioral Science program?
The Master’s in Forensic Behavioral Science degree program is a 36-credit program and takes a minimum of 1 year to complete, across 7 terms.
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Who teaches the classes?
CSFS faculty members include criminologists, forensic psychologists, law enforcement officers, security professionals, and legal professionals who are engaged in professional practice.
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What is the modality of this program?
You can earn your MS in Forensic Behavioral Science degree online and on your time, allowing you to tailor your education to your schedule.
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Program Campus Locations
The Master of Science in Forensic Behavioral Science Degree Program is offered as an online program. Explore our online programs below.
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Why Alliant
At Alliant, our mission is to prepare students for professional careers of service and leadership and promote the discovery and application of knowledge to improve the lives of people in diverse cultures and communities around the world. Our Vision is an inclusive world empowered by Alliant alumni.
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Why CSFS
The California School of Forensic Studies is dedicated to graduating rigorously educated and trained professionals who impact society, public opinion, and policy by applying science in the service of preventing, investigating, and mitigating conflict and violence.