M.A. in Human Services-Forensic Behavioral Health

Nationally approved master’s enhances forensic mental health knowledge

With CSP Global’s Master of Arts in Human Services – Forensic Behavioral Health, you’ll focus on forensic disciplines and criminal justice issues by studying evidence-based practices and therapeutic strategies. Improve the lives of individuals in the criminal justice/legal system – and families – through cultural, theoretical, ethical and practical considerations.

You’ll complete your forensic mental health degree online and graduate with proven intervention strategies to create solutions to client cases.

Share knowledge and experiences with faculty who are industry experts and your cohort as you study psychopathology, violence, risk assessment and special populations.

Gain comprehensive knowledge to become a courtroom advocate through a convenient graduate program that is approved by the American Institute for the Advancement of Forensic Studies (AIAFS).

Career Outlook

With your forensic behavioral health degree, you can pursue careers at the intersections of criminal justice and human services. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, careers in community and social services are projected to grow 12% from 2019 to 2029, much faster than the average for all occupations.¹

CAREER SPOTLIGHT: PROBATION OFFICER OR CORRECTIONAL TREATMENT SPECIALIST

$54,290/year

Help rehabilitate law offenders. In these roles, you’ll interview offenders and their friends and relatives to evaluate progress, provide drug testing and counseling, and help offenders with job training and other needs.²

CAREER SPOTLIGHT: JUVENILE JUSTICE SPECIALIST

$51,729/year

Guide youth as they navigate the legal system. You’ll offer basic counseling and support, create treatment plans, and help them get ready for court dates.³

Other positions you could qualify for:

• Child welfare and protection worker
• Children’s therapeutic support service worker
• Correctional caseworker
• Crisis intervention specialist
• Detoxification specialist
• Domestic violence counselor
• Geriatric care manager
• Group home manager
• Psychiatric rehabilitation specialist

Course Spotlight: HSV 590 Forensic Behavioral Health Law for the Human Service Professional

This course will examine the relationship between behavioral health and the legal system and discuss the various roles that human service professionals can play in the forensic behavioral health law arena. Topics include competency, expert witness testimony, courtroom testimony protocols, and the insanity defense. Case studies and scenarios will be used to enhance the student’s understanding of the law as it relates to the mentally ill. Issues involving mentally ill offenders and developmentally impaired persons who commit crimes be addressed. The stages of a criminal case and exploration of therapeutic courts (i.e., drug, DUI, and mental health) will be included.

Course Spotlight: HSV 566 Risk Assessment in Human Services

This course introduces students to different types of risk assessments (e.g., actuarial and structured professional judgment) used with adolescents and adults in the human services arena. Topics will include an in-depth exploration of risk approximation as it relates to self-harm, future violence, familial violence, sexual predation, and trauma exposure. Students will become familiar with the intended use, potential for misuse, and limitations accompanying varied risk assessment tools and methods across different settings. Students will explore the theoretical and research findings that guide the development, selection, and implementation of risk assessment procedures that are relevant to the specific referral question and case. Students will be equipped to select, rate, and utilize information gathered from risk assessment instruments in the field of human services.

Frequently Asked Questions