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Criminal Psychology Courses

Criminal psychology courses can help you learn criminal behavior analysis, psychological profiling, investigative techniques, and the impact of mental health on criminality. You can build skills in understanding offender motivations, assessing risk factors, and applying psychological theories to real-life cases.

Popular Criminal Psychology Courses and Certifications


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  • N

    Nanyang Technological University, Singapore

    Introduction to Forensic Science

    Skills you'll gain: Criminal Investigation and Forensics, Analytical Testing, Chemistry, Investigation, Biochemistry, Laboratory Testing, Pharmacology, Science and Research, Laboratory Procedures, Molecular Biology

    4.9 stars, 2.9K reviews, Mixed, Course, 1 - 3 Months

    ★ 4.9 (2.9K) · Mixed · Course · 1 - 3 Months

    Category: Preview
    Preview
  • Y

    Yale University

    Introduction to Psychology

    Skills you'll gain: Psychology, Mental Health Diseases and Disorders, Child Development, Human Development, Human Learning, Psychological Evaluations, Psychotherapy, Social Sciences, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Learning Theory, Scientific Methods, Critical Thinking, Research, Problem Solving

    4.9 stars, 33K reviews, Beginner, Course, 1 - 3 Months

    ★ 4.9 (33K) · Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months

    Status: Trending right now
    Trending right now
    Category: Preview
    Preview
  • A

    American Psychological Association

    Psychology of Disorders Related to Trauma, Anxiety, & Stress

    Skills you'll gain: Stress Management, Resilience, Mental Health Diseases and Disorders, Mental Health, Clinical Psychology, Psychiatry, Mental and Behavioral Health Specialties, Physiology, Trauma Care, Mental Health Therapies, Psychology, Psychological Evaluations, Psychotherapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Behavioral Health, Cultural Diversity, Patient Evaluation, Health Assessment, Health And Wellness Coaching, Patient Treatment

    4.8 stars, 293 reviews, Beginner, Specialization, 3 - 6 Months

    ★ 4.8 (293) · Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

    Status: Free trial
    Free trial
  • U

    University of Cambridge

    The science of mind and decision making

    Skills you'll gain: Childhood Education and Development, Human Learning, Child Development, Psychology, Empathy & Emotional Intelligence, Sensory Systems Analysis, Teaching, Decision Making, Learning Theory, Instructional Strategies, K-12 pedagogy, Pedagogy, Learning Strategies, Developmental Disabilities, Empathy, Neurology, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Electrophysiology, Human Development, Decision Intelligence

    4.6 stars, 197 reviews, Beginner, Specialization, 3 - 6 Months

    ★ 4.6 (197) · Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

    Status: Free trial
    Free trial
  • W

    Wesleyan University

    Abnormal Psychology

    Skills you'll gain: Motivational Interviewing, Psychological Evaluations, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Mental Health Diseases and Disorders, Mental Health Therapies, Behavioral Health, Mental and Behavioral Health, Psychiatry, Psychotherapy, Clinical Psychology, Behavior Management, Psychosocial Assessments, Cultural Responsiveness, Mental Health, Diversity Awareness, Behavioral Management, Health Promotion, Psychology, Experimentation, Goal Setting

    4.8 stars, 768 reviews, Beginner, Specialization, 3 - 6 Months

    ★ 4.8 (768) · Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

    Status: Free trial
    Free trial

What brings you to Coursera today?

  • A

    American Psychological Association

    Psychology of Substance Use, Depressive Disorders, & Trauma

    Skills you'll gain: Mental Health Diseases and Disorders, Substance Abuse, Clinical Psychology, Mental Health Therapies, Mental and Behavioral Health, Psychiatry, Trauma Care, Mental Health, Substance Abuse Counseling, Psychology, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Behavioral Health, Pharmacology, Diagnostic Tests, Psychological Evaluations, Neurology, Cultural Diversity, Patient Treatment, Epidemiology, Patient Evaluation

    4.8 stars, 191 reviews, Beginner, Specialization, 3 - 6 Months

    ★ 4.8 (191) · Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

    Status: Free trial
    Free trial
  • A

    American Psychological Association

    Psychology of Anxiety, Mood, Substance Use, and Addictive Behaviors

    Skills you'll gain: Substance Abuse, Mental Health Diseases and Disorders, Clinical Psychology, Mental and Behavioral Health, Mental Health Therapies, Psychiatry, Psychological Evaluations, Mental Health, Substance Abuse Counseling, Psychology, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Psychiatric Assessments, Patient Evaluation, Behavioral Health, Psychotherapy, Culture, Cultural Sensitivity, Epidemiology, Pharmacology, Psychosocial Assessments

    4.8 stars, 359 reviews, Beginner, Specialization, 3 - 6 Months

    ★ 4.8 (359) · Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

    Status: Free trial
    Free trial
  • M

    Macquarie University

    Cyber Security: Essentials for Forensics

    Skills you'll gain: Mobile Security, Digital Forensics, Criminal Investigation and Forensics, Cyber Threat Intelligence, Cyber Security Strategy, Investigation, Intrusion Detection and Prevention, Cyber Attacks, Cybersecurity, Mobile Development, Model Training, Cyber Security Policies, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML), Threat Modeling, Data Security, Cyber Governance, Machine Learning Methods, Application Security, iOS Development, Digital Analysis

    4.5 stars, 57 reviews, Intermediate, Specialization, 3 - 6 Months

    ★ 4.5 (57) · Intermediate · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

    Status: Free trial
    Free trial
  • O

    O.P. Jindal Global University

    Psychology of Personality

    Skills you'll gain: Psychology, Psychological Evaluations, Human Learning, Human Development, Learning Theory, Psychotherapy, Psychosocial Assessments, Behavior Management, Sociology, Culture, Industrial and Organizational Psychology, Clinical Psychology, Research, Personal Development, Mental Health, Research Methodologies, Mental and Behavioral Health, Critical Thinking, Problem Solving, Critical Thinking and Problem Solving

    Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months

    Category: New
    New
    Category: Preview
    Preview
    Category: Build toward a degree
    Build toward a degree
  • W

    Wesleyan University

    Social Psychology

    Skills you'll gain: Social Sciences, Psychology, Persuasive Communication, Social Justice, Empathy & Emotional Intelligence, Behavior Management, Conflict Management, Research, Diversity Awareness

    4.7 stars, 5.2K reviews, Beginner, Course, 1 - 3 Months

    ★ 4.7 (5.2K) · Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months

    Status: Trending right now
    Trending right now
    Category: Preview
    Preview
  • W

    Wesleyan University

    Introduction to Abnormal Psychology

    Skills you'll gain: Psychological Evaluations, Mental Health Diseases and Disorders, Clinical Psychology, Psychosocial Assessments, Psychiatry, Cultural Responsiveness, Diversity Awareness, Psychotherapy, Mental Health, Psychology, Mental Health Therapies, Interpersonal Communications, Clinical Assessment, Social Determinants Of Health

    4.9 stars, 510 reviews, Beginner, Course, 1 - 3 Months

    ★ 4.9 (510) · Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months

    Status: Free trial
    Free trial
  • C

    Case Western Reserve University

    Introduction to International Criminal Law

    Skills you'll gain: Trial Preparation, Court Systems, Legal Proceedings, International Relations, Legal Strategy, Diplomacy, Law, Regulation, and Compliance, Public Safety and National Security, World History, Case Studies

    4.8 stars, 4K reviews, Mixed, Course, 1 - 3 Months

    ★ 4.8 (4K) · Mixed · Course · 1 - 3 Months

    Category: Preview
    Preview

What brings you to Coursera today?

1234…215

Best free Criminal Psychology courses

High-quality free Criminal Psychology courses you can start today.

  1. 1
    Introduction to Forensic Science
    Nanyang Technological University, SingaporeMixed1 - 3 Months4.9(2,851)Free
  2. 2
    Introduction to Psychology
    Yale UniversityBeginner1 - 3 Months4.9(32,689)Free
  3. 3
    Social Psychology
    Wesleyan UniversityBeginner1 - 3 Months4.7(5,173)Free

Best Criminal Psychology courses from American Psychological Association

Top-rated Criminal Psychology courses offered by American Psychological Association on Coursera.

  1. 1
    Psychology of Disorders Related to Trauma, Anxiety, & Stress
    American Psychological AssociationBeginner3 - 6 Months4.8(293)American Psychological Association
  2. 2
    Psychology of Substance Use, Depressive Disorders, & Trauma
    American Psychological AssociationBeginner3 - 6 Months4.8(191)American Psychological Association
  3. 3
    Psychology of Anxiety, Mood, Substance Use, and Addictive Behaviors
    American Psychological AssociationBeginner3 - 6 Months4.8(359)American Psychological Association

Best Criminal Psychology certificate programs

Earn a certificate in Criminal Psychology from top universities and companies.

  1. 1
    The science of mind and decision making
    University of CambridgeBeginner3 - 6 Months4.6(197)Specialization
  2. 2
    Abnormal Psychology
    Wesleyan UniversityBeginner3 - 6 Months4.8(768)Specialization
  3. 3
    Cyber Security: Essentials for Forensics
    Macquarie UniversityIntermediate3 - 6 Months4.5(57)Specialization

Best Criminal Psychology courses for beginners

Top-rated beginner-friendly Criminal Psychology courses with no prerequisites.

  1. 1
    Psychology of Personality
    O.P. Jindal Global UniversityBeginner1 - 3 MonthsNo prerequisites
  2. 2
    Introduction to Abnormal Psychology
    Wesleyan UniversityBeginner1 - 3 Months4.9(510)No prerequisites

Frequently Asked Questions about Criminal Psychology

Criminal psychology is the study of the thoughts, intentions, and behaviors of individuals involved in criminal activities. This field is crucial as it helps law enforcement agencies understand the psychological factors that contribute to criminal behavior, enabling them to develop effective strategies for prevention and intervention. By exploring the motivations behind crimes, criminal psychology plays a vital role in creating safer communities and improving the justice system.‎

A variety of career paths are available in criminal psychology. Professionals can work as criminal profilers, forensic psychologists, or research analysts in criminal behavior. Other roles include working with law enforcement agencies, providing expert testimony in court, or engaging in rehabilitation programs for offenders. Additionally, positions in academia or research institutions are also viable options for those interested in teaching or conducting studies in this field.‎

To succeed in criminal psychology, you will need a blend of analytical and interpersonal skills. Key skills include critical thinking, research proficiency, and an understanding of psychological theories. Strong communication skills are essential for conveying complex ideas clearly, whether in writing or verbally. Additionally, familiarity with statistical methods and data analysis can enhance your ability to interpret research findings and apply them to real-world scenarios.‎

There are several online courses available that can help you explore criminal psychology. Some notable options include the Abnormal Psychology Specialization and the Introduction to Abnormal Psychology course. These programs cover essential psychological concepts and their applications in understanding criminal behavior, making them valuable resources for anyone interested in this field.‎

Yes. You can start learning criminal psychology on Coursera for free in two ways:

  1. Preview the first module of many criminal psychology courses at no cost. This includes video lessons, readings, graded assignments, and Coursera Coach (where available).
  2. Start a 7-day free trial for Specializations or Coursera Plus. This gives you full access to all course content across eligible programs within the timeframe of your trial.

If you want to keep learning, earn a certificate in criminal psychology, or unlock full course access after the preview or trial, you can upgrade or apply for financial aid.‎

Learning criminal psychology can be approached through various methods. Start by enrolling in introductory courses to build a solid foundation. Reading books and articles on criminal behavior and psychology can also enhance your understanding. Engaging in discussions with professionals in the field or joining online forums can provide valuable insights. Finally, consider practical experiences, such as internships or volunteer opportunities, to apply your knowledge in real-world settings.‎

Criminal psychology courses typically cover a range of topics, including the psychological theories of crime, criminal behavior analysis, the role of mental health in criminality, and the legal implications of psychological assessments. Other subjects may include victimology, the psychology of interrogation, and the effectiveness of rehabilitation programs. These topics provide a comprehensive understanding of the interplay between psychology and the criminal justice system.‎

For training and upskilling employees in criminal psychology, courses like the Psychology of Anxiety, Mood, Substance Use, and Addictive Behaviors Specialization can be particularly beneficial. These programs equip professionals with the knowledge to understand various psychological issues that may intersect with criminal behavior, enhancing their ability to address complex cases in the workplace.‎

This FAQ content has been made available for informational purposes only. Learners are advised to conduct additional research to ensure that courses and other credentials pursued meet their personal, professional, and financial goals.

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