Forensic and Legal Psychology M.A. Admissions Requirements
In making decisions for admission, the Forensic and Legal Psychology faculty take a holistic approach to application review.
Application Deadlines:
Fall enrollment only
| Date | Milestone | Notes |
| October 15 | Application Opens | Start your application here. Be sure to monitor your email for updates about upcoming webinars, information sessions, application deadlines, and other important communications regarding your application. If you have questions about the application process or the program, you can schedule an appointment with a member of the Graduate Admissions team here. |
| February 1 | Priority Application Deadline | Applicants must apply by this date to be considered for any available FLP Scholarships. Details on annual scholarship availability will be communicated to students with open applications before this deadline. |
| 4–6 Weeks After Application | Priority Admissions Decision Release | Applicants will receive an admissions decision within 4-6 weeks of submitting a complete application. |
| Mid- to Late March | Scholarship Decisions Released | Scholarship recipients will be notified and required to submit their enrollment deposit and register for courses within 14 days. Any unclaimed awards will be offered to the next eligible applicant. |
| April 1 | Final Application Deadline | Following the February 1 priority deadline, admissions will continue on a rolling basis through April 1. |
| April 15 | Final Decision Release | All remaining admissions decisions will be released by April 15, marking the end of the rolling admissions cycle. |
Application Requirements:
In addition to meeting the university wide requirements for graduate admission, applicants must submit:
- Graduate Application
- Professional résumé
- Official transcripts of all postsecondary education including any transfer credits, if applicable. You may upload your transcripts directly into the application, or mail to 2807 N. Glebe Road, Arlington, VA 22207 or have your school send it directly to MU via email at
- Two professional recommendations using the official recommendation form provided by the Office of Graduate Enrollment Services located in the application. At least one reference must be academic (unless the applicant has been out of school for 5 years, then an employer/supervisor will suffice). One of the two must be able to thoroughly assess the applicant’s writing ability.
- Writing requirements:
- Personal statement: In no more than one page, address the following: In no more than one page, describe your interest in Marymount University’s M.A. in Forensic and Legal Psychology program and your career goals. We encourage you to explain why Marymount is the right fit for your interests, how the program aligns with your professional aspirations, and how it will help prepare you for your intended career path.
- Writing sample: This can be either an academic paper or a professional work product (at least 2-3 pages minimum; no requirement regarding APA vs. MLA).
Intelligence Studies Concentration Admission Requirements: Admitted forensic and legal psychology students, who are interested in completing the intelligence studies concentration, must meet the following requirements (after at least one semester in the program):
- Declare their intent to complete the concentration by the spring semester of their first year in the program
- Complete a minimum of nine (9) FLP credits per semester of their first year in the program
- Complete FLP 570 with a B or higher
- Have a minimum cumulative GPA 3.0 or advisor approval
Once these criteria are met, students will meet with their academic advisor to complete a Change of Program form in order to formally enter the Intelligence Studies Concentration.
Forensic and Legal Psychology Dual Degree/Counseling with Clinical Mental Health Specialization (M.A./M.A.) Admission Requirements:
To be admitted to this program, students are admitted to one program and must meet the application requirements for each program’s admissions requirements. Students who are admitted from the Forensic and Legal Psychology program can begin classes in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program only after completing 18 Forensic and Legal Psychology program credits and must plan to begin classes in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program in the fall semester immediately following being accepted into the program. Student who are admitted from the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program can begin classes in the Forensic and Legal Psychology program only after completing 40 Clinical Mental Health Counseling program credits.
Clinical Mental Health Counseling Admissions Requirements
Additional Requirements for International Students:
For university coursework completed outside the U.S., an official course-by-course evaluation of your transcript is required from an evaluation agency with NACES membership such as World Education Services, Inc. or Educational Credentials Evaluators.
Students for whom English is a second language must submit a recent official score from the TOEFL of 96, IELTS of 6.5, or PTE Academic exam of 58, or documentation of program completion at one of Marymount University’s language partners.
For more information about International Admissions Guidelines, please click here.
Please note: we do not admit students via conditional admission for forensic and legal psychology.
