Forensic Psychology

About this opportunity

Welcome to the School of Interdisciplinary Forensics (SIF) where internationally renowned faculty share their passion for science with their students by involving them in groundbreaking research, educating them about solutions to real-world problems, and inspiring them to promote the fair and effective administration of justice.

Drawing on the faculty's strengths in the natural sciences (anthropology, biology, chemistry, entomology, and genetics), psychological sciences (social psychology, clinical psychology, developmental psychology, and psychology and law), and information technology (cybersecurity), SIF offers Barrett Honors students the opportunity to become involved in research via a forensic science path or psychology and law path.

Forensic Science Path: The forensic science path is grounded in the natural sciences and information technology and includes (but is not limited to) research in forensic anthropology, forensic chemistry, forensic entomology, forensic genetics, and digital forensics.

Psychology and Law Path: The psychology and law path is grounded in psychological science and includes (but is not limited to) research in antisocial behavior and psychopathology, eyewitness identification, human factors and the psychology of forensic decision making, jury decision making, plea bargaining and decision making, and risk and resiliency among justice-involved youth and families.

Thesis

The thesis project is the culminating experience for Barrett honors students. It provides students the the opportunity to collaborate with faculty members to produce a novel piece of scholarship. Barrett students will interact with nationally renowned researchers on a project within their expertise through their role as the student’s thesis director or committee member.

The thesis project allows students to apply all that they have learned in their content courses, as well as their courses in methodology and statistics. The scope and form of the thesis project is at the discretion of the thesis director. There are norms within the academic field that result in most thesis projects involving an original empirical research study or analysis of existing empirical data. Barrett students defend their thesis during a presentation and meeting with their committee.

Academic Preparation

Psychology and Law Path: Barrett honors students interested in conducting a thesis as part of the psychology and law path are encouraged to complete PSY 101 (Introduction to Psychology), PSY 230 (Introduction to Statistics), PSY 290 (Research Methods), and during their junior year at least one semester of PSY 399 (Supervised research). 

Recommended Timeline

Students should begin formulating an idea about their thesis project during their sophomore year, or for transfer students early in their junior year. Typically students write the thesis over two semesters during their senior year.

Students also should explore potential faculty members who might serve as a director of their honors thesis project and as committee members. 

The New College also has several opportunities for undergraduate research to include the New College Undergraduate Inquiry and Research Experiences (NCUIRE) program and Individualized Instruction (499) opportunities. These opportunities will count for honors credit. 

Other Honors Opportunities

Barrett students can also take advantage of other research and internship opportunities. For information regarding internship opportunities check the New College Internship page.

Additionally, students are encouraged to explore Study Abroad options available to them. ASU's Global Education Office has a robust set of offerings that student's can explore. You can search those offerings here. If you are interested in short courses, hosted by New College, you can explore those offerings on the IGLE webpage.