With the success of TV shows like Criminal Minds and CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, interest in forensics has never been greater – and career opportunities for forensic psychologists and criminal psychologists have never been better.

Positioned at the intersection between the law and psychology, forensic psychology includes criminal psychology, police psychology, and psychologists working with the courts and law enforcement organizations. Forensic psychologists study stalkers, multiple murderers, predators and their victims (victimology), and bring this expertise into the justice system. In addition, forensic specializations available to our students include: child abuse and neglect, juvenile court, sex offenders, neuropsychology, criminal profiling, terrorism, malingering, jury selection and many more.

The Center for Forensic Studies (CFS) at Alliant International University is pioneering the field of forensic psychology both nationally and internationally. CFS opened the world’s first doctoral program in forensic studies and now runs the world's largest program. Under the direction of Systemwide Director Dr. Eric Hickey, CFS specializes in training professionals to become well-rounded practitioners who possess broad-based knowledge of both the field of psychology and the law. The proof? An international network of successful alumni practicing a wide variety of forensic careers.

Faculty Focus

Eric Hickey, Ph.D.
Systemwide Director


Ph.D., 1985;
Brigham Young University

Books include: The Myth of a Psychiatric Crime Wave, Sex Crimes and Paraphilia, Serial Murders and Their Victims, Encyclopedia of Murder and Violent Crime, and Controversial Issues in Criminology. Research interests: Serial murderers, paraphilia, stalkers, sex offenders.