Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Forensic Cyberpsychology
Advance the science of human behavior in cybersecurity and cybercrime.
At a Glance
- Delivery: Fully online
- Program focus: Research-intensive doctoral study in forensic cyberpsychology and behavioral dimensions of cybercrime
- Culminating requirement: Doctoral dissertation and oral defense evaluated by external subject-matter experts
- Designed for: Experienced professionals and emerging scholars with an appropriate graduate degree
- Interdisciplinary scope: Psychology, criminology, forensics, cybersecurity, law, policy, and technology studies
Program Overview
Forensic Cyberpsychology examines the psychological processes, behaviors, and motivations of individuals and groups involved in criminal, deviant, or harmful activity within online environments. The PhD in Forensic Cyberpsychology is a unique online program among the first at the doctoral level worldwide, preparing students to conduct advanced, original research that supports cyber defense, reduces online harm, and improves security outcomes across the public and private sectors.
This program attracts scholars from psychology, cybersecurity, computer science, forensics, and social sciences. Graduates' research is increasingly relevant to public safety, national security, infrastructure protection, and organizational cyber resilience.
Understanding Forensic Cyberpsychology
Cybercrime includes offenses against devices and networks, as well as traditional crimes enabled by technology. Cyberpsychology studies how technology influences human behavior online. Forensic Cyberpsychology focuses on criminal behavior in cyber environments and the human factors shaping these threats.
Strategic law enforcement assessments highlight the importance of forensic cyberpsychology in fighting cybercrime. Professor Mary Aiken helped define the emerging field of Forensic Cyberpsychology in Europol’s 2014 Internet Organised Crime Threat Assessment (IOCTA) report, emphasizing the importance of understanding how criminal actors present, operate, and adapt within digital environments.
Key Research Areas
Research in Forensic Cyberpsychology emphasizes the human factors behind cybersecurity threats, cyber incidents, and cybercrime, including:
- Cyber offender and victim profiling, risk factors, vulnerabilities, and protective factors
- Psychological motivations and pathways into cyber offending
- Insider threat behavior, detection, and prevention
- Social engineering, influence operations, and manipulation tactics
- Cyber deviancy, harmful online behaviors, and escalation dynamics
- Juvenile cyber delinquency, online risk-taking, and prevention strategies
- Online victimology and the psychological impacts of cyber harm
- Human-centered investigative methods and decision-making under uncertainty
- Cyber defense strategy and cyber incident response from a behavioral perspective
- Cybercrime prevention and intervention approaches grounded in evidence
Students conduct sustained, original research that contributes directly to the growing forensic cyberpsychology knowledge base and supports real-world cybersecurity outcomes.
Sample Research Topics
Example doctoral research topics in Forensic Cyberpsychology may include:
- Behavioral pathways into cyber offending and how motives evolve over time (initial motives, sustaining motives, and escalation)
- Psychological and social drivers of participation in cybercrime forums, markets, and illicit online networks
- Offender decision-making in fraud, scams, and social engineering - cognitive vulnerabilities targeted and intervention strategies
- Insider threat behavior: predictors, protective factors, and evidence-based prevention approaches
- Victimology of online fraud and cyber harassment, including psychological impacts and recovery pathways
- Behavioral typologies of ransomware and extortion operations (organization, roles, and decision points)
- Online grooming and exploitation behaviors: risk signals, escalation patterns, and protective interventions
- Technology-facilitated violence and harassment: perpetration patterns, victim impacts, and prevention design
- Influence and manipulation tactics in cyber environments, including coordinated inauthentic behavior and deception
- Human factors in cyber investigations and incident response decision-making under uncertainty
Career Opportunities
Graduates are positioned to become leaders and trusted experts in a high-demand area of cybersecurity and forensic behavioral science. Role examples by sector include:
Cybersecurity, Information Security, and Security Operations
- Behavioral Cybersecurity Scientist
- Human Factors Specialist (cybersecurity / information security)
- Threat Researcher / Adversary Behavior Analyst
- Social Engineering and Manipulation Defense Lead
- Insider Risk Analyst / Insider Threat Program Lead
- Security Awareness and Behavior Change Program Director
- Security Culture and Cyber Resilience Strategist
- Incident Response Behavioral Advisor (decision-making under pressure)
Threat Intelligence, Threat Research, and Adversary Analysis
- Cyber Threat Intelligence (CTI) Research Lead
- Threat Actor Profiling Specialist
- Cybercrime Ecosystem Analyst (forums, markets, networks)
- Online Fraud and Scam Behavior Analyst
- Misinformation / Influence Operations Analyst
- OSINT Behavioral Analyst (criminal communities and signals)
Insider Risk, Workforce Security, and Organizational Resilience
- Insider Risk Program Manager / Director
- Insider Threat Behavioral Analyst
- Personnel Security and Trust Risk Analyst
- Security Policy and Compliance (human behavior) Lead
- Organizational Cyber Resilience Advisor
- Training, Readiness and Human Performance Lead (cyber)
Law Enforcement, Investigations, and Digital Forensics
- Cybercrime Behavioral Analyst / Offender Profiling Specialist
- Investigative Behavioral Analyst (cyber-enabled offending)
- Online Victimology and Online Harm Specialist
- Technology-Facilitated Violence Research Specialist
- Online Investigations and Intelligence Analyst
- Behavioral Insights Specialist (case support and investigative strategy)
Government, Defense, and Intelligence
- National Security Behavioral Cyber Analyst
- Cyber Threat Assessment Specialist (human factors)
- Counter-Cybercrime Research Analyst
- Cyber Policy and Strategic Risk Advisor
- Human-Centered Cyber Defense Researcher
- Public Sector Program Lead (online safety / cyber harm prevention)
Technology, Platforms, and Online Safety
- Trust and Safety Research Lead
- Platform Integrity and Abuse Prevention Lead
- Online Safety and Harm Prevention Specialist
- Fraud, Scams and Marketplace Abuse Research Lead
- Identity, Authentication and Verification (human factors) Researcher
- UX Researcher (safety-by-design / secure-by-design)
- Child Safety and Youth Protection Research Specialist
- AI Safety and Human Behavior Researcher (misuse, manipulation, trust)
Financial Services, Fraud, and Risk
- Financial Crime Behavioral Analyst (cyber-enabled fraud)
- Fraud Prevention and Scam Mitigation Lead
- Behavioral Risk Analyst (digital channels)
- Identity and Access Risk Researcher (human factors)
- Customer Protection and Trust Strategy Lead
- AML Behavioral Intelligence Analyst (cyber-facilitated schemes)
Consulting, Advisory, and Industry Research
- Forensic Cyberpsychology Consultant
- Cyber Risk and Human Factors Consultant
- Threat Behavior and Prevention Strategy Advisor
- Insider Risk and Security Culture Consultant
- Online Safety and Trust Advisory Lead
- Research Director (behavioral security / online harm)
Research and Academia
- Professor / Lecturer (forensic cyberpsychology / behavioral cybersecurity)
- Principal Investigator (cybercrime, online harm, human factors)
- Postdoctoral Researcher (cyber behavior, security, forensics)
- Research Center Director / Lab Director
- Grant-Funded Research Lead (government, university, or nonprofit)
- Academic Program Director (cyber behavior / cybercrime studies)
Program is 100% online
Our PhD in Forensic Cyberpsychology is offered 100% online.
Key Faculty
Degree Details
Admissions and Research Readiness
Doctoral admission requirements are published by the university and may vary by program. In general, doctoral applicants must provide:
- A master's degree in a relevant field
- A resume showing a minimum of 3 to 5 years of directly related work experience
- Two completed recommendation forms (academic or supervisory references are typically preferred)
- An admissions essay (approximately 1,000 to 2,000 words) describing relevant academic and professional experience, personal attributes, and a plan for successfully completing the program - including an initial research interest and dissertation topic
- A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale (as a general graduate admission standard)
Program Structure and Research Pathway
The PhD in Forensic Cyberpsychology is designed for experienced professionals holding an appropriate graduate degree. Students progress through structured research milestones under the guidance of an academic supervisor. The program culminates in the submission and oral defense of a doctoral dissertation, assessed by external subject-matter experts.
Resources, Expertise, and Partnerships
Capitol Technology University enables advanced doctoral research with expert guidance and a strong technology ecosystem. Dr. Mary Aiken chairs the Department of Cyberpsychology, supported by award-winning faculty. Research collaborations with government and industry partners, including security agencies, may be available.
Located near Washington, D.C., and the greater DMV technology corridor, the university provides access to a robust ecosystem of cybersecurity, defense, and technology organizations that support internships, research collaborations, and professional advancement.
Through the creation of new knowledge and evidence-based insights, graduates help shape the future of cyber defense, cybercrime prevention, digital investigation, and online safety and security.
Tuition & Fees
Tuition rates are subject to change.
| Fall 2025–Summer 2026 | Fall 2026–Summer 2027 | |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition (per credit) | $970 | $980 |
| Military Servicemember Tuition (active duty, per credit) | $875 | $875 |
| Military Servicemember Tuition (retired, per credit) | $925 | $925 |
| Information Technology Fee (per credit) | $45 | $55 |
| Application Fee (waived for Capitol Tech master's graduates) | $100 | $100 |
High School and Community College full-time faculty and full-time staff receive a 20% discount on tuition for doctoral programs.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is this program fully online? Yes. The PhD in Forensic Cyberpsychology is designed as a fully online doctoral program.
- What is the difference between Cyberpsychology and Forensic Cyberpsychology? Cyberpsychology broadly studies human behavior in online environments. Forensic Cyberpsychology focuses specifically on criminal and harmful behavior online, cybercrime, and the human factors behind cyber threats and incidents.
- Is the program research-intensive? Yes. Students progress through structured research milestones culminating in a doctoral dissertation and oral defense.
- Does the program address both offenders and victims? Yes. Research often considers offender behavior, victimization, risk factors, and prevention and intervention strategies.
- What careers does this PhD support? Graduates pursue leadership and research roles across cybersecurity, investigations, government, online safety, consulting, and academia.