Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Forensic Cyberpsychology
Starting Summer 2023
Earn a Ph.D. in Forensic Cyberpsychology and learn all about the psychology of cybercriminal behavior.
Forensic cyberpsychology is a cutting-edge emerging discipline which presents students with an exciting opportunity to engage with this new scientific frontier and help to develop new scientific theories and protocols, or adapt existing psychological and criminological theories with a view to staging cybercrime intervention and/or prevention.
The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Forensic Cyberpsychology degree is a unique online program designed to broaden scientific investigation, and one of the first at a Doctoral level worldwide. Scholars from computer science to the social and behavioral sciences who join the new field of Forensic Cyberpsychology will undoubtedly contribute to crystallizing new ideas and conquering an emerging scientific frontier.
Cybercrime describes crimes carried out by both individuals and groups against computing devices, operational technology systems, or networks, as well as traditional crimes facilitated by the use of the Internet and/or information technology. Cyberpsychology focuses on the study of the impact of technology on human behavior. Cyberpsychologists study Internet psychology, virtual environments, artificial intelligence, intelligence amplification, gaming, digital convergence, social media, mobile and networking devices.
The emerging subdiscipline of Forensic Cyberpsychology focuses on the study of criminal behavior online and was first highlighted by Professor Mary Aiken almost a decade ago in the Europol 'Internet Organised Crime Threat Assessment Report', in an appendix titled "the Cyberpsychology of Internet Facilitated Organised Crime" she outlined "the critical task for cyberpsychology as a discipline is to build up a body of established findings of how human beings experience technology, the critical task in forensic cyberpsychology is to focus on how criminal populations present in cyber environments".
In Forensic Cyberpsychology, the focus is on human factors behind cybercrime, studying offender profiling, behaviors, and what motivates criminals to act as they do, along with gaining insights and understanding into cyber deviancy, juvenile cyber delinquency, risk-taking/harmful behaviors online, and online victimology, as well as developing methods for online investigative procedures that help to mitigate and/or prevent cybercrime.
Capitol Tech has the unique resources and partnerships for students to progress in this field. In addition to learning from the world-leading expert in Cyberpsychology, Dr. Mary Aiken and other award-winning faculty, students may have opportunities for research collaborations with the National Security Agency (NSA), the Department of Defense (DoD) and other related agencies and organizations. The university’s proximity to the nation’s technology hub of Washington, D.C. and the DMV ensures prospective students will find many internships and job opportunities available to them with leaders of the industry.
The Ph.D. in Forensic Cyberpsychology program is structured for experienced professionals in this field with an appropriate graduate degree. Within the program, students will conduct original research in an approved area of Forensic Cyberpsychology.
As your Ph.D. progresses, you will move through a series of progression points and review stages by your academic supervisor. This ensures that you are engaged in research that will lead to the production of a high-quality thesis and/or publications, and that you are on track to complete this in the time available. Following submission of your Ph.D. Thesis or accepted three academic journal articles, you will have an oral presentation assessed by an external expert in your field.
Why Capitol?
Expert guidance in doctoral research
Capitol’s doctoral programs are supervised by faculty with extensive experience in chairing doctoral dissertations and mentoring students as they launch their academic careers. You’ll receive the guidance you need to successfully complete your doctoral research project and build knowledge in the field.
Proven academic excellence
Study at a university that specializes in industry-focused education in cyber and technology-based fields, nationally recognized for our academic excellence in our programs.
Program is 100% online
Our PhD in Forensic Cyberpsychology is offered 100% online.
Faculty
Dr. Mary Aiken
Chair
Dr. Mary Aiken serves as Chair and Professor of the Cyberpsychology Department. She holds a Ph.D. in Forensic Cyberpsychology. Professor Mary Aiken is a world leading expert in Cyberpsychology – the study of the impact of technology on human behaviour and is a Professor of Forensic Cyberpsychology in the Department of Law and Criminology at the University of East London. Dr. Aiken is a member of INTERPOL's Global Cybercrime Expert Group and an Academic Advisor to Europol’s European Cybercrime Centre (EC3). She is a Fellow of The Royal Society of Medicine, Global Fellow at the Washington DC Wilson Center, a member of the Medico-Legal Society, an International Affiliate Member of the American Psychological Association (APA) and a Fellow of the Society for Chartered IT Professionals.
Dr. Ian McAndrew
Dean
An internationally recognized leader in research and expert on low-speed flight, Dr. McAndrew has five degrees: a PhD, two master’s degrees and two bachelor’s degrees. He is a Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society. Dr. McAndrew chairs several international conferences and journals and is invited to give keynote speeches all over the world. He started his career in the automotive industry as an engine designer, and has worked at several universities across the globe. Dr. McAndrew is Dean of doctoral programs at Capitol Technology University. An external examiner on the world wide stage (UK USA, Germany, Italy, Jordan, Japan, Australia, Greece and Kenya) his experience includes over 115 successful Doctorate successes.
Dr. Richard Baker
Dissertation Chair
Dr. Richard Baker is Dissertation Chair of Graduate Programs at Capitol Technology University. He previously served as associate professor in Indiana State University’s Department of Aviation Technology, and as executive director of the Center for Unmanned Systems and Human Capital Development. Richard holds a BS in mathematics and an MS in computer science from Indiana State University. He received his doctorate in information systems from Nova Southeastern University.
Dr. William Butler
Vice President
Dr. William (Bill) Butler is currently the Vice President of Academic Affairs at Capitol Technology University. Prior to this appointment in 2021, Dr. Butler served as Cybersecurity Chair for 8 years at Capitol Tech. Earlier in his career, he worked in the networking and IT industries as a network engineer and consultant for over 20 years. He also served as a joint qualified communications information systems officer in the U.S. Marine Corps and retired as a Colonel with 30 years of service (active and reserve). Dr. Butler holds a Doctorate in cybersecurity earned from Capitol focusing on preserving cellphone privacy and countering illegal cell towers (IMSI catchers).
Dr. Kellep Charles
Chair
Dr. Kellep Charles is Chair of Cybersecurity programs at Capitol Technology University. He completed his Doctorate in Cybersecurity at Capitol Technology University. He also holds a Master of Science in Telecommunication Management from the University of Maryland University College and a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University.
Career Opportunities
A degree in a cutting-edge, emerging discipline
Graduates will contribute significantly to the emerging Forensic Cyberpsychology field through the creation of new knowledge and ideas. Get the necessary credentials to take on a leadership role; work in industry, become a researcher, advisor or trusted expert.
Resources and Partnerships
Capitol Tech has the unique resources and partnerships for students to progress in this field and provides opportunities for finding internships and employment with leaders of relevant industries.
Degree Details
This program may be completed with a minimum of 60 credit hours, but may require additional credit hours, depending on the time required to complete the dissertation/publication research. Students who are not prepared to defend after completion of the 60 credits will be required to enroll in RSC-899, a one-credit, eight-week continuation course. Students are required to be continuously enrolled/registered in the RSC-899 course until they successfully complete their dissertation defense/exegesis.
The PhD program offers 2-degree completion requirement options:
- Dissertation Option: the student will produce, present, and defend a doctoral dissertation after receiving the required approvals from the student’s Committee and the PhD Review Boards.
- Publication Option: the student will produce, present, and defend doctoral research that is published as articles (3 required) in peer reviewed journals identified by the university and the student’s Committee. Students must receive the required approvals from the student’s Committee and the PhD Review Board prior to publication.
Prior Achieved Credits May Be Accepted
Tuition & Fees
Tuition rates are subject to change.
The following rates are in effect for the 2024-2025 academic year, beginning in Fall 2024 and continuing through Summer 2025:
- The application fee is $100
- The per-credit charge for doctorate courses is $950. This is the same for in-state and out-of-state students.
- Retired military receive a $50 per credit hour tuition discount
- Active duty military receive a $100 per credit hour tuition discount for doctorate level coursework.
- Information technology fee $40 per credit hour.
- High School and Community College full-time faculty and full-time staff receive a 20% discount on tuition for doctoral programs.
Find additional information for 2024-2025 doctorate tuition and fees.