Master of Research in Forensic Cyberpsychology (MRes)
Develop research expertise in the human factors behind cyber threats, cybercrime, and online harm.
At a Glance
- Delivery: Online
- Program focus: Research-intensive master's degree (degree by research) in forensic cyberpsychology
- Credit requirement: 30 credits (five courses)
- Culminating requirement: Original master's thesis and formal defense
- Designed for: Professionals seeking advanced research capability in cybercrime and behavioral dimensions of cybersecurity
Understanding Forensic Cyberpsychology
Cybercrime refers to offenses against computing devices and networks, as well as traditional crimes enabled by digital technologies. Cyberpsychology studies how technology influences human behavior online. Forensic Cyberpsychology focuses on criminal behavior in cyber environments and the human factors shaping cyber risk, incidents, and harm.
Building on these foundations, the emerging subdiscipline of Forensic Cyberpsychology was highlighted in Europol's Internet Organised Crime Threat Assessment (iOCTA), emphasizing the importance of understanding how criminal populations present, operate, and adapt within online environments.
Program Overview
What drives someone to commit a crime online? Forensic Cyberpsychology explores the psychological processes, behaviors, and motivations behind cyber crime. Drawing on cyberpsychology, criminology, and forensic science, this approach helps us understand cybercrimes, offender behavior, victimization, risk factors, and how individuals can interact with, or be exploited by, technology.
The MRes in Forensic Cyberpsychology is an online, research-intensive graduate degree. It focuses on the human side of cybersecurity and cyber crime. The program prepares students to conduct original research that strengthens their understanding of cyber threats and behavior. It also helps improve investigative and prevention methods and provides evidence-based insights to the field.
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
Sample Thesis Topics
Example MRes thesis topics in Forensic Cyberpsychology may include:
- Psychological motivations and decision-making patterns among cyber offenders in specific crime types (fraud, ransomware, hacking)
- Cognitive vulnerabilities exploited in social engineering and scam campaigns and interventions that reduce victimization
- Insider risk in remote or hybrid work environments: behavioral indicators and protective organizational factors
- Victim susceptibility and recovery experiences in online fraud (e.g., romance scams, investment scams, impersonation scams)
- Technology-facilitated harassment and abuse: perpetration patterns, victim impacts, and prevention design
- Youth cyber delinquency and pathways into hacking behavior: risk factors and intervention approaches
- Behavioral analysis of cybercrime communities (forums, illicit markets) and how norms shape offending behavior
- Reporting behavior and help-seeking: barriers and enablers for victims of cybercrime and online harm
Program Structure and Research Pathway
The MRes in Forensic Cyberpsychology is structured as a degree by research, making it well-suited for experienced professionals who want to strengthen research credentials and deepen subject-matter expertise. Students begin with foundational research training and progress into sustained, supervised research culminating in the completion and defense of an original master's thesis.
Career Opportunities
Graduates are prepared for research-driven and analytical roles across sectors where cybersecurity, investigation, and behavioral science intersect, including:
- Cybersecurity and information security
- Threat intelligence, threat research, and adversary analysis
- Insider risk programs and security operations support
- Law enforcement and intelligence agencies
- Government and defense organizations
- Industry research and technology consulting
- Policy advisory, risk analysis, and online safety leadership
- Academic research and doctoral study
Program is 100% online
This degree program is 100% online. Students will conduct their studies in virtual labs and receive online instruction from professors to gain the skills needed to develop their potential.
Key Faculty
Degree Details
Admissions Requirements
General graduate admission standards include:
- Completion of a bachelor's degree (or in the final stages of completing a bachelor's degree prior to enrollment)
- A cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or higher (4.0 scale), as a general graduate admission standard
- Any additional program-specific prerequisites or documentation requested by admissions
Program Structure and Research Pathway
The MRes in Forensic Cyberpsychology is structured as a degree by research, making it well-suited for experienced professionals who want to strengthen research credentials and deepen subject-matter expertise. Students begin with foundational research training and progress into sustained, supervised research culminating in the completion and defense of an original master's thesis.
The MRes in Forensic Cyberpsychology is a 30-credit program consisting of five courses:
Foundational research coursework (2 courses)
Online, taught courses introducing core research principles, methods, ethics, and analytical frameworks relevant to cyberpsychology and forensic cyberpsychology.
Thesis and applied research (3 courses)
Under the guidance of a thesis Chair, students design and carry out an original research project by developing a proposal, collecting and analyzing data, and producing a thesis that is formally defended.
Resources and Expertise
Capitol Technology University supports graduate research through expert supervision and a strong technology ecosystem. The Department of Cyberpsychology is chaired by Dr. Mary Aiken and supported by award-winning faculty.
Through original research and evidence-based insight, graduates contribute to the advancement of cybercrime prevention, digital investigation, cybersecurity resilience, and online safety.
Tuition & Fees
Tuition rates are subject to change.
| Fall 2025–Summer 2026 | Fall 2026–Summer 2027 | |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition (per credit) | $650 | $665 |
| Military Servicemember Tuition (active duty, per credit) | $350 | $350 |
| Military Servicemember Tuition (retired, per credit) | $550 | $550 |
| Independent Study Tuition (per credit) | $877 | $877 |
| Information Technology Fee (per credit) | $45 | $55 |
High School and Community College full-time faculty and full-time staff receive a 20% discount on tuition for master's programs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this degree fully online? The MRes in Forensic Cyberpsychology is designed for online delivery.
Is the MRes a coursework degree or a research degree? It is research-intensive and culminates in an original thesis and formal defense.
What topics can I research? Topics often include cyber offender behavior, victimization, insider threat, social engineering, and prevention and intervention approaches grounded in evidence.
Is this program a pathway to doctoral study? Yes. The research training and thesis experience provide strong preparation for PhD-level study.
Does the program focus on both cybersecurity and cybercrime? Yes. It focuses on the human factors behind cyber threats and cybercrime, supporting prevention, investigation, and response.