Forensic psychology combines the fields of psychology and criminal justice. So, those who pursue careers in forensic psychology must be skilled and knowledgeable in both fields. Typically, a forensic psychologist completes a bachelor's, master's, and doctorate program, ultimately achieving a doctorate degree in psychology. To become a forensic psychologist, doctoral level education must be pursued.
Forensic Psychology Career Overview
Forensic psychologists apply the science of psychology to the criminal, court, and corrections systems. A forensic psychologist may offer treatment to sexual offenders, act as an expert witness to explain psychological concepts in court, or provide consultation to an attorney regarding a person's state of mind. Forensic psychologists are found in academia, private sector, and public service. Forensic psychologists may assist in legal matters such as the mental status examination of criminal defendants, violence risk assessment, civil law, mediation/dispute resolution, research, or child custody/family law.
Skills Needed for a Successful Forensic Psychology Career
Good Communication (Both Verbal and Written)
Someone who desires a career in forensic psychology must have the ability to communicate complex psychological concepts. A forensic psychologist must be able to communicate effectively with a variety of individuals, such as witnesses, judges, and law officers.
Critical Thinking
A forensic psychologist must be able to assess individuals or situations from different perspectives, or in other words, think critically. Critical thinking is a necessary skill when it comes to assessing the competency of a witness, assessing the recidivism risk for an offender, or conducting research on human memory.
Strong Research Skills
Research skills are necessary in conducting formal and experimental research or cross-checking the testimony of another expert witness. Since the application of research data drives the field, it is important to have good research skills.
Ability to Observe
Observational skills are a must as forensic psychologists have to take in, process, and present advice and conclusions to a client, such as a lawyer or judge.
Forensic Psychology Career Concentrations
- Attorney ($115,820 median salary as of 2015)
- Judge ($126,930 median salary as of 2015)
- Detective ($77,210 median salary as of 2015)
- Experimental Forensic Psychologist ($94,590 median salary as of 2015)
- Trial Consultant ($94,590 median salary as of 2015)
An attorney represents entities in legal cases. A lawyer who has an education in forensic psychology will not have to consult with one or may serve as a second opinion to a forensic psychologist who is brought in on a trial.
A judge oversees the legal proceedings in the courtroom such as trials and arraignments. Forensic psychology training can help a judge determine how dangerous an individual is to society. For those considering education in forensic psychology but do not want to obtain a doctorate degree, it is important to note that only a Juris Doctor degree is needed to be a judge.
Detectives are police officers who head criminal investigations. Training in forensic psychology may be useful when they interrogate or interview witnesses. Becoming a detective rarely requires more than a Bachelor's degree.
- Experimental Forensic Psychologist
An experimental forensic psychologist conducts research and experiments. Since the advice lawyers and courts receive is based on data from research, this role is crucial to the field. Anyone looking to be an experimental forensic psychologist would be a good fit for a PhD program in psychology with a specialization in forensic psychology if possible.
A trial consultant offers advice to lawyers in regard to legal cases. This advice is typically based on data from research. A trial consultant may offer advice on how to choose the best jury or evaluate the strength of an opposing expert testimony. While there are no specific education requirements to become a trial consultant, success in this career is based on credibility and reputation. Therefore, a doctoral degree is practically required.
As it stands, forensic psychology is a rapidly growing field. The American Psychology-Law Society has grown exponentially in recent years.
Forensic psychology is expected to grow as a field, despite the challenges it faces related to the scientific scrutiny of psychological evidence. The growth is related to many factors For one, many psychologists have abandoned traditional managed care in favor of forensic psychology. Cultural obsession with and portrayal of criminal topics by the media have led to more students being interested in the field. More rigorous training programs, instruments, and procedures are being developed to help psychological evidence stand up in court. All in all, well-trained forensic psychologists are likely to do well in the field as the market for this career faces both increasing demand and skepticism.
Get a Bachelor's Degree (4 years)
The first step in pursuing a career in forensic psychology is to obtain a bachelor's degree from an accredited university. This typically takes about four years and requires 120-130 credits. While there are many degree choices, those on the forensic psychology track tend to be psychology or criminal justice majors. Many students major in psychology and minor in fields such as criminal justice, criminology, or pre-law. Courses frequently taken in undergraduate study include introduction to psychology, forensic psychology, the psychology of criminals, and deviant behavior.
Importantly, some graduate programs will not accept non-psychology majors in graduate-level programs. A bachelor's degree alone is not enough to guarantee entry into a Master's degree program. Crucially, students should research graduate program prerequisite and admissions requirements when considering their career goals. To increase the chances of getting into a graduate program, students should strive for competitive GRE scores.
Get a Master's Degree (2 years)
The second step is to acquire a Master's Degree. It takes approximately two years and requires 35-40 credits. This step is often, but not always, taken by those pursuing a career in forensic psychology. It may be necessary to acquire more specialized knowledge in preparation for a PhD program. Since many doctoral programs do not focus on forensic psychology, a Master's level program can help people gain the information needed to pursue education and career goals. Master's programs tend to be more flexible than undergraduate programs, often offering online classes. Courses taken in a Master's degree program may include domestic violence, criminal assessment, and psychological treatment of offenders.
Get a Law Degree (Optional)
The third step is optional, and it is to get a law degree. A Juris Doctor degree will provide knowledge of legal concepts and workings of the court. A Juris Doctor degree is not needed to be a forensic psychologist, but it is a necessary qualification to sit on the bar and become an attorney. Some colleges offer a dual forensic psychology and law degree program.
Get a Doctorate Degree in Psychology (4-5 years)
The fourth step is to earn a doctorate degree in psychology. This takes about four to five years. Typically, programs are comprised of two or three years of courses, a comprehensive examination or two, research requirements, internship or practicum requirements, and a dissertation. For those who don't want to write a dissertation, it is worth considering that PsyD programs are more likely not to require a dissertation, favoring internship and practicum. PhD programs are best for people who are more interested in research, while a PsyD is better suited for people who are more interested in treatment planning. When choosing one program over another, students should look at their particular career goals. A student who is interested in conducting research on eyewitness testimonies and memory recall should pursue a PhD in psychology. Someone interested in assessing and treating offenders may want to consider PsyD programs. Courses taken in a doctoral study may include personality analysis, the psychology of behaviors, and sex offender assessment and treatment.
Get Licensed (Optional)
Once educational requirements have been met, the next step is to obtain state licensure. While licensure is not necessary to become a forensic psychologist, it is for certain jobs. Licensure would be needed to assess individuals in a criminal justice setting such as a court or prison. Only doctorate degrees from accredited programs are capable of being licensed. Keep in mind there may be continuing education requirements that must be completed to keep licensure.
Get Board Certified (Optional)
Once 1000 hours of practical experience has been achieved, an individual may want to become board certified by the American Board of Forensic Psychology (ABFP). It is not necessary to pursue professional certification. However, certification can boost credibility in the courtroom.
Given that information, it should take approximately 10-11 years to fulfill the educational requirements for a forensic psychology career. This does not include any breaks or detours in education or the time to complete goals after education, such as the time it takes to get licensed. The time it takes can be shortened a bit, if one takes the proper steps such as enrolling in summer or winter sessions during undergraduate study.
