Forensic Psychology | Top 10 facts you must know!

As the field of psychology expands, the scope and the application of forensic psychology will continue to rise. In fact, studies say that the growth rate of jobs in forensic psychology will increase by 14% between 2018 and 2028!

So if you’re interested in spaces like psychology, human behavior, law, criminal, and justice, forensic psychology is your calling. But if you aren’t sure how to go about it, don’t worry. This article has you covered!

What is Forensic Psychology?

As the name suggests, forensic psychology involves applying psychology for criminal investigation and law. It is also concerned with civil as well as administrative matters that ensure a definitive and precise work ethic.

Forensic psychology careers include being-

1. Correctional counselor
2. Victim advocate
3. Jail supervisor
4. Federal government employee
5. Jury consultant
6. Clinical counselor
7. Police consultant
8. Probation officer
9. Crime analyst, and
10. Researchers in education institutes

But keep in mind – a forensic psychologist’s work might not be as glamorous as portrayed by the mainstream media. It includes tasks like evaluating the behavior of convicts, accused, victims, and witnesses, performing psychotherapy, and providing testimony in civil and criminal trials.

Why is it such a fast-growing field?

There could be many reasons for aspirants being drawn to forensic psychology.

1. The first being ㅡ the growing number of job profiles
2. The second being ㅡ the portrayal of forensic psychology in the media (which isn’t very accurate).
3. Moreover, the need for a psychologist is high in government, private, and public agencies.
4. These organizations may include criminal justice systems, consulting firms, correctional facilities, civil and criminal courts. 
5. Forensic psychologists can also opt for private practices and consultation agencies. In addition, they can take up jobs in the educational, training, and academic research centers.

What does a forensic psychologist do?

The work of a forensic psychologist can extend beyond the legal facet and also look at the civil and administrative fronts of the field. Some of their duties include- 

1. Evaluating the credibility of insurance claims.
2. Testifying in lawsuits.
3. Offering psychotherapy services in the family court and child custody evaluations.
4. Making assessments regarding domestic, child abuse, and sexual abuse. 
5. Providing psychotherapy to the victims of crime and abuse.
6. Evaluating cases of sexual assault.
7. Evaluating the damage done to infrastructure and property in case of a lawsuit.
8. Studying suspects’ behavioral patterns and determining their motives.
9. Interrogating criminals, suspects, and witnesses.
10. Studying the signs of domestic violence or mental illness.

These evaluations and assessments are done on deeper grounds. They also include working with child witnesses as well as assessing the mental conditions of those involved in a lawsuit.

Besides helping criminals, forensic psychologists can also help other professionals. This would include people in the legal system – such as lawyers, juries, and judges – to better understand the motives behind criminal activity. They might even choose to fight lawsuits against the minority and deprived sections of society. 

Difference between Forensic Psychology and Criminal Psychology

Even though there are many similarities between the two fields, they are poles apart. Hence, it’s important to understand how each of these professions functions in the law enforcement and the criminal justice systems. 

Here are a few key differences-

Forensic Psychology	Criminal Psychology
Forensic Psychology is a broad field that applies the principles of psychology to the criminal justice system and law.	Criminal Psychology tries to understand the motives of criminals and develop a psychological profile to help or apprehend them.
Forensic psychologists consult with law enforcement and incorporate psychology in criminal and civil legal matters.	Criminal psychologists examine an individual’s criminal behavior and diagnose their mental health conditions.
The job involves analyzing the impact upon the victims and applying the knowledge of psychology to the criminal justice system and deal with legal aspects.	The job involves analyzing the reason the offender committed the crime and focus on understanding the psychological motives by getting to know the criminals.

Top universities offering Forensic Psychology programs

It’s important to study at one of the best universities out there as you need quality education in order to excel in your career. So, let’s look at the top universities for studying forensic psychology-

1. John Jay College of Criminal Justice
2. University of North Dakota
3. The University of Denver
4. Arizona State University 
5. Roger Williams University
6. California Baptist University
7. Coventry University
8. University of Lincoln
9. The Chicago School of Professional Psychology
10.  Southern New Hampshire University

What qualifications do I need to become a forensic psychologist?

After completing a Bachelor’s in Psychology–

1. You’d have to study at one of the many universities that offer a Master’s degree in Forensic Psychology.
2. You’ll also need a Ph.D. or a Psy.D. from an accredited doctoral program. 
3. More qualifications, work experience, and training will help you learn more and refine your knowledge base in the field (even for an entry-level position, you’ll need to complete extensive hours of experience before you can practice independently). 
4. Prepare for at least 4000 hours or two years of supervised experience for a license. You can complete some of these hours during the internship. However, at least 2,000 hours must be completed after earning your doctoral degree. 

If you want to become a forensic psychologist, it’s essential to explore the country’s and state’s license requirements. Each state will have different requirements, so look into that based on where you want to practice. 

Forensic psychologists need to possess strong proficiency in legal knowledge. Apart from that, it’s important to understand how both the fields of psychology and law interconnect. 

What skills do I need to become a forensic psychologist?

The key to becoming a good forensic psychologist is having the right skills. So the more you practice, the stronger your skills will get. First, let’s look at some soft skills you need-

1. Strong communication skills 
2. Teamwork
3. Problem-solving
4. Critical thinking
5. Strong research ability 
6. Ability to be objective
7. Attention to detail
8. Empathy 
9. Strong analytical skills
10. Strategic skills 

It’s also important you have patience and commitment to the case since people won’t always corporate.  

Some hard skills include-

1. Accurate clinical research
2. Effective counseling techniques
3. Smart data collection methods
4. Strong research methods
5. Investigation skills 
6. Knowledge of tools and technologies

Here are a few tips on how you can get started-

1. Attending workshops is a great way to upskill.
2. You can also take forensic psychology courses and opt for training sessions to build your skills. 
3. Likewise, doing internships and volunteering for research projects will only add value to your resume.

Take up courses that have a more detailed approach to research methods, theories, and ethics and talk about best practices while offering specializations in the field.

How to become a forensic psychologist?

There are four steps you can follow to become a successful forensic psychologist-

1. Complete your degree

You should consider that the state-accredited Forensic Psychology colleges usually charge less. Whereas private colleges for forensic psychology would charge a lot more. However, selecting the right college might take time and research. Hence, you should ensure that the institute is accredited before enrolling.

Choose a program that supports your educational background because some of them have very specific requirements. Remember, a Master’s or a Ph.D. program will only accept you if you have studied for a related degree.

2. Earn the state license

To become a psychologist in any field, you need to earn a license.

Most colleges require a Doctorate in Psychology, along with the completion of specific hours and exams.

3. Start the job hunt!

Now that you have completed your studies and have a license, you can apply for jobs. One way would be to start working in firms or organizations where you’ve completed supervised hours for an internship. 

You can also begin your independent practice if you like. However, working in an established organization for a couple of years will benefit you more. 

4. Maintain your license

This field is constantly changing. Hence, it’s important to remain up to date with all the developments in forensic psychology. You also need to renew your license every few years, depending on the state requirements. For this, you need to keep reading all the updates you can get your hands on. 

Top 12 job opportunities for forensic psychologists

Crime rates are skyrocketing and now, more than ever before, people are looking for psychologists with professional expertise.

Since it takes at least ten years of education for an individual to become a licensed forensic psychologist, it’s important to know what job opportunities are available.

Let’s look at a few of them-

1. Correctional counselor
2. Jail supervisor
3. Victim advocate
4. Police consultant
5. Federal government employee
6. Jury consultant
7. Licensed clinical counselor
8. Probation officer
9. Forensic research psychologist
10. Crime analyst
11. Forensic social worker
12. Investigative journalist

So, as a forensic psychologist, you will be a part of every aspect of society. This is also another reason the field is becoming so popular. 

What is the average pay of a forensic psychologist?

The salary of a forensic psychologist depends on the employment sector and the areas of specialization. But the average salary will be between $53,000 and $105,000 annually.

Key takeaways

1. The role of a forensic psychologist can be intellectually challenging as well as rewarding.
2. This also gives them the opportunity to grow and learn more about the field.
3. The careers options are diverse.
4. Growing more with the increasing opportunities as the field undergoes constant evolution. 
5. As the field continues to develop, the questions about forensic psychologists also continue to pop up.

But, we hope we have covered most of your queries. If not, you can get in touch with us, and we will solve all your doubts! You can even head on to the comment section and ask away!

Which branch of psychology are you interested in? 

Read more: Top 12 things you must know about studying Cognitive Psychology!

FAQs

1. What is the main focus of a forensic psychologist?

Answer- According to the American Psychological Association, forensic psychology is the application of clinical specialties to the legal arena.

2. What is the importance of forensic psychology?

Answer- Forensic psychology contributes greatly to the field of psychology as it supports people with mental health issues in the criminal justice system. This also applies to those who are at risk of entering. 

3. How long does it take to be a forensic psychologist?

Answer- To become a forensic psychologist, you will dedicate ten years post high school to this field ㅡ four years to complete your bachelor’s, two for your master’s, and around four years for your doctorate.