Forensic Psychology: A Fascinating Field

Start your training for a career in forensic psychology with a degree in clinical psychology, or look for one of the few colleges that offer a specialized forensic psychology degree.

by Jane Smallman
jane.smallman@college-degrees-search.com
College Degrees Search Columnist

Forensic psychologists don’t spend all their time profiling major criminals; they do, however, apply their psychology skills to the treatment of all sorts of people involved in the legal process. If you want a career in this field, you can either begin with a degree in clinical psychology, or enroll in one of the specialized forensic psychology degree programs offered by a number of colleges around the country.

What Is Forensic Psychology?

If our movie and TV screens are to be believed, forensic psychologists live a glamorous existence, profiling serial killers and other important criminals. The reality is that their work is a lot less exciting, but no less interesting.

In real life, forensic psychologists apply clinical psychology skills to the treatment of people involved in the legal process in some way—in jails, juvenile detention centers, federal and local law enforcement agencies, and educational settings. This involves scenarios as wide-ranging as evaluating children who are suspected victims of abuse or neglect, to offering an “expert opinion” on whether someone has a mental disorder that would prevent him or her from going to trial.

Is A Degree in Forensic Psychology Essential?

A psychology degree is essential, but not necessarily a forensic psychology degree, since this is a comparatively new psychology degree program offered by only a small number of colleges and universities. It would, however, make a good starting point for your career, and typically include courses directly relevant to your future career, such as

• Psychology
• Criminological theory
• Research methods
• American criminal justice

If you can’t find a convenient college or university offering a degree in forensic psychology, the traditional option is to study clinical psychology and earn a graduate degree at a later date. The number of colleges offering forensic psychology programs at master’s and doctoral levels is on the increase, and most forensic psychologists employed in the profession have taken this route.

Whichever path you choose, forensic psychology will provide you with a fascinating and challenging career, even if you don’t get to interview Hannibal Lector every day!

Sources

American Psychology-Law Society
Psi Chi
Florida Tech University

About the Author

Jane Smallman combines freelance writing with running a mountain-guiding business with her husband. She has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in the Social Sciences.

Posted on May 11, 2007 at 2:35 PM

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