Is a Forensic Psychology Degree Right for Me?

Examine Your Career and Life Goals

To work as a clinical forensic psychologist, you'll need to complete multiple years of education. Clinical psychologists need doctoral degrees, and these degrees take five or six years to earn.

When considering a degree in forensic psychology, it's important to consider whether or not the career you have in mind is worth all these additional years of study. For those who want to work as forensic psychologists, this education is often worth it.

For those who are interested in other aspects of the criminal justice system, like law enforcement, a bachelor's degree in forensic psychology will suffice just fine. Ultimately, your career goals can help you determine if a degree in forensic psychology, at any level, is right for you.

Evaluate Your Passions and Skillset

For a career in forensic psychology, the first thing you'll need is a passion for understanding the human mind and criminal behavior. Understanding why people commit crimes is key to helping victims of crimes receive justice and preventing crimes from happening in the future.

There are several different things a criminal psychologist needs in their skillset, aside from things like criminal profiling. These include:

• critical thinking skills
• communication skills
• compassion
• interpersonal skills
• observational skills

These skills can be developed through your forensic psychology training, although some people may naturally be stronger in these skills than others.

Consider Your Financial Situation

Because becoming a forensic psychologist requires completing a doctoral program, your total tuition costs can be astronomical. Luckily, there are a few things that can help.

Financial aid is often available to students, and options like grants and scholarships don't need to be paid back. Additionally, many doctoral programs, especially Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) programs, are fully funded.

Fully funded programs cover tuition and basic living expenses for doctoral students. However, this stipend usually isn't a lot, and so it's important to consider if you can make this type of financial sacrifice.

While the college years might be rough, psychologists usually are paid a decent salary. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) shows that the median annual salary for psychologists comes in at just under six figures.

Speak To a Forensic Psychologist

One of the best ways to determine if a forensic psychology degree is right for you is to speak to someone who has already earned their degree and is working in the field. By speaking to a forensic psychologist, you can understand what the job truly entails and what an average day in the role looks like.

There are a few ways to connect with forensic psychologists, but one of the best ways is to use the resources at your college or university. Reach out to your professors and department heads to see if they can refer you to someone, or look for forensic psychologists giving lectures or speaking at conferences near you.

What Is a Forensic Psychology Degree?

Forensic psychology degrees train students in the foundations of psychology with a focus on criminal behavior. Forensic psychology degrees are available as bachelor's degrees, master's degrees, and doctoral degrees.

Often, forensic psychology is offered as a specialization within a psychology degree program. Many psychology degrees are offered fully or partially online.

How To Become a Forensic Psychologist

There are multiple steps to becoming a forensic psychologist. You'll need to earn a bachelor's degree and then complete a graduate program before you can become licensed. We break it all down below.

Earn an Undergraduate Degree

Forensic psychology degrees are usually offered as Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degrees. Both take about four years of full-time study to complete and usually require you to first have a high school diploma or GED equivalent.

These programs usually include general psychology coursework on topics like mental health and human behavior, but also cover topics like:

• correctional psychology
• criminal psychology
• criminology
• the legal system
• victim studies

Some programs may offer internships so students can get a first-hand look at the field of forensic psychology.

Complete a Graduate Degree

After obtaining a bachelor's degree, many students proceed to a master's program in forensic psychology. These may be offered as Master of Science or Master of Art degrees and can be found online and in person.

These programs often take two years of full-time study to complete. Coursework commonly includes topics like:

• assessment for forensic psychology
• ethics in forensic psychology
• interventions in forensic settings
• psychology in criminal investigations
• research methods in psychology

Obtain a Doctoral Degree

To practice as a clinical forensic psychologist, you'll need a license, and to obtain a license, you'll need a doctoral degree. You can pursue either a Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) degree or a PhD in clinical psychology.

PsyD degrees are generally for those going into clinical practice, while PhDs are for those who want careers in research and academia. Both programs take several years to complete.

Get Licensed in Your State

While requirements vary between states, in general, you must have a graduate degree and must pass a clinical exam to qualify for licensure. Check your state's licensing board for additional information.

You can also earn a post-doctoral forensic psychology board certification from the American Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP). This requires passing a written forensic psychology exam.

What Do Forensic Psychologists Do?

Forensic psychologists apply their knowledge of psychology to the field of criminal justice. Their responsibilities may include:

• perform assessments of suspects to determine any mental health conditions
• perform evaluations of suspects and victims to determine their competency to stand trial
• act as expert witnesses in court
• consult with law enforcement agencies on criminal behavior
• develop criminal profiles to help law enforcement narrow down suspects
• determine if someone is fit for parole or early release

Some forensic psychologists specialize in certain areas of forensic psychology, like working with children or with offenders of specific crimes, while others have more of a broad focus.

FAQs About Forensic Psychology Degrees

Below, we've answered some frequently asked questions about forensic psychology degrees.

Is It Worth It To Become a Forensic Psychologist?

For many, the years of required schooling is worth it to become a forensic psychologist. Forensic psychology careers can be very rewarding and often pay a decent salary.

What Master's Degree Should I Get To Be a Forensic Psychologist?

The best master's degree you can get to be a forensic scientist is a master's degree in forensic psychology or in psychology with a specialization in forensic psychology. This gives you a solid psychology foundation and prepares you for your doctoral program.

Is a BA or BS Better for Forensic Psychology?

Both a BA and a BS are good options for forensic psychology. BS degrees often have a stronger science focus, while BA degrees have more humanities courses, and both are helpful for forensic psychology.

Where Can I Work With a Forensic Psychology Degree?

Forensic psychology jobs are available in many areas and for many employers, including:

• correctional facilities
• court systems
• law enforcement agencies
• private practice