Forensic Psychology

Forensic psychology is the application of psychological studies to criminal cases. It involves a broad realm of study, but for the most part, forensic psychologists study the human mind to interpret events in a criminal setting. This career path requires extensive education, just like any other career in psychology. Nevertheless, it can be a highly rewarding job in the right circumstances. Let’s take a closer look at the field of forensic psychology to see if it may be a career path for you.

Education for Forensic Psychology Careers

To become a forensic psychologist, you need a doctoral degree in psychology. That will require an additional 5 to 7 years of study beyond your undergraduate degree. In total, most forensic psychologists spend at least a decade in college, depending on how long it takes them to complete grad school. If you’re looking for a quick career to get into, this will not be one of them.

You can now obtain a degree in forensic psychology on the web if you do not want to go through a traditional degree program. The information you learn on the web will be the same as that of an on-campus degree program, but you will have a more flexible schedule going to college online. Most students get through their degree programs faster online than they do through campus-based schools, depending on the amount of work they have to do. At the very least, you should be able to save money by going to school online.

Common Duties of Forensic Psychologists

The duties of a forensic psychologist will vary based on where a person works. You may work with the police to analyze the behavior of crime suspects, or you may work with a school to determine if children come from abusive households. As a whole, forensic psychologists use their backgrounds in psychology to detect criminal activity and assess the way possible criminals think. These professionals are usually called upon to provide testimonies for court cases, giving their expert opinion on a matter for the judge to make a decision with.

Forensic psychologists can act as clinical psychologists when they are not needed for a crime. You could make money counseling members of your community if work was slow at some point in the year. Areas with high crime rates and population levels usually have enough of a demand for forensic psychology to keep psychologists busy throughout the year, but that is not always the case in rural areas. The location of your work will have a major impact in your job duties as a forensic psychologist.

Forensic Psychologist Salary

The salary level for forensic psychologists varies significantly throughout the country. In an entry level position, you may make $35,000 to $40,000 annually. With several years of experience in the field, you could potentially earn $100,000 a year or more. Some forensic psychologists working for the government earn as much as $245,000 a year. The highest paying professionals in this career work in New England, but there are high paying positions sprinkled throughout the country. You will just have to see what opportunities you come across when you go to work.

Pros and Cons of Forensic Psychology Careers

A career in forensic psychology is not for everyone, so you have to make sure you understand the pros and cons of the field before you get involved with it. Here is a brief comparison to keep in mind.

Pros

• You get to help people on a daily basis as a forensic psychologist. This career can be highly rewarding over time because of that
• You can work in a variety of careers with a degree in criminal psychology. In one year, you may work in criminal courts, local schools, or government offices, providing your expertise where it is needed most.
• Because of the extensive education required for forensic psychologists, there are few of them in the field. This leaves you with less competition for the future when you go to apply for the job.
• The demand for forensic psychology is high at the moment, and it should remain that way well into the future.

Cons

• This career can be highly stressful, and work hours are quite long at times. Most forensic psychologists burn out after working in the field for an extensive period of time.
• The earning potential is high, but only after a lifetime of work in forensic psychology. At first, you will not make enough money to seem worth the hassle you went through in school.
• Educational requirements are high. Most students spend at least a decade pursuing a degree before they work as forensic psychologists.

Think over the pros and cons listed above to determine if this career path is right for you.