How to Become a Forensic Psychologist

What is Forensic Psychology? – Forensic psychology applies the science of psychology and behaviorism to criminal investigations, seeking to better understand the criminal mind and what motivates antisocial and criminal behavior. Forensic psychologists are trained in both legal and psychological concepts and work as independent consultants, as well as for law enforcement agencies and psychiatric hospitals.

Although careers in forensic psychological research may be available after completing a master’s degree in psychology, if you have your sights set on clinical practice, you must complete a doctoral degree in psychology along with all post-doctoral requirements for state licensure. The American Psychological Association (APA) recognizes the dominant model for becoming a forensic psychologist to involve earning a doctoral degree in clinical psychology, followed by gaining post-doctoral experience in forensic psychology.

Whether you are just getting started and looking at undergraduate programs, ready to explore your graduate school options, or preparing to begin your post-doctoral internship as the final step to becoming a licensed psychologist, you will benefit from guidance and detailed information on the licensing requirements in place through your state’s board of psychology.

Select your state for a detailed step-by-step guide on how to meet the education, experience and exam requirements necessary to become a licensed psychologist where you live:

Step 1. Satisfy Undergraduate Education Requirements

When preparing for a career in forensic psychology, the American Psychological Association (APA) recommends an educational path focused on psychology, criminology, and forensics.

This may involve completing a bachelor’s degree in psychology with a focus on criminology or criminal justice, or a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice or criminology with a focus on psychology. Many institutions now also offer undergraduate degrees with a major in forensic psychology.

Some of your options for undergraduate degrees include:

• Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science in Forensic Psychology
• Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, Forensics concentration
• Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice, Forensic Psychology specialization
• Bachelor of Science in Psychology, Criminal Justice concentration

A bachelor’s degree in a program related to forensic psychology provides you with a comprehensive plan of study that will prepare you for graduate and professional programs in forensic psychology.

Major requirements in a forensic psychology bachelor’s degree often include:

• Cognitive psychology
• Social psychology
• Developmental psychology
• Abnormal psychology
• Research methods in psychology
• Psychology and the law
• Principles and methods of statistics

If you choose to complete a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice with a forensic psychology specialization, you can expect your major coursework requirements to include courses such as:

• Criminology
• Criminal justice statistics
• Criminal justice research methods
• Criminal law
• Forensic psychology
• Criminal profiling
• Criminal justice organizations
• Abnormal psychology

Most bachelor degree programs in forensic psychology are four-year programs that culminate in an internship experience designed to immerse you in the field and allow you to gain practical experience. The APA maintains a list of undergraduate research opportunities and internships, which include:

• The Family Institute at Northwestern University Undergrad Summer Research Internship Program
• The John Hopkins University Laboratory for Child Development Summer Internship Program
• National Science Foundation Research Experiences for Undergraduates Program
• Science Education Programs at Oak Ridge National Laboratory
• UCLA Summer Programs for Undergraduate Research
• University of Cincinnati: Research Experiences for Undergraduates in Complex Psychology Systems
• University of North Carolina, Karen M. Gil Internship Program in Psychology

Just a few of the settings where you may seek an internship experience to round out your forensic psychology bachelor degree include:

• Mental hospitals
• Prisons/jails
• Courts
• Private practice
• Police departments

Step 2. Satisfy Graduate Education Requirements

As the field of forensic psychology continues to increase in popularity, many more graduate schools are developing psychology degree programs with forensic tracks and full forensic psychology degree programs. Before you can begin your doctoral studies, however, you must complete a master’s degree, usually in clinical psychology or forensic psychology.

A number of institutions—in direct response to the popularity of this area of study—have implemented doctoral programs that encompass both master’s and doctoral requirements. Therefore, your graduate educational path will include the completion of one of the following:

• A master’s degree, followed by a doctoral degree

OR

• A dual master’s/doctoral degree

Master’s Degrees in Forensic Psychology

A master’s degree in forensic psychology or in clinical psychology with a forensic concentration provides the best preparation for doctoral studies in forensic psychology. A master’s degree provides you with an opportunity to pursue a more narrowed area of study in forensic psychology than would be available at the undergraduate level.

You will seek to accomplish one of two goals through the completion of your master’s degree:

• To prepare for entry into a doctoral program

OR

• To acquire the skills and knowledge needed to enter the field

These programs (often referred to as stand-alone or terminal master’s degrees) may be structured a number of ways, such as:

• Master of Arts/Science in Forensic Psychology
• Master of Arts/Science in Clinical Psychology with a concentration in Forensic Psychology

A master’s degree in forensic psychology supplements your fundamental master’s level education in clinical psychology with coursework and practicum experiences in forensic psychology.

You can expect admission requirements to include the following:

• Minimum undergraduate GPA
• Minimum GRE scores
• A statement of purpose
• Admission essay

Core coursework in a master’s degree program often includes:

• Psychology and the legal system
• Theories of criminal behavior
• Psychopathology
• Basics of psychology assessment
• Ethics in forensic psychology
• Research and statistics

You will also have the opportunity to focus your forensic psychology master’s degree by taking electives in your area of interest, such as:

• Children and adolescents in the legal system
• Correctional psychology
• Evaluation and treatment of offenders
• Police psychology

Many master’s degree programs culminate in a practicum or externship, during which time you receive practical training in your area of interest. Like undergraduate internships, settings may include:

• Prisons/jails
• Mental health facilities
• Juvenile detention centers
• Police departments
• Courts
• Private practices

Doctoral Degrees in Forensic Psychology

The completion of a doctoral degree in forensic psychology not only allows you to gain a greater depth of knowledge and skills in forensic psychology, but it is also required for state licensure as a clinical psychologist.

You will find that doctoral programs are structured as either PhD or PsyD programs. Although both programs will prepare you for a clinical psychologist license, the APA notes that students interested in careers in forensic psychology research usually pursue PhD programs, while PsyD programs are ideal for those interested in careers focused on the application of psychological science to service delivery—i.e., clinical practice.

Just a few of your doctoral degree program options include:

• PhD/PsyD in Forensic Psychology
• Clinical PsyD with a concentration in Forensic Psychology
• PhD in Clinical Psychology with a Forensic Specialization

A number of institutions also offer a JD/PhD. Upon completion of this doctoral program, you will be qualified to sit for the bar.

The APA accredits doctoral-level programs in counseling, clinical, and school psychology. Most states defer to the APA’s Commission on Accreditation for doctoral program approval. You can find APA’s list of accredited programs here.

Admission requirements are often competitive for doctoral programs, with just a fraction of applicants gaining entry. Just a few of the requirements for admission include:

• Exemplary undergraduate/graduate GPA
• Well-rounded resume
• Exemplary GRE scores
• Professional references
• Admission essay

An important component of your doctoral degree in forensic psychology will undoubtedly be your dissertation. Many institutions also offer a wide range of real-world learning experiences in a wide range of settings to supplement classroom study. These applied learning experiences will prepare you for the internship and post-doctoral experience requirements necessary for licensure.

Similar to master’s degree programs, doctoral programs will provide you with the opportunity to focus your doctoral study on specific populations/settings in forensic psychology, such as:

• Adult
• Child/family
• Corrections
• Law enforcement

Step 3. Gain the Required Professional Experience

State licensure as a clinical psychologist requires not only the completion of an APA-accredited doctoral program, but at least two years of organized, sequential, and supervised professional experience, one year of which must be a pre-doctoral internship.

Specific experience requirements vary from one state to the next, so it is important to ensure you understand your state’s requirements.

The APA maintains a list of internships and post-doctoral fellowships.

Step 4. Apply for State Licensure and Take the Required State Exams

The final step to becoming a state-licensed clinical psychologist and working in the forensic specialty involves applying for state licensure as a clinical psychologist with your state board of psychology and taking the required examinations for licensure.

Most states require applicants to take and pass the Examination for the Professional Practice of Psychology (EPPP), a national examination developed and owned by the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards (ASPPB). The EPPP, which assists state boards in evaluating the qualification of applicants for state licensure, is a standardized, knowledge-based examination delivered through Pearson VUE’s network of computer testing centers throughout the U.S.

The EPPP covers eight content areas:

• Biological bases of behavior
• Cognitive-affective bases of behavior
• Social and cultural bases of behavior
• Growth and lifespan development
• Assessment and diagnosis
• Treatment, intervention, prevention, and supervision
• Research methods and statistics
• Ethical, legal, and professional issues

Many states also require candidates to pass a state-specific examination focused on the legal and ethical issues relevant to the practice of psychology.

Step 5. Maintain Your Clinical Psychologist License

Most states require the completion of continuing education for license renewal. Although each state sets specific requirements for license renewal, you can often find abundant continuing education and professional opportunities through professional associations at the state or national level:

• American Psychological Association
• American Psychology-Law Society
• American Board of Professional Psychology
• International Association for Correctional and Forensic Psychology
• American Board for Forensic Psychology
• American College of Forensic Psychology
• PSI CHI: The International Honor Society in Psychology
• American Academy of Forensic Sciences