Top Forensic Psychology Schools
- Everest University Online Click for Recommended Degree Program
- Strayer University Online Click for Recommended Degree Program
- Liberty University Online Click for Recommended Degree Program
Masters Degree in Forensic Psychology
On your way to getting a PhD in Forensic Psychology, you will have to earn a masters degree in forensic psychology. This degree will not allow you to work as a forensic psychologist just yet, but it will help you get a better understanding of what you will be doing in your career. Most students spend about two years in their master’s degree programs before moving on to the last section of their studies. Here is a look at what you may do for those first couple years in grad school.
Degree Overview
As a whole, a masters degree in forensic psychology is supposed to expand on the lessons you learned in your bachelor’s degree program. Until this point in your education, you have probably touched on the criminal justice aspect of forensic psychology, but you may not have experience beyond that first touch. The master’s degree courses that you take will delve into the law a lot more, separating your training from that of clinical psychologists. There will still be psychology courses scattered throughout your grad school degrees, but the bulk of your focus will involve the law and how psychology works within it.
Courses for a Masters Degree in Forensic Psychology
The courses you take in your masters and doctoral degree programs will vary based on the school you go to. One school may have you take something in your master’s degree that another doesn’t require until your PhD. Some courses you may come across include:
- Cognitive and Affective Aspects of Behavior
- Court Processes
- Developmental Psychology
- Ethical and Legal Issues in Psychology
- Forensic Interviewing and Evaluation
- Forensic Populations
- Human Sexuality
- Intellectual and Cognitive Functioning
- Introduction to Forensic Psychology
- Psychology and Law
- Social Psychology
- Statistical Application in Forensic Psychology
- Therapeutic Interventions in Clinical Psychology
Along with courses like that, you will most likely take some electives to complete your degree program. These will not be the same as the electives you took for your bachelor’s degree. These will be specifically designed to enhance some of the skills you learn in your forensic psychology courses. Getting through all of this will ensure you do well with your work in the future.
What Lies Ahead…
The two years you spend in your masters degree in forensic psychology won’t make up the bulk of your grad school education. You will need to spend another three to five years learning at the doctoral level. Once you do that though, you will be able to work as a certified forensic psychologist. For the dedicated students that have the dedication to get through this lengthy degree program, a rewarding careers is sure to follow.
