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
Forensic Psychology Description
If you are looking for a forensic psychology description, chances are you are thinking about a career like this in your future. Forensic psychology is a combination of psychology and the criminal justice system. In this area of the work force, professionals use their knowledge of the human mind and the legal system to assess criminal behavior, counsel litigants in court cases, and evaluate inmates to determine their future. Forensic psychology is not an easy career to be involved with, but it is in high demand at the moment. You may find it to be the perfect line of work for you. Here is a look at what you may run across if you choose a job in forensic psychology for the future.
Forensic Psychology Training
In order to become a forensic psychologist, you will need to get a doctorate in psychology with an emphasis in criminal justice. This will require a total of roughly ten years in college, including the time it takes to get your bachelors and master’s degrees. Most students have a problem devoting that must of their life to their education, which is why so few people actually end up working in this career path. If you can handle the educational commitment though, you will potentially have a rewarding career ahead of you.
Forensic Psychology Job Duties
The duties of a forensic psychologist will vary based on where the person decides to work. Some of those duties may include:
- Analyzing potential child abuse cases
- Assessing child custody cases
- Assessing the credibility of child witnesses
- Assessing the termination of parental rights
- Counseling families after divorce
- Counseling individuals who violate restraining orders
- Counseling people on probation
- Counseling victims of crimes
- Couseling parents and children
- Determining visitation risks
- Evaluating sexual offenders
- Training violent offenders to control their anger
The list could go on from there, but that gives you a taste of the many job duties a forensic psychologist may have throughout the year. it is hard to pinpoint exactly what you may be doing in the future, but that forensic psychology description should give you a general view of the range of work you could come across.
Forensic Psychology Job Outlook
The job outlook for forensic psychology is strong well into the future. The Bureau of Labor and Statistics suspects that this field will grow 11% between 2008 and 2018, so you should have plenty of job opportunities when you complete your job training. You also have the option to make a lot of money in this career field, with many forensic psychologists grossing more than $100,000 per year. Here are some salary ranges you may come across based on your college degree:
- Bachelor’s Degree: $39,289 - $83,720
- Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Psychology: $73,495 - $248,323
- Doctor of Psychology (PsyD): $50,868 - $107,107
Those salary levels are courtesy of PayScale.com. If you get a sound education now, you could receive a salary on the high end of that scale in the future.
