Top Forensic Psychology Schools
- Everest University Online Click for Recommended Degree Program
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- Liberty University Online Click for Recommended Degree Program
PHD in Forensic Psychology
A PhD in Forensic Psychology is required if you want to work as a certified forensic psychologist. This is not an easy degree to obtain, mainly because of the amount of time it takes to get one. The average student spends roughly five to seven years in grad school, on top of the time he or she spends getting a bachelor’s degree in psychology. It is that extreme time commitment that drives some people away from this criminal justice career. For those who are willing to put forth the effort though, this can be an exciting and rewarding career from the start. If you feel you can handle the pressure, read on to see what a PhD may do for you.
What to Expect in Your PhD Program
While there are some variations in the courses you may take in different forensic psychology degree programs, most of them cover the same topics as a whole. Entering your PhD program, you will most likely have all the basics you need for the psychology aspect of the degree. The graduate training will focus more on the criminal justice aspect of the career. You will learn about the law and psychology simultaneously so that you can understand both sides of your future work. In time, you should be able to work as a clinical psychologist and as a legal expert after you have completed your collegiate training.
Job Duties after Earning a PhD in Forensic Psychology
For most people, the big question about their job revolves around what they will do once they get out of their degree program. The job duties of a forensic psychologist will vary greatly based on where he or she works. If you work in the court system, you may spend your days providing expert testimonies on criminal cases and working with lawyers to assess the psychological aspects of a crime. If you work in the educational system, you may act as a counselor for students who come from potentially abusive homes. In essence, you will spend time working on the mental side of criminal situations. The specific situations you involve yourself with will determine what you do throughout the day.
Salary Expectancies for Forensic Psychologists
The salary range for forensic psychologists is largely based on employment status and experience. You will most likely earn more money in the latter portion of your career than you will in the beginning. According to PayScale.com, the average forensic psychologist earns between $34,000 and $141,000 a year. That means that your PhD in Forensic Psychology could potentially lead to a healthy salary in the future. You just have to put the skills you learned in your degree program to good use.
