One of the most frequently dramatized types of psychologists in courtroom television programs, forensic psychology is a field that fascinates many people. This has increased the popularity of forensic psychology programs, which are available at the Master's degree level. Along with other types of psychology, the demand for forensic psychologists has been steadily growing. This cross-section of law and psychology is an interesting subject that can also be quite lucrative.
About Forensic Psychology
The field of forensic psychology combines aspects of law enforcement along with elements of human behavior and psychology. Students who attend this type of degree program will learn more about how to assess, diagnose, and detect mental illnesses. They will also learn about patterns of human behavior, particularly criminal behavior. Forensic psychologists also learn more about collecting evidence for use in a court of law, including how to examine, interpret, and present this information. With the ability to analyze human behavior and legal evidence, forensic psychologists can be quite useful members of a legal team. A forensic psychologist will perform a variety of duties as part of their job. This could include the following:
- Evaluate a defendant's mental stability
- Counsel inmates or those on probation
- Evaluate a victim's mental injuries
- Help with jury selection
- Help victims learn coping techniques to go back to their normal lives after a crime
- Assist with substance abuse counseling
- Assist with anger management counseling
What Jobs Does This Lead To?
With a degree in forensic psychology, graduates could go on to a wide range of different types of positions. This includes jobs in the law enforcement, government, academic, and social work sectors. The following are a few examples of job titles for graduates from this discipline:
- Expert Witness
- Correctional Officer
- Probation Officer
- Rehabilitation Counselor
- Jury Selection Consultant
- Family Counselor
Graduates could choose to work within the family courts, the criminal courts, or in a private law firm. They may also find work as private consultants in their own practice.
Salary Prospects
Source: mastersinpsychologyguide.com
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More than likely, you can work with in the prisons, doing therapy, assessment, and consultation. You can also look into the law enforcement fields, like police psychology. You can also work for the CIA or FBI.