Obtaining a forensic psychology degree starts in undergraduate school. Most candidates start with a bachelor's degree in criminal justice or psychology. Classes that make up the core curriculum for criminal justice majors during undergraduate studies include introduction to criminal justice, criminal law, criminal procedures and ethical issues in criminal justice. Classes focusing on the forensic side of the curriculum include intervention strategies, victimology, psychology of violence and aggression, abnormal behavior, social psychology, multicultural issues in society and introduction to counseling.
After completing undergraduate studies, many people entering the field of forensic psychology continue their education and seek a master's degree in forensic psychology. Different schools require a different number of credit hours for completion of the graduate program. Examples of classes taken during graduate studies include research and evaluation, bases of psychopathology, applied social psychology, neuropsychology, foundations of forensic psychology, psychology and the law, advanced issues in forensic psychology, the psychology of criminal behavior, sociology of juvenile justice, behavioral criminology, legal research and writing, investigative interviewing techniques and courses dealing with social policy.
Two different tracks lead to a doctoral degree in forensic psychology. One track leads to clinical licensure as a psychologist while the other is geared toward the research and examination of psychology and the law. The clinical licensure track includes courses such as information on the justice system, legal research and psychological problems relevant to forensic populations that include stalking, sex offending and serial killing. The psychology, policy and law track focuses on four years of scholar/research study. Candidates for this track study such topics as analyzing social policy issues such as the civil commitment of sex offenders, exploring the protection of civil liberties, exploring the use of behavioral science by policy and decision-makers and policy implementation and psychological principles.