People interested in gaining specialty training in forensic psychology can pursue a bachelor's or master's degree in the field. A four-year degree prepares students to work with defendants who are mentally ill, analyze criminals' intentions and consult with attorneys on jury selection. A master's degree program, which can be completed in one to three years, focuses on areas such as sex offenses, corrections and child protection. Master's students also usually complete a final research thesis. To get into a master's program, students typically need to have a bachelor's degree. Some schools also require students complete specific psychology courses. In addition, students must submit a resume, recommendation letters, purpose statement and graduate record examination, or GRE, scores.
Students also can complete a doctorate, or Ph.D., program in forensic psychology if interested in either clinical work or research. Students should look for programs accredited by the American Psychology Association. Alliant International University in California is a school that offers several doctoral programs in this field. These programs, which take about three years to complete, usually require coursework and a dissertation. To get into a Ph.D. program in forensic psychology, candidates usually need a bachelor's or master's degree in psychology. This type of degree program is very competitive, so students usually must complete a personal interview and submit psychology GRE subject test scores. Doctorate degree-holders who want to practice forensic psychology must also meet state licensure requirements before working. The American Psychological Association offers certification in forensic psychology, which requires post-doctoral training in forensic training and several years of experience.
Classes in a forensic psychology training program cover topics such as criminal behavior, crisis intervention and research methods. Students also study conflict resolution, substance abuse treatment, child abuse, juvenile delinquency and ethics. Other classes focus on aggression and violence, mental health and the law, personality assessment and the psychopathology of adults. In addition, students might study forensic anthropology, biostatistics or toxicology. Many programs also include mock trials and student internship opportunities with court and mental health clinics.
With specialty training in forensic psychology, career opportunities are available in prisons, jails and parole or probation agencies. People with bachelor's degrees might work with inmates and probation officers to develop parole or release plans. He may also might plan training programs to improve a criminal's job skills and provide criminals with group or individual counseling. Someone with a master's degree can become forensic psychologists or even Federal Bureau of Investigation behavioral scientists. She can choose to examine eyewitness testimony, work in public policy or handle criminal profiling, psychological autopsies and police psychology. People with a doctorate can also become university professors on the subject or focus solely on research in this field.
Employment of psychologists is expected to grow 12 percent through 2018, according to the U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics. Forensic psychologists with one to four years of experience in 2010 earned between $40,000 and nearly $70,000, according to Payscale.com.