At its core, forensic psychology refers to the application of psychological research and understanding in a legal setting. While one branch of forensic psychology does focus on the notion that a criminal can be described based on evidence of his crimes and a statistical database of known offenders, this is a comparatively small aspect of the field and one that is still very controversial. More commonly, forensic psychologists concern themselves with evaluating the mental state of criminals, providing court testimony, determining whether convicted offenders should be considered for parole and even working to treat convicts with psychological problems.
The Bachelor of Arts is the lowest degree awardable in forensic psychology. In many universities, it is only offered as a concentration within broader psychology programs. The degree itself is of no practical value for anyone interested in pursuing actual forensic psychology work; while there are many employment opportunities available, few are directly related to the degree. The degree is useful for individuals that plan to enter other areas of law enforcement or the justice system as it gives them a background in the subject. More employment options have been compiled by Wagner University and can be found in the resources below.
The Master's degree in forensic psychology is the first level at which an individual will be able to work with the justice system in the capacity of forensic psychologist. Many will not feel a need to pursue a higher degree before entering the workforce.
PhD programs for forensic psychology offer students two possible career tracks. The first track is to become a fully licensed clinical psychologist. Once licensed, forensic psychologists will be fully prepared to work in all aspects of the forensic psychology field, from treating offenders to helping police officers manage the stresses of their job.
The second track is more research based. Students that pursue this track will be likely to spend more time conducting controlled experiments and studying the literature and less time in clinical programs based on diagnosis and treatment.
A Doctorate in Psychology is similar to a PhD but emphasizes clinical practice over academic study. Both degrees are accredited by the American Psychological Association, and choosing one over the other is a matter of career goals. Whereas an individual with a PsyD in forensic psychology will be more competitive in the clinical setting, they will have trouble pursuing research positions in an academic setting.