Forensic Psychology Resource Center

Why Forensic Psychology?

One of the fastest growing fields of psychological study is forensic psychology, which applies psychology to the law and the legal system.

Forensic psychologists perform both forensic duties, which are related to the courts, and clinical duties, as they personally treat clients with counseling and therapy.

Forensic psychologists also study problems of crime prevention, rehabilitation programs in prisons, courtroom dynamics, psychology and the law, and help select candidates for police work. Practicing forensic psychologists hold PhDs or master's degrees in psychology.

Forensic psychologists perform the following functions:

• Carry out psychological evaluations of defendants to determine trial competency, or to diagnose defendants prior to a trial
• Conduct diagnostic and risk assessments to determine whether a person is at risk for re-offending
• Offer expert testimony on criminal forensic matters, including criminal responsibility, drug dependence or other psychological disorders
• Research psychological issues that have an impact on the legal system, such as testimony from children or from eyewitnesses
• Work with at-risk populations, such as inner-city youth, trauma survivors and victims of abuse
• Train law enforcement and criminal justice workers to properly and safely handle individuals with psychological problems

Forensic Psychology Work Environment

Forensic psychologists work in a variety of environments, but are often employed by local or state governments to work in conjunction with that area's criminal justice system. Forensic psychologists can also work in universities, research centers, hospitals, medical examiners' offices, forensic laboratories, police departments or as independent consultants.

Forensic Psychology Training

To become any type of psychologist takes a lot of education and work, and often both a bachelor's and a graduate degree. In order to become a forensic psychologist, students should take a good deal of psychology and criminal justice courses at the undergraduate level. A bachelor's in psychology is an excellent beginning to a career in forensic psychology.

Once a student has an undergraduate psychology degree, the next step is to begin working toward a master's degree or doctorate in psychology or forensic psychology. Though the number is growing, there are few graduate degrees specifically in forensic psychology. Many students instead receive an MA or PhD in a related subfield of psychology and focus their graduate coursework on forensic psychology.