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How can I learn more the field of forensic psychology and related job opportunities?

I am currently a freshman in college studying psychology with a criminal justice minor and I'd like to learn more about what opportunities I could pursue if I went into forensics.

college psychology spring25 forensic forensic-psychology
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Annah’s Answer

Cora, I love this! I am not an expert, but I have worked in forensic counseling with county and federal probation. I will tell you the little bit I know; your choices may depend upon what aspect (of the work) you want to pursue. You can get an MS in forensic counseling and/or a doctorate in forensic psychology. You can look at working in a government position- like with drug court (not every county may have such a program) or mental health court. You might work in a facility such as a jail or prison implementing counseling, group therapy, or assessments. There are also nonprofits that specialize in supporting people who are on probation or work release but are required by law to participate in treatment. You could become an independent consultant or pursue work in the FBI doing criminal investigation. Some law enforcement agencies like the police are hiring social workers and counselors to go out on patrol and mediate situations where mental health issues need to be addressed with care. There is more support available for first responders these days and job openings for mental health providers to be available on site. Some career paths may require specialized training in forensic psychology or counseling, and some may not (and train on the job for someone with a graduate degree). But if you are passionate about this topic and population, it makes sense to specialize. I would take a look at some of the organizations and associations in the US- for example: The American Academy of Forensic Psychology, Society for Police and Criminal Psychology,
American Academy of Forensic Science, and the International Association for Correctional and Forensic Psychology. You will find ample information about a variety of topics related to this field. On a side note, forensic anthropology is a fascinating subject as well! Death investigators work with the office of the medical examiner to take images and take reports regarding deaths. You may even choose to enter into law enforcement as an officer; your background will prepare you well for dealing with all kinds of situations. I wish you the best! Great luck in exploring all the possibilities!
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Hassan’s Answer

https://www.apa.org/education-career/guide/subfields/forensic/education-training, https://www.apa.org/ed/precollege/psn/2013/09/forensic-psychology, and https://ap-ls.org/resources/training/graduate.html#guide-to-graduate-programs-in-legal-and-forensic-psychology-1 have in depth info about the career.

Depending on the specific job, https://www.psychology.org/careers/what-is-forensic-psychology/ you'll likely need a Masters and often a PhD as well as certification by https://abpp.org/application-information/learn-about-specialty-boards/forensic/

Check the job listing https://www.indeed.com/jobs?q=forensic+psychology&vjk=869bba96a613388b to give you an idea of what the types of jobs and requirements are.
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