2 answers
Saskia
Student
Melbourne, Florida
1
Question
Updated
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How would you recommend starting out one's forensic psychology career?
I am currently working towards BA degree in forensic psychology and eventually would like to become a forensic psychologist, but what jobs should I apply with my BA degree while working towards master's and PhD?
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2 answers
Chinyere Okafor
Educationist and Counseling Psychologist
1185
Answers
Port Harcourt, Rivers, Nigeria
Updated
Chinyere’s Answer
Hi Saskia,
Starting out in forensic psychology is all about developing behavioral-health experience that matches with the criminal-legal system, without needing to wait till your master’s or PhD to get your hands in the work. You can surely enter positions that expose you to populations involved in the judicial system and prepare you for graduate-level training if you have a BA in forensic psychology.
Think of it as a two-track strategy: clinical preparation + forensic system fluency.
On the clinical side, high–return-on-investment professions include mental health technician, psychiatric technician, case manager, residential counselor, crisis intervention specialist, and victim advocate assistant. These help you establish the fundamental skills grad programs care about, assessment support, documentation, de-escalation, treatment planning, and coordinated care.
Probation support staff, juvenile detention program aides, court services assistants, reentry coordinators, corrections mental-health assistants, advocate positions in domestic-violence or human-trafficking agencies, and research assistantships in forensic or legal psychology labs are examples of forensic positions that lie at the intersection of psychology and public safety. These assist you in understanding the procedures, limitations, and decision-making frameworks of the legal system.
The real accelerator? Try to work for a company that also takes in interns or practicum students. This offers you a built-in runway to move smoothly once you begin your master’s or PhD program. And while you’re in these roles, seek supervisors with qualifications that “count” later, licensed psychologists, LPCs, LCSWs, or forensic program managers, because their mentorship and references will define your grad-school competitiveness.
You are not behind. You’re laying the basis that most future forensic psychologists don’t get until much later. And honestly? Starting this early is a strategic advantage in a field that prioritizes boots-on-the-ground exposure.
Best wishes!
Starting out in forensic psychology is all about developing behavioral-health experience that matches with the criminal-legal system, without needing to wait till your master’s or PhD to get your hands in the work. You can surely enter positions that expose you to populations involved in the judicial system and prepare you for graduate-level training if you have a BA in forensic psychology.
Think of it as a two-track strategy: clinical preparation + forensic system fluency.
On the clinical side, high–return-on-investment professions include mental health technician, psychiatric technician, case manager, residential counselor, crisis intervention specialist, and victim advocate assistant. These help you establish the fundamental skills grad programs care about, assessment support, documentation, de-escalation, treatment planning, and coordinated care.
Probation support staff, juvenile detention program aides, court services assistants, reentry coordinators, corrections mental-health assistants, advocate positions in domestic-violence or human-trafficking agencies, and research assistantships in forensic or legal psychology labs are examples of forensic positions that lie at the intersection of psychology and public safety. These assist you in understanding the procedures, limitations, and decision-making frameworks of the legal system.
The real accelerator? Try to work for a company that also takes in interns or practicum students. This offers you a built-in runway to move smoothly once you begin your master’s or PhD program. And while you’re in these roles, seek supervisors with qualifications that “count” later, licensed psychologists, LPCs, LCSWs, or forensic program managers, because their mentorship and references will define your grad-school competitiveness.
You are not behind. You’re laying the basis that most future forensic psychologists don’t get until much later. And honestly? Starting this early is a strategic advantage in a field that prioritizes boots-on-the-ground exposure.
Best wishes!
Diana Rodriguez Velasquez
Psychologist
54
Answers
Memphis, Tennessee
Updated
Diana’s Answer
Hi Saskia!!! Starting a career in forensic psychology is a long but very rewarding path, and it’s smart that you’re thinking ahead while completing your BA.
With a bachelor’s degree, you typically won’t work as a forensic psychologist yet, but you can gain highly relevant experience that strengthens your application for a master’s and PhD. Here are some good options:
1. Case management or support roles
Look for positions such as:
-Case manager assistant
-Behavioral health technician
-Mental health support staff
These roles help you understand client documentation, systems, and interdisciplinary work.
2. Correctional or forensic settings (entry-level roles)
Jobs in:
-Jails or prisons (program aide, correctional counselor assistant)
-Probation or parole offices
-Juvenile justice programs
These environments provide direct exposure to the justice system.
3. Research assistant positions
If possible, work with professors on research related to psychology, criminology, trauma, or assessment. Research experience is extremely valuable for PhD programs.
4. Victim advocacy or crisis services
Positions at:
-Domestic violence shelters
-Sexual assault crisis centers
-Community mental health organizations
This builds clinical exposure, ethical awareness, and trauma-informed skills.
5. Internships and volunteer work
Even unpaid or part-time experiences in forensic hospitals, courts, or legal advocacy organizations can significantly strengthen your résumé.
Additional advice:
-Focus on building strong academic performance and relationships with professors (you’ll need solid letters of recommendation).
-Take courses in abnormal psychology, research methods, statistics, and ethics.
-Remember that licensure as a forensic psychologist requires a doctoral degree, so early experience is about preparation, not final placement.
You’re on the right track by planning early—each relevant role you take now will make your graduate applications much stronger.
With a bachelor’s degree, you typically won’t work as a forensic psychologist yet, but you can gain highly relevant experience that strengthens your application for a master’s and PhD. Here are some good options:
1. Case management or support roles
Look for positions such as:
-Case manager assistant
-Behavioral health technician
-Mental health support staff
These roles help you understand client documentation, systems, and interdisciplinary work.
2. Correctional or forensic settings (entry-level roles)
Jobs in:
-Jails or prisons (program aide, correctional counselor assistant)
-Probation or parole offices
-Juvenile justice programs
These environments provide direct exposure to the justice system.
3. Research assistant positions
If possible, work with professors on research related to psychology, criminology, trauma, or assessment. Research experience is extremely valuable for PhD programs.
4. Victim advocacy or crisis services
Positions at:
-Domestic violence shelters
-Sexual assault crisis centers
-Community mental health organizations
This builds clinical exposure, ethical awareness, and trauma-informed skills.
5. Internships and volunteer work
Even unpaid or part-time experiences in forensic hospitals, courts, or legal advocacy organizations can significantly strengthen your résumé.
Additional advice:
-Focus on building strong academic performance and relationships with professors (you’ll need solid letters of recommendation).
-Take courses in abnormal psychology, research methods, statistics, and ethics.
-Remember that licensure as a forensic psychologist requires a doctoral degree, so early experience is about preparation, not final placement.
You’re on the right track by planning early—each relevant role you take now will make your graduate applications much stronger.