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What should my masters focus on?
As a psychology major minoring in criminal justice should my master's focus on psychology or criminal justice?
4 answers
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a’s Answer
You should try to decide what best for your personality and what you prefer or enjoy then think about which field you want yo be in and if you want to combine both snd have a career as one in criminal justice or other and then think about pay and benefits snd retirement plans snd lifestyle you will have but if you want to be in the criminal justice field either will or could go but criminal justice is more what they probably will want yo see first best of luck
Updated
Charissa’s Answer
Hi Sarah,
I suggest you explore what you want to do after studying. Are you interested in working in a practice or working with social services/criminal services? Depending on what you are leaning towards will help you decide which one to focus on. If you are leaning towards working more with the public/community I would say to focus on psychology and enroll in classes that have criminal justice topics. Or as Rhonda mentioned see what type of specific graduate programs are offered at schools you are looking at.
I hope this helps!
I suggest you explore what you want to do after studying. Are you interested in working in a practice or working with social services/criminal services? Depending on what you are leaning towards will help you decide which one to focus on. If you are leaning towards working more with the public/community I would say to focus on psychology and enroll in classes that have criminal justice topics. Or as Rhonda mentioned see what type of specific graduate programs are offered at schools you are looking at.
I hope this helps!
Updated
Rhonda K.’s Answer
Know your passion. What are you most interested in and what is your career goal. Some schools offer specific courses in forensic psychology, but it sounds as if you are already in a Masters program. If your program offers independent studies or special topics courses, you would be able to create a course that fits your interest in conjunction with a faculty member. Follow your passion!
This was super helpful, thank you!
Sarah
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
Hello, Sarah !
Thank you for exploring your career interest ! My advice is to focus your Masters Degree on Psychology as a Psychology major. It's going to depend on the exact career goal (psychologist, psychiatrist, etc.).
I would like to explain that in order to work with the criminal justice system, you first and foremost would need to be a psychologist. Criminals would be the population, not the career. As a Psychology professional, you would know how to work with the criminal population whether it is with the police in law enforcement or one on one with people who are not in prison at the time. So you need the Psychology credentials. You will learn about various populations and criminal psychology through being a Psychology major for both your Bachelors as well as your Masters Degree. There will be opportunities for you to receive trainings, seminars and attend conferences as a psychology student to learn more about criminal psychology, so you will be able to learn about it. First get the psychology part mastered and most likely abnormal psych and criminal psych will be offered at the undergraduate level.
You may want to also visit your on campus Career Center and see if they offer career counseling. That would be a source of on-going information and support for you ! Best wishes in all you do !
Thank you for exploring your career interest ! My advice is to focus your Masters Degree on Psychology as a Psychology major. It's going to depend on the exact career goal (psychologist, psychiatrist, etc.).
I would like to explain that in order to work with the criminal justice system, you first and foremost would need to be a psychologist. Criminals would be the population, not the career. As a Psychology professional, you would know how to work with the criminal population whether it is with the police in law enforcement or one on one with people who are not in prison at the time. So you need the Psychology credentials. You will learn about various populations and criminal psychology through being a Psychology major for both your Bachelors as well as your Masters Degree. There will be opportunities for you to receive trainings, seminars and attend conferences as a psychology student to learn more about criminal psychology, so you will be able to learn about it. First get the psychology part mastered and most likely abnormal psych and criminal psych will be offered at the undergraduate level.
You may want to also visit your on campus Career Center and see if they offer career counseling. That would be a source of on-going information and support for you ! Best wishes in all you do !
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