What is Forensic Psychology?

Forensic psychology is one of the fastest growing areas of psychology. This is backed by an increase in the practice of clinical psychology in our legal system and the increasing intent by undergraduate and graduate students. Many students though are mislead by sensationalistic media portrayals that may not be accurate or offer realistic employment opportunities.

A forensic psychologist is any psychologist who offers an expert psychological opinion in a way that impacts one of the adversarial arenas, typically the courts. Forensic psychologist may assist a court or other fact finder in arriving at a just or correct decision. An example would be the forensic psychologist might assist in a wide variety of civil matters. Civil matters include but are not limited to lawsuits or insurance claims where emotional suffering is a part of the claim, determination of competency of an aged or ill person to make decisions whether a death was an accident or a "disguised suicide" in an insurance claim case, or in a wide variety of other areas.

Careers in Forensic Psychology
Forensic psychologist can be employed in a variety of settings including jails, prisons, state hospitals, federal and local law enforcement, community mental health centers, juvenile detition centers, private practice, or colleges and universities.
One of the biggest draws for some students to become interested in forensic psychology is their interest in "criminal profiling". The reality is that most enforcement agencies do not use criminal profiling procedures and those that do use similar procedures are more likely to employ law enforcement personnel than they are to employ a forensic psychologist. Criminal profiling is much more of a law enforcement technique than it is a scientific process.

Training in Forensic Psychology
Becoming a forensic psychologist will first require you to obtain a doctorate in psychology, often (but not necessary) in clinical or counseling psychology. This will probably take you about seven years after the undergraduate degree to get this doctorate, though some people may take a little less time. Students seeking to enter this type of program should be aware that competition is stiff.
There are several masters and doctorate programs in forensic psychology at institutions such as Castleton State College, the University of Denver, John Jay College, Marymount University and the Sage Colleges. A more comprehensive list of graduate programs in forensic psychology can be found by going to the American Psychology-Law Society website at www.unl.edu/ap-ls/gradp.htm and www.unl.edu/ap-ls/CAREERS.htm.

After getting considerable experience and continuing education some forensic psychologists will go on to become 'Board Certified' in forensic psychology specialty. However, not all forensic psychologists do become board certified. The best-known certification board is the American Board of Forensic Psychology located at http://www.abfp.com. It offers the title of "diplomat" to people who meet its standards and pass its exam.