subject: Forensic Psychologists Degree Requirements [print this page] There are quite a few schools that offer programs that give the opportunity to obtain a specific forensic psychology degree at the master's or doctoral level. You can get a traditional or online degree.
All master's programs that offer a degree in this psychology area, require you to choose a subfield within psychology in which you will specialize. Nowadays there is a variety of coursework for a master's degree in this subfield of psychology. Some doctoral programs require to degree in forensic social work to areas such legal consultation or law enforcement.
Before you continue your education, you should decide which degree to choose. You should consider whether you wish to work in the academic (teaching and research) or clinical (applied practice) realm. The difference between a Doctor of Psychology degree and PsyD is quite simple. As a rule the first degree requires practice training with less research than the second one.
Most forensic psychology programs give students the opportunity to become certified mental health counselors. Since most jobs in the forensic psychology require a PhD (doctoral degree), your career options may be limited with just a forensic psychology degree at the master's level. Completing a doctoral program may yield the most opportunities in this field.
Nowadays there is a variety of coursework for a master's degree in those particular field of psychology. Some programs offer studies in the application of forensic psychology to areas such as organizational and legal consultation or law enforcement. Other programs give students the opportunity to become licensed mental health counselors.
If you manage to get a forensic psychology degree at the PhD level, them you can start practice. In this case no further licensure is necessary. No doubt that an additional certification may bolster your credentials in the job market.
