How to Become a Forensic Psychologist?

Forensic Psychologists are professionals/experts in the field of forensic psychology. They study the suspect and evidence to determine the motive of the suspect and help solve the criminal case. Forensic Psychologists use the concept of applied psychology in the field of criminal law and justice. And if you are interested in diving into the world of psychology and criminal minds and want to know how to become a forensic psychologist, continue reading this blog created just for you.

What is Forensic Psychology? 

Forensic Psychology is the field of psychology that deals with the study of human behaviour and law. It involves the application of clinical psychological practices in the legal arena. Pursuing forensic psychology allows students to do both research on various psychology and law-related topics and professionally practice psychological techniques within a courtroom 

Must Read: What is Forensic Psychology?

Roles and Responsibilities of a Forensic Psychologist

The following are the roles and responsibilities of a forensic psychologist:

• They will be required to work in prison systems to assist in therapy and assessments of the inmates
• They are responsible for providing evidence and expert testimonies in the courtroom
• To provide mental assistance to individuals facing criminal charges
• Forensic psychologists also assess the damages suffered by individuals during the lawsuit
• To improve the application of psychological principles in the field of justice by conducting research

Skills Required to be a Forensic Psychology 

The following are the skills required to become a Forensic Psychologist:

• Strong Communication Skills
• Maintain Objectivity
• Critical Thinking Skills
• Eye for Detail
• Compassion
• Analytical Thinking

Steps to Become a Forensic Psychologist

Forensic science is a relatively new field and is quite an intensive course. The following are the steps to follow to become a forensic psychologist:

Earn a Degree

The first step to becoming a forensic psychologist is to earn a degree in the field. While some universities offer bachelor’s of forensic psychology but may not be the case in every university. In this situation, you can choose to opt for a bachelor’s in psychology. To improve the horizon of your knowledge in the field you can choose to study for a master’s degree in forensic psychology

Pursue a Doctoral Degree

After completing your master’s degree, you can improve your career scope by choosing to pursue higher education in the same field and earn a doctorate to practice as a forensic psychologist. You can either choose to study PhD or Psy.D which will both be a 5-7 years long degree program.

Specialized Training

As potential professionals in the field of forensic psychology, students will get a chance to receive specialized training and get hands-on practice via internships or training programs. As a potential forensic psychologist, you can choose to take and learn from many certifications and training.

Obtain License

To be a proper, practising forensic psychologist, you will be required to obtain a valid license. You will be required to complete a certain number of hours of clinical experience under the guidance of a licensed psychologist. Students will be required to take an EPPP ( Examination of Professional Practice in Psychology) exam. Students will be eligible to obtain their license after qualifying for the exam.

Top Colleges to Pursue Forensic Psychology

The following are the top colleges offering forensic psychology courses:

Universities	QS World Ranking 2023
University of Chester	N/A
University of Nottingham	114
Newcastle University	122
University of Birmingham	91
University of Kent	375
Kingston University	601-650
University of East London	801-1000
Queen Mary University of London	125
Swansea University	425
University of Greenwich	801-1000

Application Process

The application process takes place over a period of time and begins months before the commencement of classes. The universities have two main intakes: the fall intake and the winter intake for international students to kickstart their journey. You can call our Leverage Edu experts on 1800 572 000 to find out how the application process can be fast-tracked and streamlined!

Here’s an easy 5-step process to complete your application process for pursuing a master’s in robotics in Germany.

1. Call our experts on 1800 572 000 to shortlist your favourite universities and courses. Start your application to multiple universities through our one-dashboard platform
2. Compile all your documents like SOPs, essays, certificates, and LORs and exam scores like IELTS, TOEFL, GRE, GMAT, etc
3. Meet all the application deadlines and start the application process for accommodation, students visa, and scholarships/student loans
4. Accept the offer letter and meet your teachers, college mates, and roommates virtually
5. Get your visa approved and fly to your dream university.

Documents Required

The following are the document required to pursue a forensic psychology course:

• Academic Transcripts
• Proof of English Proficiency 
• Copy of passport
• Statement of purpose
• Work Experience (if applicable)
• Proof of Financial Stability
• Reference letter
• Letters of recommendations
• Research Proposal (for PG Research)
• Resume/CV

Must Read: Top Forensic Sciences Colleges in India

Fee Structure

Course Level	Avg. Tuition Fee	In INR
BSc Forensic Psychology	18,200 GBP	18.27 Lakh
MSc Forensic Psychology	28,000 GBP	28.11 Lakh
PhD Forensic Psychology	52,000 GBP	52.21 Lakh

Must Read: Psychology Courses

Job Profile and Salary

The following are the popular career paths for forensic psychology professionals:

Job Profile	Avg. Salary	In INR
Forensic Psychologist	$100,000	81.83 Lakh
Clinical Psychologist	$102,700	84.04 Lakh
Forensic Evaluator	$82,932	67.87 Lakh
Criminologist	$48,919	40.03 Lakh
Forensic Scientist	$67,841	55.52 Lakh

Must Read: Career in Forensic Science

Future Scope

A degree in Forensic psychology can open an array of career opportunities. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment opportunities for Psychologists are expected to grow by almost 14% by 2026. Psychologists include specialised fields such as Forensic Psychologists, Clinical Psychologists, Counselling Psychologists and Rehabilitation Psychologists. From consulting services to working with criminal justice, Forensic Psychologists have a wide range of career options to choose from.

Must Read: Scope of Forensic Psychology

Scholarships

The following are the scholarships offered in the field of forensic psychology:

Scholarship	Grant	In INR
Ellis R. Kerley Forensics Scholarship	Variable
George H Robinson Memorial Scholarship	$500	41,341
American Academy of Forensic Psychology Dissertation Research Grant	$1500	1.24 Lakh
Lizette Peterson-Homer Grant Award	Variable

FAQs

Well, we hope that this blog has provided you with relevant knowledge on how to become a forensic psychologist. And if you are planning to study the related course or any other course in any other country, contact our study experts call us at 1800-572-000, and book your free counselling session today. You can also connect with us at the Leverage Edu website.