by Miranda Rhuda

Created on: January 19, 2009   Last Updated: January 27, 2009

Forensic Psychology has become a popular course of study for many students all over the world. Forensic Psychology applies neuro-, clinical, counseling and school psychology skills to the criminal justice and civil legal systems. Forensic Psychologists perform job duties including lawyer and client consultation, jury selection, competency assessment, and interventions.

Students pursuing a master's degree in Forensic Psychology will obtain knowledge of mental/behavioral disorders, risk factors for violence and criminality, profiling and patterning, psychological testing, prediction and intervention measurement, forensic assessment, criminal and civil law and procedures, secure environments, forensic treatment and intervention skills, as well as professional standards and ethics.

To enroll for a master's degree in Forensic Psychology, one must first possess a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution, a nationally accredited institution approved and documented by the faculty and dean of the College of Psychology and Behavioral Sciences, or an appropriately certified foreign institution. The bachelor's degree carried should be that of a criminal justice major or a psychology major such as counseling, school or clinical psychology.

Exact requirements and courses for completing a Masters in Forensic Psychology vary upon the educational institution attended, however core courses required may include: Maladaptive Behavior and Psychopathology, Psychology and the Legal System, Psychology of Criminal Behavior, Individual Assessment, Research and Evaluation, Evaluation and Treatment of Offenders, Professional and Ethical Issues in Forensic Psychology, Psychology of the Victim, Consultation, and Triage and Testimony in Forensic Psychology. There are also a certain number of elective courses required which may include: Forensic Psychological Assessment, Forensic Program Development and Evaluation, Police Psychology, Substance Abuse Interventions, Sex Offender Evaluation and Treatment, Issues in Psychological Profiling, Correctional Psychology, Interrogation and Interviewing, Counseling Theory, Counseling Skills I, or Group Counseling. Working in this field requires one to pursue continuing education as new theories and methods emerge.

Students graduating with a Masters Degree in Forensic Psychology are able to seek careers in the forensic psychology field as law enforcement officers, legal and organizational consultants, and program analysts. Other forensic psychology professionals may also go on to serve as psychotherapists in civil court or in the criminal courts working with witnesses and assessing offenders.

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