How to Become a Successful Forensic Psychologist

Individuals need essential skill sets and proper training to become successful forensic psychologists.

Schools that offer graduate programs in forensic psychology are highly selective, so starting early and maintaining a solid academic path can assist individuals in becoming successful.

Starting Early for Forensic Psychologists

Men and women planning to head down this career path can gather experience and knowledge early on. Numerous psychology classes will need to be taken to succeed in this field, and many high schools offer introductions to psychology.

High school-level science classes can be necessary as a foundation for the many science courses needed at the college level.

Sociology is another great high school class individuals should take, as their career will lead them to study specific backgrounds and life influences of certain individuals.

Finally, math classes are essential as many forensic psychologists work with numbers through statistics and analytics.

Required Skill Sets

It’s never too early to start honing essential skill sets that will serve you throughout your forensic psychologist career. The organization is necessary, as these professionals live a very research and academic-based lifestyle.

Attention to detail is also significant, as professional forensic psychologists often analyze groups of individuals and their backgrounds, cultures, races, and upbringings to determine potential behavior patterns.

Learning the nuances of body language can assist greatly because most forensic psychologists will assess individuals to determine their competency.

Hands-On Experience

Choosing a college that provides hands-on experience in the form of research or internships is a great way to build a resume and experience.

The more experience an individual has in the field, the more attractive their resume is to a potential employer.

Evaluate the different programs in forensic psychology available and narrow down your choices by determining which ones provide the best hands-on experience that will serve you throughout your career.

Plan for Schooling

Because most forensic psychologist careers demand at least a master’s degree but prefer a doctorate, individuals who plan to take this career path should prepare for many years of schooling.

After the two years required to earn a bachelor’s degree, individuals must take another 4 to 6 years of school before preparing to enter the workforce. For this reason, this type of forensic psychologist career is only for the truly dedicated.

Become a Certified Forensic Psychologist

Finally, while it may not be required, individuals will benefit from becoming certified through a reputable and professional organization such as the American Board of Professional Psychology.

To become certified as forensic psychologists, individuals need a doctorate from a school that the American Psychological Association accredits. They will also need to have completed an APA-approved internship. Finally, 100 hours of formal education is required to take the certification test, as is 1,000 hours of experience in the field. This can be in the form of a postdoctoral training program.

By ensuring that each of these steps has been completed, individuals will increase their chances of becoming highly successful in forensic psychology.