Forensic Psychologist HELP

[tmlansin]

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Hi Everyone,

I would absolutely LOVE if someone could help me out here. I was wondering if someone had an idea of what it took to become a forensic psychologist. I am an upcoming senior at University at Buffalo and about to receive my bachelors in Psychology and Health & Human Services with a concentration in Early Childhood. First off, I initially thought about becoming a child psychologist, but if I took a different route and went with forensic psychology, would the Early Childhood focus affect that? I was also wondering if it was possible to obtain a Psy. D and become certified to become a forensic psychologist. Thank you!

 

[AcronymAllergy]

I'm sure others will come in and provide additional information, but a few quick points:

-A forensic psychologist is going to be a licensed psychologist, which means you'll want to get your degree in either clinical, counseling, or potentially school psychology (although that could be a tougher jump to make given the typical training settings in many school psychology programs)

-Your undergraduate major really won't matter at all; what's more important is that you have a good bit of research experience (at least 1-2 years), preferably in an area related to what you'd like to research and clinically practice in grad school and beyond. This is what's going to make you competitive for admission to doctoral psychology programs.

-There isn't really any "certification" (nationwide) for forensic psychology. In general, a forensic psychologist is just going to be a clinical or counseling psychologist who obtained training and supervision working in forensic settings/with forensic populations. However, there is board certification for forensic psychology, and board certification in general is becoming more popular in psychology as a whole, so I'd recommend you look into the requirements for ABPP boarding in forensic psych.

-Yes, it's certainly possible to be a forensic psychologist with a Psy.D., as state laws afford Psy.D. graduates the same status as Ph.D. graduates. Just be sure to search this board and read about some of the pitfalls that are common in many Psy.D. programs, particularly those at professional/for-profit schools (e.g., high tuition costs, poor student outcomes, etc.).

 

[PsychBiker]

What concentration you have in your undergrad is not likely to affect what you can do in graduate school and beyond. My question for you is why do you want to become a Forensic Psychologist? Specifically, do you have an interest in forensics because of what you've seen in the media or are there other reasons?

Overall, most Forensic Psychologists do not end up going into a Forensic Psychology program to become specifically certified in that sub-field. Whether you choose Child or Forensic Psych, if you are unsure about your end goal, your best bet is to go into a General Clinical Psychology program that has concentrations in different specialties that do not need to be decided on immediately.

I am sure other people on the forum will have more to say on this.

 

[tmlansin]

Thank you so much. Well, I developed an interest in clinical psychology after I did an internship in the Buffalo City Courts, observing mental health, family, drug, and veterans courts. I am so confused and stressed about grad school, specifically because I have heard so many mixed things. A lot of people have said that a masters degree is a waste of money if I eventually want to go on to my Ph.D or Psy. D, but then I heard that these Psy D and clinical Ph.D programs are extremely selective. I swim division I and have very little time for research, although I spent last spring semester after my swim season in a research lab. I also did two psychology/law internships. I don't know if this would be adequate enough to apply to these programs for 2014 admission. Thank you again!

 

[Lisa44201]

I would suggest applying to some Master's programs as a back-up, just in case you don't get admitted into PhD programs this time around.

Are you looking to combine your internship in the court system with your concentration in Early Childhood - work with children who, for whatever reason, are involved in the court system?

 

[tmlansin]

I would suggest applying to some Master's programs as a back-up, just in case you don't get admitted into PhD programs this time around.

Are you looking to combine your internship in the court system with your concentration in Early Childhood - work with children who, for whatever reason, are involved in the court system?

Yes, that was the original plan. I also attended family courts and divorce courts for this purpose, to be exposed to children in the court room. However, I found an interest in Forensic Psychology also.

 

[Lisa44201]

Missouri State has a funded Master's program where you can also work on a certificate in Forensic Child Psychology. How far it'll get you if you go on for a PhD is anyone's guess - there's no accrediting body for Forensic Child Psychology certificate programs; however, the practicum experience combined with a Thesis might be of interest to you, unless you're more interested at this point in working with adult populations.