Criminal Psychology Requirements
Criminal psychology applies psychological principles to the legal system, with criminal psychologists assisting in court cases by evaluating suspects, witnesses and victims. Also called "forensic psychology," the field has rigorous education and professional experience requirements.
Other People Are Reading
-
Post-Graduate Education
-
Positions in the criminal psychology field nearly always require a doctorate degree in clinical or research psychology, with a further post-doctoral fellowship in forensic psychology.
Prerequisite Education
-
A bachelor's degree precedes the doctorate, generally in psychology or in criminal justice with a psychology minor or double major. Students can then obtain a master's in clinical or forensic psychology, or go on to a doctoral program.
-
General Courses
-
Courses required for the master's level include some advanced general psychology theory and methodology, such as techniques of assessment, counseling, and professional issues and ethics.
Specific Courses
-
Courses specific to criminal psychology include substance abuse evaluation and treatment, sex offender assessment and treatment, behavioral criminology, law and mental health, testimony in criminal psychology, and psychological profiling.
Licensing
-
All states require a minimum of a master's degree, successful completion of a state certification exam, and at least one year of work experience to work as a criminal psychologist.
-
