8 Reasons to Get a Degree in Forensic Psychology
Thanks to the growing number of popular detective and crime television series, forensics as a career is growing in both recognition and popularity. While forensic scientists seem to get the most attention, forensic psychology is not to be forgotten.
What is Forensic Psychology?
Forensic psychology is a fascinating and rewarding career for anyone interested in psychology. It’s a broad discipline that works alongside law enforcement to help some of society’s most vulnerable people. With a degree in forensic psychology, you’ll have many unique and interesting opportunities to develop and grow your practice.
Unlike what’s shown on TV, forensic psychologists don’t always use their skills to dive into the minds of a serial killer or determine a criminal’s next move. Instead, they spend much of their time focused on helping those in the justice system and work in the court to provide assessments and counseling.
As a forensic psychologist, you can help both the victim and the convicted. In family court cases, you may be there to provide counseling or offer up mental health assessments of either party. Alongside law enforcement’s evidence, your expertise may be the missing piece in convicting a criminal.
A career in forensic psychology is exciting, but the first step in becoming a forensic psychologist is to earn your degree in forensic psychology. While many people are deterred by the many years of required schooling, there are many reasons to get a degree in forensic psychology.
If you aren’t discouraged by the years of required schooling, take a look at a few of the reasons why this degree choice is a fantastic and rewarding option.
8 Reasons to Get a Degree in Forensic Psychology
#1. Strong Job Outlook
The job outlook is currently very optimistic for forensic psychologists. There aren’t too many forensic psychologists in the country which means that once you graduate, you won’t have too much difficulty finding a job.
With a projected job increase of 14% between 2018 and 2028, now is a great time to launch a career as a forensic psychologist.
#2. Variety in Job Locations
You don’t have to live in a crime filled city like New York, Chicago, or Los Angeles to have a career as a forensic psychologist. You can have a perfectly successful career in many other cities working for a variety of employers.
Forensic psychologists often receive job offers from the federal government, correctional facilities, hospitals, research centers, law enforcement agencies, and private forensic laboratories. You aren’t limited to one or two job opportunities. Once you’ve earned your degree and you have all the required licensing to begin your practice, you can take a job from whichever employer suits you.
#3. Decent Salary
You won’t make millions as a forensic psychologist, but you certainly won’t be earning bottom dollar. The average salary for forensic psychologists is around $72,000 per year but this varies greatly depending on your education, experience, job location, employer, and additional skills and certificates.
Forensic psychologists may make as much as $100,000 per year according to some reports, but the average tends to hover between $70,000 and $80,000 per year.
#4. Learn About the Justice System
As forensic psychologists often work alongside law enforcement officials and within the courts, they’re required to learn about the justice system. During your studies, you’ll learn how our justice system functions. Later on, you may even be able to work in an office where you help make amendments to how the justice system is run.
If you’re interested in law but you don’t want to be a lawyer or work in law enforcement, a career in forensic psychology is a great choice. You’ll study similar subjects in law and justice, but instead of focusing on arguing in a courtroom or apprehending a criminal, you get to focus on the human psyche and analyze human behavior.
#5. Stimulating and Challenging Work
Some people are bored by the idea of a typical office job which can be a huge turn off for those interested in psychology. When it comes to forensic psychology, though, you’ll never be faced with a dull day.
Forensic psychology is both challenging and stimulating. You’re always working to understand the human mind and work on exciting cases. While some cases may be boring compared to others, you’ll rarely ever encounter the same case twice. This is one of the best parts of forensic psychology according to many professionals. Whether you work in a research role or offering consultations, your day will never feel slow.
#6. No Insurance Complications
Psychologists often have to deal with insurance reimbursements. This can be frustrating and challenging. When working in forensic psychology, however, you aren’t required to work with insurance companies. You have the possibility to work as a psychologist without ever having to contact an insurance company.
If you want to completely avoid insurance agencies, it’s entirely possible as a forensic psychologist! It’s not too difficult to arrange your work so that you aren’t offering counseling or therapy for clients. If this is something you’re interested in, though, it’s perfectly possible through private practice or in law enforcement centers.
#7. Help Victims
If your want to help those that have been victims of a crime, becoming a forensic psychologist is a great way to do this. By offering counseling and therapeutic techniques to help victims process their trauma or get through the court case, you can make a real difference.
Law enforcement may not always know how to properly sympathize with someone who’s been victim to a crime. As a forensic psychologist, you can help officers help victims and provide comfort and encouragement during the investigation and trial.
A Rewarding Career
Forensic psychology is one of the most rewarding careers. It’s an incredibly unique career choice for those who are interested in both psychology and the justice system, but it’s not for the faint of heart. In working with victims and criminals alike, you’ll be faced with some difficult situations and have to help your clients work through them.
If you want to make a real difference in the lives of society’s most vulnerable people, forensic psychology is a great degree choice to help you get started.
8 Reasons to Get a Degree in Forensic Psychology
Thanks to the growing number of popular detective and crime television series, forensics as a career is growing in both recognition and popularity. While forensic scientists seem to get the most attention, forensic psychology is not to be forgotten.
What is Forensic Psychology?
Forensic psychology is a fascinating and rewarding career for anyone interested in psychology. It’s a broad discipline that works alongside law enforcement to help some of society’s most vulnerable people. With a degree in forensic psychology, you’ll have many unique and interesting opportunities to develop and grow your practice.
Unlike what’s shown on TV, forensic psychologists don’t always use their skills to dive into the minds of a serial killer or determine a criminal’s next move. Instead, they spend much of their time focused on helping those in the justice system and work in the court to provide assessments and counseling.
As a forensic psychologist, you can help both the victim and the convicted. In family court cases, you may be there to provide counseling or offer up mental health assessments of either party. Alongside law enforcement’s evidence, your expertise may be the missing piece in convicting a criminal.
A career in forensic psychology is exciting, but the first step in becoming a forensic psychologist is to earn your degree in forensic psychology. While many people are deterred by the many years of required schooling, there are many reasons to get a degree in forensic psychology.
If you aren’t discouraged by the years of required schooling, take a look at a few of the reasons why this degree choice is a fantastic and rewarding option.
8 Reasons to Get a Degree in Forensic Psychology
#1. Strong Job Outlook
The job outlook is currently very optimistic for forensic psychologists. There aren’t too many forensic psychologists in the country which means that once you graduate, you won’t have too much difficulty finding a job.
With a projected job increase of 14% between 2018 and 2028, now is a great time to launch a career as a forensic psychologist.
#2. Variety in Job Locations
You don’t have to live in a crime filled city like New York, Chicago, or Los Angeles to have a career as a forensic psychologist. You can have a perfectly successful career in many other cities working for a variety of employers.
Forensic psychologists often receive job offers from the federal government, correctional facilities, hospitals, research centers, law enforcement agencies, and private forensic laboratories. You aren’t limited to one or two job opportunities. Once you’ve earned your degree and you have all the required licensing to begin your practice, you can take a job from whichever employer suits you.
#3. Decent Salary
You won’t make millions as a forensic psychologist, but you certainly won’t be earning bottom dollar. The average salary for forensic psychologists is around $72,000 per year but this varies greatly depending on your education, experience, job location, employer, and additional skills and certificates.
Forensic psychologists may make as much as $100,000 per year according to some reports, but the average tends to hover between $70,000 and $80,000 per year.
#4. Learn About the Justice System
As forensic psychologists often work alongside law enforcement officials and within the courts, they’re required to learn about the justice system. During your studies, you’ll learn how our justice system functions. Later on, you may even be able to work in an office where you help make amendments to how the justice system is run.
If you’re interested in law but you don’t want to be a lawyer or work in law enforcement, a career in forensic psychology is a great choice. You’ll study similar subjects in law and justice, but instead of focusing on arguing in a courtroom or apprehending a criminal, you get to focus on the human psyche and analyze human behavior.
#5. Stimulating and Challenging Work
Some people are bored by the idea of a typical office job which can be a huge turn off for those interested in psychology. When it comes to forensic psychology, though, you’ll never be faced with a dull day.
Forensic psychology is both challenging and stimulating. You’re always working to understand the human mind and work on exciting cases. While some cases may be boring compared to others, you’ll rarely ever encounter the same case twice. This is one of the best parts of forensic psychology according to many professionals. Whether you work in a research role or offering consultations, your day will never feel slow.
#6. No Insurance Complications
Psychologists often have to deal with insurance reimbursements. This can be frustrating and challenging. When working in forensic psychology, however, you aren’t required to work with insurance companies. You have the possibility to work as a psychologist without ever having to contact an insurance company.
If you want to completely avoid insurance agencies, it’s entirely possible as a forensic psychologist! It’s not too difficult to arrange your work so that you aren’t offering counseling or therapy for clients. If this is something you’re interested in, though, it’s perfectly possible through private practice or in law enforcement centers.
#7. Help Victims
If your want to help those that have been victims of a crime, becoming a forensic psychologist is a great way to do this. By offering counseling and therapeutic techniques to help victims process their trauma or get through the court case, you can make a real difference.
Law enforcement may not always know how to properly sympathize with someone who’s been victim to a crime. As a forensic psychologist, you can help officers help victims and provide comfort and encouragement during the investigation and trial.
A Rewarding Career
Forensic psychology is one of the most rewarding careers. It’s an incredibly unique career choice for those who are interested in both psychology and the justice system, but it’s not for the faint of heart. In working with victims and criminals alike, you’ll be faced with some difficult situations and have to help your clients work through them.
If you want to make a real difference in the lives of society’s most vulnerable people, forensic psychology is a great degree choice to help you get started.
