How to Become a Forensic Psychologist
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- Forensic psychologists help law enforcement solve crimes and counsel offenders and survivors of crime.
- States require forensic psychologists to have a license and complete continuing education.
- Entry-level jobs for forensic psychologists may require only a bachelor's or master's degree.
- You must complete a doctoral program and pass at least two exams to earn a license as a forensic psychologist.
Becoming a forensic psychologist takes a significant amount of education and training. It takes about a decade to earn a forensic psychology degree, gain experience, and pass licensing exams. Researching the field of forensic psychology can help you plan your professional future.
Payscale reports that forensic psychologists earned an average of $78,800 per year as of March 2024. Experienced professionals made over $115,000 in average annual salary.
What Is a Forensic Psychologist?
Forensic psychology involves studying the relationship between psychology and criminal justice. Professionals use their expertise to interview suspects and victims, assist lawyers with jury selection, and testify in court.
Entering the forensic psychology field takes many steps, including earning an advanced degree and state licensure. Learn more about how to become a forensic psychologist to determine if the career is right for you.
Featured Online Forensic Psychology Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
4 Steps to Becoming a Forensic Psychologist
You can become a forensic psychologist by completing the required education, experience, and examination. Some requirements vary by state.
Step 1: Earn a Bachelor's Degree
A bachelor's degree in psychology, forensics, or a similar topic qualifies you to apply to graduate school. You may also use your degree to explore entry-level positions in the forensic psychology field.
In a bachelor's program in forensic psychology, you'll learn the basics of applying psychology to matters of the law. An internship during your undergraduate education can help you explore different careers.
Step 2: Complete Your Doctoral Degree
A doctoral forensic psychologist degree combines coursework, independent research, fieldwork, and a capstone experience. Options include a Psy.D. in forensic psychology or a Psy.D. in clinical psychology with a concentration in forensic psychology. Contact universities' admissions departments to learn which option can help you reach your career goals.
If you study full-time, expect to graduate in 4-5 years. You may graduate sooner if you already hold a master's in psychology.
Consider joining professional organizations to help you stay on track for graduation and launch your career, such as The American Psychological Association (APA) and the American Academy of Forensic Psychology.
Step 3: Gain Field Experience and Complete Exams
Depending on your state, you may complete up to half of your supervised experience requirement during your doctoral program. Fieldwork involves working alongside licensed forensic psychologists in different settings.
You take examinations after completing your doctoral degree. Typical requirements include the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP) and an ethics exam unique to your state (if applicable).
Step 4: Become Licensed or Certified by Your State Board
Jobs for forensic psychologists exist in every state. In California, you must hold a doctoral degree, show 3,000 hours of supervised experience, and pass the exams.
You must maintain your license by taking continuing education (CE) classes. Additionally, you can also pursue board certification in forensic psychology through the American Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP).
Start researching requirements during your undergraduate education. Your college's career counselors can help you plan your academic and professional future.
What Does a Forensic Psychologist Do?
Forensic psychologists interview witnesses, survivors, and suspects to help law enforcement professionals understand why a crime happened.
These interviews also reveal whether a psychological condition caused a suspect's actions. Forensic psychologists' court testimony can impact the outcome of a jury’s decision.
Some of a forensic psychologist's main responsibilities include:
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Performing specialized research for lawyers and law enforcement professionals -
Teaching law enforcement officers new methods to de-escalate dangerous situations -
Holding group and one-on-one counseling sessions for individuals who are incarcerated -
Providing court testimony on a suspect's state of mind.
Required Forensic Psychologist Skills
Forensic psychologists use many skills to work with law enforcement, suspects, survivors, and witnesses. These skills help them analyze a crime and provide expert testimony in court.
A forensic psychologist's skills include:
- Using critical thinking skills to analyze people's states of mind and emotions
- Analyzing the latest research to uncover new techniques and best practices
- Staying sensitive to others' psychological needs, even those accused of terrible crimes
- Improving skills through completing CE and networking with other professionals
Forensic Psychologist Salary
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that licensed psychologists earned a median salary of $85,330 in 2022. Psychologists employed by government agencies and hospitals made considerably more than their peers in other settings.
The BLS projects that jobs for psychologists will grow by 6% between 2022 and 2032, which is faster than average for all occupations. Many factors can impact your earning potential as a forensic psychologist, including your location and industry.
Frequently Asked Questions about Forensic Psychologists
How much do forensic psychologists make?
Forensic psychologists earn around $85,000 in median annual salary. Earning potential varies depending on experience, location, and industry. For example, psychologists working in governments or hospitals earn about $100,000 in median annual salary.
How many years does it take to be a forensic psychologist?
It takes 8-9 years of education to become a forensic psychologist. First, you'll need a bachelor's degree in psychology or a related field, which takes four years. Then, you can apply to doctoral programs in psychology, which take 4-5 years. You'll complete supervised clinical experience to qualify for a psychology license.
Do forensic psychologists investigate crime scenes?
You're more likely to find a forensic psychologist in a courtroom or police station than at a crime scene. That's because most forensic psychologists focus on analyzing criminal behavior to help law enforcement solve cases.
Forensic psychologists may also act as expert witnesses and testify during criminal or civil trials, provide mental health services to people who are incarcerated, or advocate for survivors of abuse or violence.
What is the best degree to become a Forensic Psychologist?
The best majors to become a forensic psychologist include psychology, criminal justice, criminology, and forensic science. You'll need a doctorate in forensic psychology degree to become a forensic psychologist. Many social science majors meet the prerequisite requirements for graduate-level programs in psychology.
What is the difference between criminal psychology and forensic psychology?
Both criminal and forensic psychology investigate the behavior of those convicted of crimes. However, criminal psychology focuses exclusively on crime, while forensic psychology is a broader field that includes civil law, survivor psychology, and legal psychology. For example, a forensic psychologist may act as a jury consultant.
Note: The insights on this page — excluding school descriptions — were reviewed by an independent third party compensated for their time by BestColleges. Page last reviewed March 15, 2024.
