Graduate School Programs in Forensic Psychology: Comparing Options and Application Process

THE FORENSIC PSYCHOLOGY CLUB: THE FORENSIC PSYCHOLOGY CLUB: GRADUATE SCHOOL GRADUATE SCHOOL ROUND TABLE ROUND TABLE

Options for Graduate School Options for Graduate School Master s Program Master s Program Not a significant time commitment Not a significant time commitment Typically, not funded Typically, not funded these programs these programs Hands Hands- -on experience through internships and coursework on experience through internships and coursework Not as intensive as a PhD or PsyD Not as intensive as a PhD or PsyD Because of COVID Because of COVID- -19, a lot of schools are waiving the 19, a lot of schools are waiving the GRE requirement for Master s programs (FSU included) GRE requirement for Master s programs (FSU included) PsyD/ PhD Program PsyD/ PhD Program PsyD: PsyD: Less competitive than a PhD program Less competitive than a PhD program No funding No funding very likely you d go into debt very likely you d go into debt Less research Less research- -focused, more practice focused, more practice- -oriented Less likely to be APA accredited Less likely to be APA accredited PhD: PhD: Very competitive, more likely to be APA accredited Very competitive, more likely to be APA accredited State State- -funded funded students are typically paid to be in these students are typically paid to be in these programs programs Research Research- -focused focused A variety of concentrations and tracks within a general A variety of concentrations and tracks within a general program program students pay out of pocket for students pay out of pocket for oriented

How do I apply to these programs? How do I apply to these programs? Every program will require a basic resume or a CV (curriculum Every program will require a basic resume or a CV (curriculum vitale Writing a statement of purpose or personal statement Writing a statement of purpose or personal statement Usually, you will follow prompts that ask why you are interested in the program and/ or the field Usually, you will follow prompts that ask why you are interested in the program and/ or the field Most programs will require three letters of recommendation Most programs will require three letters of recommendation Reach out to past professors, principal investigators, and relevant employers Reach out to past professors, principal investigators, and relevant employers More often than not, these people will be happy to write you a letter of recommendation! More often than not, these people will be happy to write you a letter of recommendation! Unless otherwise specified, all programs listed require a passing GRE score Unless otherwise specified, all programs listed require a passing GRE score For master s and PsyDs programs, these scores can be between 140 and 160 For master s and PsyDs programs, these scores can be between 140 and 160 For a PhD program, impressive scores tend to be 160+ For a PhD program, impressive scores tend to be 160+ vitale) )

Why is a CV so important? Why is a CV so important? Whichever graduate program you apply to, a CV is Whichever graduate program you apply to, a CV is typically required typically required Short for Curriculum Vitale Short for Curriculum Vitale Academic, research Academic, research- -focused resume focused resume Typically, at least 2 pages long Typically, at least 2 pages long Research experience goes at the top and relevant work Research experience goes at the top and relevant work experience/ skills goes under that experience/ skills goes under that

What if I want to be a Forensic Psychologist? What if I want to be a Forensic Psychologist? To specifically be a forensic psychologist, you are required to go into a clinical psychology PhD program To specifically be a forensic psychologist, you are required to go into a clinical psychology PhD program Within clinical programs, there are concentrations and tracks Within clinical programs, there are concentrations and tracks Not many schools offer forensic concentrations/ tracks, which both narrows your options and makes it easier to apply Not many schools offer forensic concentrations/ tracks, which both narrows your options and makes it easier to apply than if you just applied to a broad program than if you just applied to a broad program After you complete the PhD program, you are required to complete a year After you complete the PhD program, you are required to complete a year- -long internship in your area of interest Following this, you will take a comprehensive exam Following this, you will take a comprehensive exam Passing this and getting licensed certifies you as a forensic Passing this and getting licensed certifies you as a forensic psychologist! psychologist! long internship in your area of interest

What are my other options? What are my other options? Not everyone has the desire or time to commit to a six Not everyone has the desire or time to commit to a six- -year PhD program and the subsequent licensure, and that is completely year PhD program and the subsequent licensure, and that is completely understandable! There are a lot of things you can do within the field of forensic psychology without necessarily being a lice understandable! There are a lot of things you can do within the field of forensic psychology without necessarily being a license nsed d forensic psychologist forensic psychologist With a master s degree in criminology/ criminal justice: With a master s degree in criminology/ criminal justice: Crime scene investigator, police officer, probation officer, forensic analyst Crime scene investigator, police officer, probation officer, forensic analyst https://www.topuniversities.com/student https://www.topuniversities.com/student- -info/careers info/careers- -advice/what advice/what- -can With a master s degree in social work: With a master s degree in social work: Social worker, substance abuse counselor, juvenile justice case worker Social worker, substance abuse counselor, juvenile justice case worker https://www.mswguide.org/careers/criminal https://www.mswguide.org/careers/criminal- -justice justice- -social social- -work/ work/ With a master s degree in forensic psychology: With a master s degree in forensic psychology: Victim advocate, jail supervisor, correctional counselor, forensic social worker Victim advocate, jail supervisor, correctional counselor, forensic social worker https://www.thechicagoschool.edu/insight/career https://www.thechicagoschool.edu/insight/career- -development/career development/career- -options can- -you you- -do do- -criminology criminology- -masters masters options- -masters masters- -degree degree- -forensic forensic- -psychology/ psychology/

What about with a bachelors degree? What about with a bachelor s degree? With a Bachelor s in criminology: With a Bachelor s in criminology: Corrections officer, forensic science technician, loss prevention specialists, police officer Corrections officer, forensic science technician, loss prevention specialists, police officer https://www.thebalancecareers.com/what https://www.thebalancecareers.com/what- -can can- -you With a Bachelor s in social work: With a Bachelor s in social work: Mental health assistant, caseworker, family service worker Mental health assistant, caseworker, family service worker https://www.waldenu.edu/online https://www.waldenu.edu/online- -bachelors bachelors- -programs/bachelor with with- -a a- -bsw bsw- -degree degree With a Bachelor s in psychology: With a Bachelor s in psychology: Polygraph examiner, child welfare placement worker, criminal investigator, probation/ parole officer Polygraph examiner, child welfare placement worker, criminal investigator, probation/ parole officer https://www.apa.org/ed/precollege/psn/2018/01/bachelors https://www.apa.org/ed/precollege/psn/2018/01/bachelors- -degree you- -do do- -with with- -a a- -criminology criminology- -degree degree- -974613 974613 programs/bachelor- -of of- -social social- -work/resource/what work/resource/what- -careers careers- -can can- -you you- -enter enter- - degree

How can I get involved while Im still an undergraduate student? How can I get involved while I m still an undergraduate student? Directed Individual Study Directed Individual Study Especially important for clinical psychology PhD candidates (look for labs that align with your interests!) Especially important for clinical psychology PhD candidates (look for labs that align with your interests!) ohttps://psy.fsu.edu/php/undergraduate/undergraduate.php?_tr=1# https://psy.fsu.edu/php/undergraduate/undergraduate.php?_tr=1# Internships Internships http://criminology.fsu.edu/careers/ http://criminology.fsu.edu/careers/ https://psy.fsu.edu/php/undergraduate/undergraduate.php?_tr=7_1 https://psy.fsu.edu/php/undergraduate/undergraduate.php?_tr=7_1 Within forensic psychology specifically: Within forensic psychology specifically: oPublic Defender s office, State Attorney s office, law firms, Public Defender s office, State Attorney s office, law firms, oThe prison system , The Innocence Project, the FBI The prison system , The Innocence Project, the FBI oThe Florida State Hospital Forensic Unit, rehabilitation centers The Florida State Hospital Forensic Unit, rehabilitation centers

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