Graduate School Round Table Discussion: Forensic Psychology Club
Today, the Forensic Psychology Club hosts a round table discussion on graduate school, covering various programs, application processes, and CV building. Guest speakers, including graduate students, share insights and benefits. Learn about the importance of graduate school for aspiring forensic psychologists and gain valuable tips on applying and obtaining letters of recommendation. Get ready to explore different programs and degrees in the field while enhancing your CV for future success.
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THE FORENSIC PSYCHOLOGY CLUB: THE FORENSIC PSYCHOLOGY CLUB: GRADUATE SCHOOL GRADUATE SCHOOL ROUND TABLE ROUND TABLE
Recap and Reminders Recap and Reminders Follow us on Social Media! Follow us on Social Media! Instagram: Instagram: @fsufpc Twitter: Twitter: @fsu_fpc @fsu_fpc Facebook: Facebook: FSU Forensic Psychology Club FSU Forensic Psychology Club Join the Join the Nole NoleCentral page if you aren t already on the roster Central page if you aren t already on the roster Today we welcome several guest speakers for a round table discussion on graduate school Today we welcome several guest speakers for a round table discussion on graduate school Various programs and degrees Various programs and degrees How to apply How to apply Etiquette for getting letters of recommendation Etiquette for getting letters of recommendation What is a CV? What is a CV? We will also discuss how to boost your CV and gain experience/ knowledge that will benefit you when you apply to graduate sch We will also discuss how to boost your CV and gain experience/ knowledge that will benefit you when you apply to graduate school ool Going to research conferences Going to research conferences Getting involved with coding Getting involved with coding @fsufpc
Why are we covering this topic? Why are we covering this topic? If you are interested in forensic psychology and want to go into this field, often you will need to go to graduate school If you are interested in forensic psychology and want to go into this field, often you will need to go to graduate school Because it is such a broad field, you can go into any range of programs, from master s to doctorate Because it is such a broad field, you can go into any range of programs, from master s to doctorate However, if you want to be a forensic psychologist specifically, you must go into a PhD program (preferably clinical However, if you want to be a forensic psychologist specifically, you must go into a PhD program (preferably clinical psychology) psychology) Our guest speakers are all graduate students who have been through the application process in various programs, and Our guest speakers are all graduate students who have been through the application process in various programs, and they are here to tell you about it and explain the benefits of their chosen programs they are here to tell you about it and explain the benefits of their chosen programs The application process includes forming your CV, as well as reaching out to your teachers, lab directors, previous The application process includes forming your CV, as well as reaching out to your teachers, lab directors, previous employers, etc. for letters of recommendation employers, etc. for letters of recommendation
Masters Programs Master s Programs If you want to go into this field but aren t exactly sure of where you fit in, a master s program is a great alternative to a If you want to go into this field but aren t exactly sure of where you fit in, a master s program is a great alternative to a doctorate program doctorate program Social work and criminology are two programs that are well Social work and criminology are two programs that are well- -suited to give you the hands Get to work with various populations Get to work with various populations Gain communication skills Gain communication skills Interacting with different people Interacting with different people Gain invaluable experiences through various internships Gain invaluable experiences through various internships How is it different from a PhD program? How is it different from a PhD program? Not as much of a time commitment Not as much of a time commitment More likely you will have to pay for this degree More likely you will have to pay for this degree oPhD programs are often funded, which make them much more competitive to get into PhD programs are often funded, which make them much more competitive to get into suited to give you the hands- -on experience you need on experience you need
Doctorate Programs Doctorate Programs suited for those of you who know where you want to be within the field and have no trouble committing to a much more time have no trouble committing to a much more time- -consuming program consuming program Programs range from 5 to 7 years Programs range from 5 to 7 years Completion of an internship in the last year of the program Completion of an internship in the last year of the program Unless you decide to do a PsyD (more to come), research is a big factor in these programs! Unless you decide to do a PsyD (more to come), research is a big factor in these programs! You will choose a lab director within the schools you apply to, and that person will be your guru You will choose a lab director within the schools you apply to, and that person will be your guru throughout your program throughout your program As previously stated, most forensic psychologists will complete a clinical psychology doctorate program As previously stated, most forensic psychologists will complete a clinical psychology doctorate program After this program, you would complete an allotted number of training hours and then take a 200 After this program, you would complete an allotted number of training hours and then take a 200- - question exam question exam If you pass, you become certified in forensic psychology! If you pass, you become certified in forensic psychology! This is a very lengthy process, and it can be overwhelming to think about, but it doesn t have to be! Take This is a very lengthy process, and it can be overwhelming to think about, but it doesn t have to be! Take it one step at a time it one step at a time These programs are well These programs are well- -suited for those of you who know where you want to be within the field and
Doctorate Programs (continued) Doctorate Programs (continued) 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 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 options and makes it easier to apply than if you just applied to a broad program If a school you are interested in doesn t have a forensic concentration/ track, don t freak If a school you are interested in doesn t have a forensic concentration/ track, don t freak out! out! oLook into possible clinical placements available in that area and see what kind of Look into possible clinical placements available in that area and see what kind of research the program conducts (there are a LOT of aspects of psychology that relate research the program conducts (there are a LOT of aspects of psychology that relate back to crime!) back to crime!)
What is a PsyD? What is a PsyD? PsyD programs are essentially PhD programs, without the research aspect PsyD programs are essentially PhD programs, without the research aspect Typically, these programs are not funded, so you are very likely to go into debt if you choose to do this program Typically, these programs are not funded, so you are very likely to go into debt if you choose to do this program However, once you finish, you can start working immediately, which means paying off these debts is not However, once you finish, you can start working immediately, which means paying off these debts is not impossible!! impossible!! PsyD programs are less likely to be APA accredited, which is crucial to any psychology graduate program PsyD programs are less likely to be APA accredited, which is crucial to any psychology graduate program PsyD programs are much less competitive than PhD programs PsyD programs are much less competitive than PhD programs Due to the lack of funding they receive (when you re paying your own way, programs become much less Due to the lack of funding they receive (when you re paying your own way, programs become much less competitive competitive) ) Viable option if you have absolutely no interest in research and are only interested in the clinical/ treatment side of Viable option if you have absolutely no interest in research and are only interested in the clinical/ treatment side of psychology psychology
How to apply to these programs: How to apply to these programs: For 99.9% of graduate school programs, you will apply the fall BEFORE you wish to begin to the program For 99.9% of graduate school programs, you will apply the fall BEFORE you wish to begin to the program For all programs: For all programs: You MUST take the GRE You MUST take the GRE oMost programs require a score between 140 and 160 Most programs require a score between 140 and 160 oPhD programs are much more competitive (within the realm of 160+) PhD programs are much more competitive (within the realm of 160+) GPAs vary, but generally, 3.5 and above is always a good place to be GPAs vary, but generally, 3.5 and above is always a good place to be CV/ Resume CV/ Resume
How to apply to these programs (continued): How to apply to these programs (continued): For Master s programs: For Master s programs: No research experience necessary No research experience necessary Typically, you will be asked to answer prompts about why you want to be in this program? Typically, you will be asked to answer prompts about why you want to be in this program? 2 letters of recommendation 2 letters of recommendation For PhD programs: For PhD programs: Research experience is a MUST Research experience is a MUST o You can get this through DIS positions, research assistantships, volunteering, etc. You can get this through DIS positions, research assistantships, volunteering, etc. 3 letters of recommendation 3 letters of recommendation Preferably from teachers and lab directors Preferably from teachers and lab directors Personal statement Personal statement o This should convey your interests, how they relate to the program you are applying to, and the ways in which This should convey your interests, how they relate to the program you are applying to, and the ways in which you would be a good fit for your chosen program you would be a good fit for your chosen program
Etiquette for Letters of Recommendation Etiquette for Letters of Recommendation You should ask teachers/ faculty, etc. that you have good relationships with You should ask teachers/ faculty, etc. that you have good relationships with Avoid asking teachers in large classes, unless you really connected with them, it is likely they won t Avoid asking teachers in large classes, unless you really connected with them, it is likely they won t remember you well enough to write an effective letter remember you well enough to write an effective letter If you studied abroad, DEFINITELY ask those teachers! Even if it was only for a short period of time, If you studied abroad, DEFINITELY ask those teachers! Even if it was only for a short period of time, you bond with your study abroad teachers in ways that just aren t possible on a regular college campus you bond with your study abroad teachers in ways that just aren t possible on a regular college campus Don t get intimidated! It can seem scary or awkward asking a previous teacher or employer for a letter Don t get intimidated! It can seem scary or awkward asking a previous teacher or employer for a letter of recommendation, but 9 times out of 10, they will be more than happy to write one for you! of recommendation, but 9 times out of 10, they will be more than happy to write one for you!
Etiquette for Letters of Recommendation (continued): Etiquette for Letters of Recommendation (continued): Choose wisely! Choose wisely! Pick teachers whose class you succeeded in Pick teachers whose class you succeeded in oBonus points if their class is one that directly applies to the program you are applying to! Bonus points if their class is one that directly applies to the program you are applying to! I.e. Forensic Psychology, Psychology and the Law, Mental Illness and Crime, etc. I.e. Forensic Psychology, Psychology and the Law, Mental Illness and Crime, etc. If you are in a DIS/ RA position, you will automatically get a letter of recommendation from your lab If you are in a DIS/ RA position, you will automatically get a letter of recommendation from your lab director director Fair warning: your lab director will typically be too busy for you to really connect with them, so we Fair warning: your lab director will typically be too busy for you to really connect with them, so we suggest you focus your energy on your graduate students and lab managers! These people are the suggest you focus your energy on your graduate students and lab managers! These people are the ones who will give opinions and input to the lab director when they are writing your letter ones who will give opinions and input to the lab director when they are writing your letter ! !
What is a CV? What is a CV? A CV is essentially an academic resume A CV is essentially an academic resume Focus should be on your academic and research achievements Focus should be on your academic and research achievements Work experience is typically only included if it relates to the program you are applying to Work experience is typically only included if it relates to the program you are applying to I.e. If you worked at a daycare and now you are applying for a child psychology I.e. If you worked at a daycare and now you are applying for a child psychology- - focused clinical graduate program graduate program Research experience should go above any work experience or school involvement Research experience should go above any work experience or school involvement Brag on yourself! Don t be afraid to make yourself look REALLY good by including anything and Brag on yourself! Don t be afraid to make yourself look REALLY good by including anything and everything of relevance that you have done in your academic career everything of relevance that you have done in your academic career focused clinical
What is a CV? (continued) What is a CV? (continued) CVs are different from resumes in that CVs are encouraged to be more than 1 page long CVs are different from resumes in that CVs are encouraged to be more than 1 page long If you re REALLY impressive, your CV can be 5 to 7 pages long! Don t be discouraged if it isn t, If you re REALLY impressive, your CV can be 5 to 7 pages long! Don t be discouraged if it isn t, we aren t all superhumans we aren t all superhumans High school is usually not included High school is usually not included Unless you did significant work such as dual enrollment, participated in research, or went above and Unless you did significant work such as dual enrollment, participated in research, or went above and beyond by going to conferences beyond by going to conferences The next slide will have an example of what your CV should look like! The next slide will have an example of what your CV should look like!
How to boost your CV: How to boost your CV: There are many, many ways to do this There are many, many ways to do this Getting involved in research: Getting involved in research: Check our August newsletter for links to DIS opportunities at FSU Check our August newsletter for links to DIS opportunities at FSU Once you are involved in research: Once you are involved in research: Don t be afraid to reach out to graduate students and speak up when you find something you d like to look into further Don t be afraid to reach out to graduate students and speak up when you find something you d like to look into further Get on projects that interest you! ! Get on projects that interest you! ! Conferences: Conferences: Gives you invaluable experience doing research Gives you invaluable experience doing research From developing a question to running analyses to getting your results From developing a question to running analyses to getting your results Presenting posters to like Presenting posters to like- - minded people minded people Potential for a future research paper!!! Potential for a future research paper!!! Coding: Coding: Knowing statistics and how to run analyses is often forgotten about, but these are skills that could really give you a leg Knowing statistics and how to run analyses is often forgotten about, but these are skills that could really give you a leg- - up up when applying to graduate programs when applying to graduate programs Common programs are SPSS, R, Common programs are SPSS, R, Jamovi Jamovi, and Python , and Python
Final Notes Final Notes This was a lot of information, so if you have any questions you can always reach out! This was a lot of information, so if you have any questions you can always reach out! We will consolidate this information into our September Newsletter, so keep an eye out for that later this month We will consolidate this information into our September Newsletter, so keep an eye out for that later this month Make sure you re up to date with our social media accounts so you don t miss out on any information! Make sure you re up to date with our social media accounts so you don t miss out on any information! Let s thank our guest speakers for talking with us today! Let s thank our guest speakers for talking with us today! Our next meeting will be held on 10/ 5/ 2020 at 7 P.M. via Zoom! See you all there! Our next meeting will be held on 10/ 5/ 2020 at 7 P.M. via Zoom! See you all there!
Are there any questions? Are there any questions?
