Forensic Psychology Salary and Employment Prospects for 2012 and Beyond

January 2, 2012 By Patricia Zapf Comments

Forensic psychology is an intriguing field of work and study but two of the most important questions to ask before deciding to pursue any field of work or study is whether there will be employment opportunities available when you complete the requisite educational requirements and whether the expected salary is enough for you to live. This article describes the current state of employment and salary prospects for forensic psychologists for 2012 and beyond.

Employment Prospects for Forensic Psychologists

In a nutshell, employment prospects for forensic psychologists are great. The United States Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that career employment for forensic psychologists is expected to grow by about 15% through 2016. Not only is this a faster growth rate than average but it is also one of the fastest growing fields within the broader domain of psychology.

Those who currently work in the field know that there is a dearth of forensic psychologists in the correctional system and that it would take hiring thousands of forensic psychologists to make up for the shortfall in this area. Thus, the correctional system throughout the United States will likely be one of the largest employers of new forensic psychologists over the next decade.

Academic institutions, research institutions, and think tanks are also expected to hire a number of forensic psychologists over the next decade. As more and more national attention is directed towards the successful reintegration of offenders back into the community, additional resources, including the retention of forensic psychologists in both practice and research settings, are expected to be directed towards this goal.

Although a doctoral-level degree is the requirement to practice as an independent psychologist is most every state, certain states, such as New York, are revising their licensing laws to allow masters-level individuals to become licensed as counselors thereby increasing the employment opportunities for those who do not hold doctoral-level degrees. These changes are a result of the strong need for psychological service providers in these states. Thus, employment prospects tend to be good for both doctoral and masters-level practitioners.

Salary Prospects for Forensic Psychologists

The salary that one earns as a forensic psychologist is typically dependant upon the level of education (typically doctoral vs. master’s level), the type of setting in which one is employed (e.g., correctional institution, academic institution, community mental health center, forensic hospital, private practice), and the number of years of experience in the field. Other factors may include geographic location, with higher salaries typically associated with larger cities and more densely populated areas.

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates that the mean annual salary for forensic psychologists is $86,510, with a range from $41,200 to $119,940. These are aggregated data that do not take into consideration the number of years of experience of the individual.

The American Psychological Association’s Practice Organization, which includes individuals who are licensed as psychologists and who are actively engaged in the practice of psychology, surveyed their members as to their annual gross income from work as a psychologist and found the following:

Salary Range	Percentage of Respondents
Less than $30,000	4.9%
$30,000 – $59,999	12.8%
$60,000 – $99,999	36.7%
$100,000 – $150,000	28.5%
More than $150,000	11.8%

This represents the salary earned across all subtypes of psychology; however, forensic psychologists typically make more than most other types of psychologists so it is probably safe to assume that these numbers are a bit on the conservative side for the subspecialty of forensic psychology.

For those who are interested in some state-specific information from the Bureau of Labor Statistics about the salaries of forensic psychologists, please see this article on the typical forensic psychology salary.

For those who are interested in some setting-specific information on the salaries of forensic psychologists, including academic and research settings, clinical settings, legal settings, correctional settings, and private practice, please see this article.

All things considered, the time is right for forensic psychologists. This is an interesting field with a lot of upside for employment and salary, not to mention rewarding work that is often intellectually stimulating and intriguing.

If this is your first visit to this website, please have a look around as there are a number of good articles on education and training in forensic psychology, career profiles of various types of forensic psychologists, and salary and employment information as well as resources for those already working in the field. Enjoy!

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Filed Under: Career & Salary Info, Featured, Salary Info Tagged With: career, career in psychology, clinical forensic psychology, clinical psychology jobs, clinical psychology salary, forensic psychology, forensic psychology careers, forensic psychology salary, jobs in psychology

Forensic Psychology Salary Information | Settings

September 12, 2011 By Patricia Zapf Comments

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y1.jpg” alt=”" width=”225″ height=”225″ />One of the primary considerations for many students who are thinking about the possible career choices in which they might be interested is, of course, salary. This article provides some information regarding the salary range that one could expect to earn with a career in forensic psychology.

As with any career field, the amount that one can expect to earn depends upon a number of factors. In forensic psychology, those factors include: level of education, setting in which one works, the types of activities in which one engages, and the number of years of experience.

Level of Education

In general, either a Masters or Doctoral degree is necessary to engage in the activities of a forensic psychologist. It is possible, after obtaining a Bachelor’s degree, to work in some of the same settings as forensic psychologists, but the pay earned with a Bachelor’s degree will be substantially less than that earned by those with Masters or Doctoral degrees.

In general, the starting salary for a Masters degree in psychology is typically about $10,000 higher than the starting salary for those with Bachelors degrees in psychology. In addition, it is generally the case that those with Masters degrees will earn higher salary increases than those with Bachelors degrees.

In a similar vein, the starting salary for those with Doctoral degrees in psychology is again about $10,000 higher than for those with Masters degrees in psychology, although this can vary considerably by type of setting.

As a very general statement, from data collected across the United States and averaged (so these can vary considerably by professional setting and geographic location), those with Bachelor’s degrees in psychology can expect to begin their careers with salaries in the $30,000s, those with Master’s degrees can expect to begin their careers with salaries in the $40,000s, and those with Doctoral degrees in psychology can expect to begin their careers with salaries in the $50,000s.

Professional Settings

Forensic psychologists work in a wide variety of professional settings. Some of these settings include: academic or research settings such as universities, law schools, or research institutions; clinical settings, such as community mental health clinics, forensic psychiatric facilities, or state hospitals; legal settings, such as court clinics, or mental health courts; correctional settings, such as at jails, prisons, halfway houses, or community probation offices; as well as a wide variety of private practice settings, depending upon one’s area of expertise. Salaries can vary widely across these different settings and typically depend upon the number of years of experience of the forensic psychologist.

Academic/Research Settings

In terms of academic settings, private universities, law schools, and research institutes typically pay higher salaries than public universities. As a general statement, doctoral-level psychologists can expect to earn annual salaries ranging between $55,000 and $130,000, depending upon their experience and rank.

Clinical Settings

Clinical settings can vary widely and so the salaries that forensic psychologists earn in these settings also vary. As a general statement, a Doctoral-level forensic psychologist can probably expect to earn between $50,000 and $90,000 in most types of forensic clinical settings. Again, this will vary with experience and rank. Administrative positions tend to be higher paying and private facilities tend to pay higher salaries than public or state clinical settings.

Legal Settings

The types of legal settings in which forensic psychologists work can include mental health courts or court clinics. Again, salaries can vary widely and depend on one’s experience and expertise. As a general statement, doctoral-level forensic psychologists who work in these types of settings can expect to earn about the same salaries as those working in state clinical facilities (somewhere between $50,000 and $90,000).

Correctional Settings

There is a great need for forensic psychologists within the correctional system. This system is one of the largest employers of Masters-level forensic psychologists. The annual salaries of forensic psychologists within the correctional system depends upon the number of years of experience in the system and the educational attainment of the individual, with doctoral-level psychologists earning more than master-level psychologists. Masters-level forensic psychologists in the correctional system can expect to earn annual salaries of about $40,000 to $80,000 depending upon their level of experience and number of years working in the correctional system. Doctoral-level psychologists can expect to earn annual salaries of about $50,000 to $140,000 depending on their experience, number of years working in the system, and whether they have administrative responsibilities.

Private Practice

Forensic psychologists in private practice determine their rate, typically by the hour, so it can be difficult to calculate an annual salary since the hours vary considerably. Some forensic psychologists choose to work only a few forensic cases each year but may earn large sums of money for this work. The hourly rate that a forensic psychologist charges varies widely and is typically dependent upon his or her experience and area of expertise. Generally, forensic psychologists charge more per hour for their time than do non-forensic clinical psychologists since the legal issues inherent to forensic psychology place the psychologist at a higher risk for litigation and since forensic psychology is an area of specialization. Hourly rates for forensic psychologists can vary between $150 and $600 (or even higher) depending upon the type of forensic work that is being conducted and the experience and expertise of the forensic psychologist.

For more information on the salary level of psychologists and forensic psychologists, please see the post entitled Forensic Psychology Salary Information and other related posts under the Forensic Psychology and Education and Training tabs on this site.

Filed Under: Career & Salary Info, Forensic & Clinical Psychology, Salary Info Tagged With: career in clinical forensic psychology, career in psychology, forensic psychology salary

Forensic Psychology Overview | Subspecialties, Licensure, Salaries, and Employment

June 21, 2011 By Patricia Zapf Comments

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150×150.jpg” alt=”" width=”150″ height=”150″ />Forensic Psychology

The field of psychology and law involves the application of scientific and professional aspects of psychology to questions and issues relating to law and the legal system. There are a number of specialties that psychologists may pursue within the larger area of psychology and law. This field encompasses contributions made in a number of different areas–research, clinical practice, public policy, and teaching/training among them–from a variety of orientations within the field of psychology, such as developmental, social, cognitive, and clinical.

While mental health professionals and behavioral scientists have been involved with the legal system in a variety of ways for many years, the decade of the 1970s witnessed the beginning of more formalized interactions. These interactions included the establishment of the first psychology-law program at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln, the formation of the American Psychology-Law Society (now Division 41 of the American Psychological Association), the initiation of an interdisciplinary journal (Law and Human Behavior) and a book series (Perspectives in Law & Psychology). Additionally, the American Board of Forensic Psychology was established in 1978 for the credentialing of psychologists specializing in forensic issues.

Since that time the field has grown steadily, with an increased number of pre-doctoral and post-doctoral training programs, more journals and books devoted to psychology and law, the development of a specialized set of ethical guidelines for forensic psychologists, a regular conference held every March in addition to the annual summer meeting at the American Psychological Association convention, the involvement of psychologists in filing amicus briefs before the U.S. Supreme Court on issues relevant to psychology and law, and the presentation of a regular workshop series in clinical-forensic psychology by the American Academy of Forensic Psychology.

Subspecialties

Clinical-Forensic Psychology

Clinical-forensic psychologists who are primarily interested in forensic practice may work in secure forensic units, community mental health centers providing specialized services, jails, prisons, court services units, specialized agencies, or in private practice conducting forensic assessment and treatment relevant to legal decision-making. They may also be involved in teaching, training, or supervision in a department of psychology, a medical school, a hospital, an interdisciplinary institute, or a clinic. Such professionals may also be involved in conducting research and scholarship in areas such as violence risk assessment, treatment needs and response, and decision-making strategies.

More information on the clinical-forensic psychology subspecialty.

Cognitive Psychology

Cognitive psychologists are trained primarily as researchers and teachers in the areas of human perception and memory, and tend to focus their research and consultation on such legally-relevant questions as eyewitness identification, the accuracy of memory, and the detection of deception. Their employment settings are typically university-based. Their research can be extremely important when courts must weigh testimony about events that may have occurred months or even years ago. Providing the results of such research to courts and legislators by summarizing the “state of science” on a given question is a task of some cognitive psychologists. Recently, cognitive psychologists have begun to work with law enforcement agencies to develop investigative procedures to enhance the likelihood of accurate memory and testimony about crimes and accidents.

More information on the cognitive psychology subspecialty.

Community Psychology

Community psychologists are likely to work in academia as well as out in the community. Community positions include working in government agencies, non-profit agencies, foundations, and community-based advocacy and service settings. For community psychologists who conduct law-related research, activities can span the range of policy and law formulation, implementation, evaluation, and change. For example, they might design and evaluate juvenile delinquency prevention and treatment programs, research adolescents’ competence to participate in legal proceedings, investigate the impact of court involvement on the functioning of crime victims, or evaluate the effects of health care and welfare reform.

More information on the community psychology subspecialty.

Developmental Psychology

Developmental psychologists also tend to work in academic, medical, and professional school settings. They often become involved in legally relevant research and consultation with children and adolescents. There are important questions regarding the testimony of children (accuracy and influences, for example), the knowledge and decision-making of adolescents involved in the juvenile justice system, and the needs of children and families involved in divorce or separation that are among the areas addressed by the research and consultation of developmental psychologists. In addition, such psychologists may become active in attempting to develop policy regarding children and families in the forms of federal and state legislation, or the implementation of such law on the community level.

More information on the developmental psychology subspecialty.

Social Psychology

Social psychologists are more likely to work in academic positions, such as psychology departments, medical schools, schools of criminal justice, or research and policy institutes. Frequently such individuals are very active in research, graduate training, and undergraduate teaching. They may also be involved in consulting with attorneys, courts, and agencies on issues relevant to their research in legal areas; examples include witness credibility, jury selection, and decision-making influences. Some non-university-based social psychologists work as consultants on a full-time basis, providing services to trial attorneys, while others may be employed by state or federal agencies (e.g. corrections, mental health) to conduct relevant research.

More information on the social psychology subspecialty.

Dual Degrees

Some psychologists receive more extensive training in law and obtain a J.D. (Juris Doctorate) or M.L.S. (Master of Legal Studies) in addition to their training in psychology. Such individuals may become involved in legal scholarship in areas of law relevant to the behavioral sciences, and may work in law schools as well as in other academic or applied settings described above. In addition to law teaching and scholarship, such individuals may become involved in psychological research or practice (depending on their specialization within psychology), or legal practice as an attorney.

Licensure and Certification

For psychologists who are primarily researchers, educators, consultants to courts, and policy-makers, licensure or certification is usually not necessary. While such licensure might occasionally enhance the credibility of a psychologist before an individual court, many psychological scientists do not need to obtain licensure or certification status as a psychologist. It is accurate to describe them as experts on the empirical evidence relevant to a specific question. It is not accurate to describe them as delivering a diagnostic or forensic assessment service on a given individual, which is more closely related to the kind of “health care” service for which a license would be important. However, psychological scientists need to be well trained in their basic area of specialization, as well as familiar with the law (particularly the applicable statutes, case law, rules of evidence, and general expectations in the legal context) in order to be effective in consultation and testimony. They must also be knowledgeable about the law when conducting their research, so they can design studies and use variables to address questions that are particularly important and relevant to the law.

For psychologists whose practice involves the delivery of forensic assessment or treatment services, several levels of training and licensure/certification are important. First, it is important that such individuals be trained in the delivery of applied services (e.g., clinical, counseling, or school psychology) to individuals, groups, and families. Second, it is necessary to be trained specifically in the delivery of forensic services; such training should involve supervised experience and didactic work, and should also incorporate information about the legal system, applicable law and procedures, and standards and guidelines for forensic practice. Third, such psychologists should become licensed in the jurisdictions in which they practice. Finally, for psychologists wishing to specialize in the area of clinical-forensic practice, especially those who did not receive specialized training in graduate school, it is helpful to become board certified by the American Board of Forensic Psychology, a specialty board of the American Board of Professional Psychology.

Salaries and Compensation

Salaries for psychologists can vary according to the setting and nature of the work. In academic settings, the salary for a beginning assistant professor in 2011 might initially be in the $50,000-$68,000 range in Departments of Psychology. Why the wide range? There are many complicating factors, including whether institutions are private or public, whether they offer doctoral degrees, masters degrees, or only bachelors degrees, whether they are located in states with strong economies, etc. But generally, salaries will be somewhat higher at large research-intensive universities as compared with smaller teaching-oriented colleges. Salaries in medical school settings are typically somewhat higher, as they are established in comparison with medical professionals. Medical school positions, however, are very often limited in terms of the “hard money” they pay, meaning that an individual joining a Department of Psychiatry as an assistant professor might be expected to “earn” between 50-100% of his or her salary by obtaining grants, contracts, or through clinical services income. Even in university and other interdisciplinary settings, however, there is growing pressure on psychologists to generate sources of salary support to repay the department or school. Note that many academic psychologists are on an institution’s payroll for only the academic year (9 or 10 months), and some supplement their income by paying themselves additional summer salary from research grants, private consulting, etc.

Salaries also vary in applied settings. Psychologists entering correctional settings will find striking differences between different systems. The median annual salary in the Federal prison system is about $50,900 for a masters-level position and about $85,000 for a doctoral-level psychologist. Salaries are likely to be slightly lower in a state correctional facility or local jail, although there can be a wide range of salary levels.

There is variability as well in starting salaries in hospitals and community agencies. Currently, a starting salary for a doctoral-level psychologist will be between $55,000 and $70,000 in most settings. Occasionally it may be less, particularly in more rural settings, and salaries may be greater in some states and urban settings. Some psychologists should expect to see their salaries increase at a rate roughly consistent with inflation (i.e., 3% a year), although this may not occur in universities or organizations experiencing financial difficulties. Generally a good rule of thumb is to determine the cost of living adjustments paid to staff of a particular organization during the last five years, in assessing the prospects for the next five.

Psychologists also have the advantage of being able to establish a part-time practice or consulting business in addition to working with an organization or at a university. For example, clinical psychologists might see patients or do evaluations for courts. Experimental cognitive or social psychologists might occasionally consult on legal cases and/or give expert testimony in court cases. Some organizations and most universities have rules governing this, so it is important to know whether this is permissible. Part-time private practice does allow a psychologist to earn income at an hourly rate consistent with that charged by others in the field and geographic area. Such rates may vary a good deal (e.g., between $150/hour and $400/hour). Obtaining work at private rates is typically dependent on the psychologist’s reputation, as well as the amount of private forensic work that is available in a given area.

For more information on salaries.

Employment Opportunities – Demand for Forensic Psychology

Forensic psychology, and the larger area of psychology and law, have both enjoyed steady growth during the last three decades. The field has not been affected by the changes in our health care system to nearly the same extent as the “fee for service” delivery of psychological services in other areas. Research, consultation, and practice in areas of psychology relevant to the law should continue to expand over the next ten years. It is important to note, however, that while the need for services has remained constant or expanded, there is increased effort within psychology to provide relevant training, important research, and guidelines for the practice that should mean that those specializing in this area will be among the highest in demand for the delivery of services to courts, attorneys, and law-makers.

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Filed Under: Career & Salary Info, Career Information, Education & Training, Forensic & Clinical Psychology, Salary Info Tagged With: career, forensic psychology, forensic psychology careers, forensic psychology education, forensic psychology salary, forensic psychology training, psychology careers

Forensic Psychology Salary Information | 2011

May 31, 2011 By Patricia Zapf Comments

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When students come to talk to me about getting into graduate school and earning a degree in forensic psychology one of the most common questions is “how much can I expect to earn”? This is a good question and certainly one to consider amongst all the variables involved in a career choice. This article provides information on the earning potential of a forensic psychologist.

There are, of course, a host of other variables to consider in addition to salary, such as: whether you have the determination and drive to complete a doctoral degree; whether you would be able to handle working in forensic settings; and whether you would be fulfilled with this type of work. Interestingly (to me, at least), I never once considered how much I would make in my decision to enter this field; although, in some respects, I wish that I would have. I considered variables such as a wide variety of roles and responsibilities (so as not to get bored with my career choice), career opportunities, and flexibility (so as to be able to manage my own time, as opposed to “clocking in” at a job). I guess I just assumed that a doctoral degree would net a high-paying job. Truth be told, there is a good amount of variability in the salary that a forensic psychologist might earn but, relatively speaking, it is a profession that pays well. Not as well as some—such as business, dentistry, or software development—but well. And, of course, the salary you earn depends upon the type of employment you obtain (and all accounts confirm that you will obtain employment). The thing to remember about forensic psychology is that you have a lot of different options and a lot of potential roles so you are easily able to supplement any salary with additional income through private practice or consulting.

In a nutshell: job prospects and salaries for the field of forensic psychology look great. Forensic psychology is one of the fastest growing fields within psychology. The field of forensic psychology is in a growth stage and the need for forensic psychologists is expected to grow by around 15% through 2016, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics; a faster rate of growth than the national average. If you’ve been reading other posts on this website you will know that there is a dire need for psychologists within the correctional and mental health systems. This demand is growing and is one of the primary areas of employment opportunity within this field.

Forensic Psychology Salary

Recent data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates that the mean annual salary for forensic psychologists is $86,510, with a range between $41,200 – $119,940. These are aggregated data that do not account for years of experience but provide a reasonable expectation regarding what one can earn with a doctoral degree in psychology.

Percentile

10%

25%

50%

(Median)

75%

90%

Annual Salary

$41,200

$64,710

$89,900

$106,090

$119,94

The following are some data provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics that might assist in career planning; however, it is important to note that these data reflect salaries at a place of employment and thus do not take into account any additional income earned through private practice or consulting, which can be a lucrative prospect.

Private/Independent Practice or Consulting – Forensic Psychology Salary – Forensic Psychologist Salary

The money to be earned in private practice or consulting in clinical forensic psychology tends to higher than that earned for private practice or consulting in clinical psychology (non-forensic). The primary reason is the additional experience and training required to be a consultant in forensic settings or for forensic issues. Private practice or consulting rates vary by experience, credentials, geography, and type of consulting but an average hourly rate for these services can range from $150 – $450 an hour. The most important caveat here is that in order to engage in private practice or consulting that involves working with forensic populations, you must be licensed; thus, you must have obtained a doctoral-level degree (PhD or PsyD). These opportunities are not available to individuals who have earned a Masters degree.

Forensic Psychology Salary – Forensic Psychologist Salary – By State

The following Bureau of Labor Statistics data show the states with the highest employment level for forensic psychologists:

State	Annual mean salary
California	$96,000
Florida	$96,380
New York	$90,590
Maryland	$97,560
Texas	$82,460

The following Bureau of Labor Statistics data show the top paying states for forensic psychologists:

State	Annual mean salary
Arizona	$102,310
New Hampshire	$97,710
Maryland	$97,560
Florida	$96,380
California	$96,000

The following Bureau of Labor Statistics data show the metropolitan areas with the highest employment levels for forensic psychologists:

Metropolitan area	Annual mean salary
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Glendale, CA Metropolitan Division	$88,990
New York-White Plains-Wayne, NY-NJ Metropolitan Division	$101,180
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV Metropolitan Division	$101,760
Baltimore-Towson, MD	$85,040
Boston-Cambridge-Quincy, MA NECTA Division	$78,660
Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL	$83,380
Chicago-Naperville-Joliet, IL Metropolitan Division	$99,930
Pittsburgh, PA	$82,120
Milwaukee-Waukesha-West Allis, WI	$76,120
San Antonio, TX	$84,210

The following Bureau of Labor Statistics data show the top paying metropolitan areas for forensic psychologists:

Metropolitan area	Annual mean salary
Jacksonville, FL	$127,580
Miami-Miami Beach-Kendall, FL Metropolitan Division	$125,290
Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, AZ	$105,950
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV Metropolitan Division	$101,760
New York-White Plains-Wayne, NY-NJ Metropolitan Division	$101,180
Tucson, AZ	$100,010
Chicago-Naperville-Joliet, IL Metropolitan Division	$99,930
Edison-New Brunswick, NJ Metropolitan Division	$98,760
Eugene-Springfield, OR	$97,920
West Palm Beach-Boca Raton-Boynton Beach, FL Metropolitan Division	$97,070

Image courtesy of Bureau of Labor Statistics

Filed Under: Career & Salary Info, Education & Training, Forensic & Clinical Psychology, Salary Info Tagged With: clinical psychology salary, forensic psychology salary

Clinical Forensic Psychology – Information on Salary, Jobs, Careers, and Schools and Colleges Offering Graduate Programs

May 23, 2011 By Clarissa Comments

What is Forensic Psychology?

It is quite typical that when people hear about clinical forensic psychology they think of getting into a criminal’s mind, getting their hands dirty with collecting evidence at a crime scene, and studying cases over and over in detail. This is the stereotype that most people have about forensic psychology; however, there is much more to forensic psychology than these common perceptions.

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Forensic Psychology, according to the American Board of Forensic Psychology, is “the application of the science and profession of psychology to questions and issues relating to law and the legal system.” Forensic psychology is a specialization that deals with concerns that occur at the interface of law and psychology. Those who practice forensic psychology are not necessarily forensic psychologists by training; they may be counselors, neurologists, or clinical psychologists (to name just a few professions) who offer or who are invited to offer their expertise to analyze crimes, testify, or provide recommendations in criminal or other legal cases.

This (narrowly-defined) field within psychology may be conceptualized by some as a relatively new area of expertise, with its history beginning in 2001 when the American Psychological Association recognized it as specialty area. However, the roots of forensic psychology extend deep and are traced by some to Wilhelm Wundt’s laboratory of forensic psychology in Leipzig, Germany.

The demand for forensic psychologists is increasing. The exposure that this field has received in recent years from books, articles, movies, and television programs has increasingly caught the attention of interested students considering this as a career option. Therefore, it is helpful to know what types of activities forensic psychologists engage in, what type of job you can expect to get after completing a degree in forensic psychology, and what are the best schools that offer this type of degree program.

What Does a Forensic Psychologist Do? All about Forensic Psychology Careers

A career in clinical forensic psychology will require you to work in many different areas of the legal system thus, having continuing education is important. This program is not all about being famous or working in the FBI or getting your hands dirty on a case. This job requires learning and being patient.

Forensic Psychology Jobs – What You Can Do After the Degree

Those who hold a degree in forensic psychology can work in any career within the justice system. Some work in the courtrooms, while there are those who choose to work at the police department. Some may choose to work at correctional facilities; there are also those who choose a career as a college professor. Depending on their personal reasons, there are those who study serial killers, offenders and juvenile delinquents. Job openings for those in this field are never running out.

In all these jobs though, skills in research, analysis and profiling are certainly part of the requirements. There is an assessment for any one who wants to get a career in forensic psychology to check whether the person has these skills.

Forensic Psychology Programs – Scope of Study

An introduction in forensic psychology always starts the program. The instructors usually will start you on Bartol’s Introduction to Psychology and other handbook and journals of psychology to get you warmed up on your studies. After learning the essentials and history of the major, they will get you into more details of the program. It is also a necessary part of the course to gain training in handling and dealing with people so internships is definitely part of the course syllabus almost every semester. There will be a lot of evaluations throughout the course so as you can track whether you’re indeed learning and you’re getting a hang of the program. By the end of the course you should be familiar with legal terms, your profiling skills should be excellent, and your familiarity with the Journal of Forensic Psychiatry and Psychology should be great.

Forensic Psychology Graduate Programs – Is It Needed?

Slots for Forensic Psychology bachelor’s degree program are only a few. The path for those who want to pursue a career in forensics is to get in this field and get a course in a different psychology major in college and then take a masters degree and eventually get into a doctoral program to be a PhD or PsyD. Studying further will get you a higher chance of getting that dream job or pay. Some choose to get in medical school to pursue a career in psychiatry. There are also times that a professional choose to enter into law school to be able to take their career further. No matter what step you choose to take, it is important to keep in mind that to master forensic psychology it is a must to gain knowledge and experience from top universities offering a graduate program.

Forensic Psychology Schools – How Do You Choose?

There are now a number of schools offering a degree in forensic psychology. Some are more famous than the others because of their rankings and how far they are taking their scale in advertising their programs. Whatever school you choose, it is important that you take into consideration not only their rankings but also their ethical and moral standards, if it is in line with your own; after all you are the one schooling and absorbing the knowledge from them.

Internships are also vital in this program, so it would be great to know in what company or organization they have an affiliation with when it comes to accepting students as apprentice or interns. It’s usually the internship program of the schools that defines whether they really support their students in getting excellent education.

Forensic Psychology Colleges in the Country

As of current, there are only a few colleges offering forensic psychology courses. There are only a few names that come to mind if you’re checking on a bachelors degree in forensic psychology, the most noted schools are Argosy University and Marymount University.

All the others such as John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York (NYC), University of Denver, Massachusetts School of Professional Psychology and American Academy of Forensic Psychology offer the program with a masters of Arts (MA) degree and a doctorate degree.

Forensic Psychology Degree Online – Is there Such a Thing?

The answer to this is yes. Some colleges also offer online option to those who want to gain their graduate degrees at home. Topics, modules and exams are given and administered over the Internet. Spotlighted university offering online courses are The American College of Specialist Psychology and Argosy University. The Chicago School of Expert Psychology also has certificate and master’s degree that they offer through distance education.

Is the Course Worth It? Forensic Psychology Salary

After getting a bachelor’s degree, studying the majors and getting an evaluation, the next thing to consider is the worth of the program. Although they say money is not everything, it is still perfectly normal to have an outlook of success, in which the common measurement is the salaries. According to Payscale.com, for those new in the field it is normal to have a salary of about $53,500 to $57,224. It can shoot up to as much as $86,000 depending on years of experience.

The salary is not capped as a forensic psychologist can get as many consultations and justice system participation so depending on their credibility and reputation, their salary can rise through side jobs and court case evaluations.

Clinical Forensic Psychology is a vocation for some and career for others but no matter how you feel about it, it is important that you gain the necessary knowledge to be the best in this field.

Clinical Psychology – Masters And Graduate Programs And What You Need To Know About The Field

May 15, 2011 By Clarissa Comments

One specialization in psychology, as mentioned in the previous post, is clinical psychology. If this subject interests you and you want to learn what careers you can find or you want to know if this is indeed the best option for you, then read on as we define and give you a thorough knowledge of clinical psychology.

Clinical Psychology

What is Clinical Psychology?

In a description from Wikipedia, clinical psychology is ” an integration of science, theory and clinical knowledge for the purpose of understanding, preventing, and relieving psychologically based distress or dysfunction and to promote subjective well-being and personal development. “In other words, this facet of psychology deals with having the methodological and intellectual skills needed to study human behavior. This study not only focuses on counseling and education but also in conducting assessment and intervention. It involves a deep understanding of human individuality and takes into consideration some environmental factors that affect a patient’s mind and attitude.

Some think that clinical psychology is the same as psychiatry. Although there are similarities, there are also a lot of differences. Psychiatry, focuses mainly on providing treatment through medication while clinical psychology focuses training on research to evaluate the effectiveness of a treatment. Another notable difference between them are the title they hold after college. A psychiatrist comes out of medical school, thus, is called a Doctor of Medicine while a clinical psychologist earns either a PhD or a PsyD. Additionally, a clinical psychologist will have to complete more clinical internships and is required to have at least a year of personal psychotherapy experience.

Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology – Handbook for Clinical Psychologists

Mental health practitioners need to be abreast in new treatments and innovations. They have to study constantly, research and follow the new guidelines and programs set for them, thus a journal was founded — the Journal of Clinical Psychology. According to Wiley.com, this journal is a peer-reviewed forum aimed at getting and sharing the newest information and processes for those who practice in the field of mental health. These journals are being published eight times a year and include comprehensive articles, notes, brief reports and news about the program of study.

Clinical Psychology Masters and Graduate Programs – Who Offers Them?

A lot of schools are now offering a clinical psychology degree. But if you are serious about getting career advances taking this course from a well-known school with solid foundations on psychology and mental health practice is better versus just taking it in any school unbeknown to employers. Some popular community colleges and universities offer a masters or doctorate degree in clinical psychology that one will not have a hard time choosing.

Notable names in the field, are of course, Harvard University and Yale University in Connecticut. Emory University, a private research university is also well-known in their ranking in psychology graduate program. Northwestern University also offers a wide array of psychology specialization, forensic and clinical psychology can be taken as bachelor of arts and doctoral degrees.

For ideas on schools offering courses in clinical or other specialization in psychology, read on and check which one will work best for you.

In the west, particularly in the state of Arizona, Western International University and Brown Mackie College have great history of providing excellent education in the psychological field. The Alliant International University in California and its Mexico city campus offers APA approved doctoral and masteral programs as well. Other schools in California offering the program are University of California Santa Barbara (UCSB), University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) and Palo Alto University. The Utah State University also has top-caliber psychology programs. The Colorado University and Argosy University in Denver in Colorado also have managed to get a great reputation in the psychology field. Meanwhile, Ohio has the Toledo University in Ohio, Michigan has the University of Michigan and University of Rochester and Wayne University in Detroit. Wisconsin boasts of University of Wisconsin-Madison, the states of Indiana has the Indiana University in Bloomington. In the Northwest, Idaho University, University of Wisconsin, University of Montana and University of Oregon are the best choices.

The Midwest boasts of psychology courses available to students. A Parent who wants their child to stay at a college near their place can choose from Illinois University, University of Illinois Chicago (UIC), Northwestern University, University of Minnesota in Minneapolis University of Iowa & Washington University in Missouri.

In the Northeastern part of the United States, there are several colleges and universities offering the program, most of them maintaining good reputation and rankings in being the top school in the US. New York city has Syracuse University, Columbia University, Fordham University and New York University (NYU). Pennsylvania has Lehigh Valley University, Temple University and University of Pittsburgh while University of Massachusetts, Boston University and Clark University is the pride of Massachusetts. New Jersey is not to be left behind because they have comprehensive psychology programs at the Rutgers University.

Lastly, the South also has a great population of psychology universities that master psychological education. Duke University in North Carolina, George Mason University in Virginia, Vanderbilt University in Tennessee, University of Memphis and University of Maryland (MA) are the first to come to mind when thinking about human behavior programs. University of Houston and Our Lady of the Lake University tops the Texas list while University of Georgia, Western Kentucky University and University of Miami in Florida leads in their respective states.

There are also top psychology schools found outside of the United States. Some of them namely, the British school, Suffolk University and York University in Ontario. Some schools also offer online associates, undergraduate and grad programs. To some the convenience of the settings of an online school attracts them versus traveling or moving states to get a degree.

Associated Clinic of Psychology, APA and SDN – Networks Involving Clinical Psychology Students and Professionals

There is a consortium and network of medical and mental health professionals all around United States that aids clinical psychologists and students alike in their mission to impact people to have a healthy outlook in life. These organizations and bodies also help them in getting involved in social circles of mental health professionals by conducting annual forums and gathering around the country.

In the state of Minnesota, one organization is the Associated Clinic of Psychology which is well-known for their mission of providing the best suite of mental health services. They have clinic-based services as well as in-home services. Most practitioners in the state associate with this group to get better exposure and experience.

Meanwhile, the largest association of psychologists, the American Psychological Association (APA) handles accreditation, checking of requirements and review of schools and their educational standards.

Consequently, practitioners of the field also partner with the Student Doctor Network, a group that has a huge coverage when it comes to practicing almost all the sciences. They organize meet-ups and conferences for medical professionals as well.

Clinical Psychology Jobs and Salaries – What Are Your Options?

So you’ve decided that you would want a career in clinical psychology because you are determined to learn how an apple keep dementia away, what is green psychology and how bowling helps in sports psychology. You say to yourself that you want to be the James Calhoun of your generation and contribute for the good of the industry. But the main thing you are thinking of are the answers to the questions, how much will you earn and what will you exactly do? What are the requirements in getting a career in clinical psychology?

Getting a job in psychology will require you to undergo a rigorous process. Aside from the internship that you need to finish in school, an interview and series of tests are required for yo to get a job. Most of the times you start of as an assistant but that is a great stepping stone in getting the required experience for you to be able to operate your own clinic.

How much does a clinical psychologist earn, you ask? It depends largely on what state you intend to practice but according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2009, the average earnings of a clinical psychologist is $72,310. Which also coincides with Payscale.com’s tally of $51,815 and $90,557 depending on other bonuses and profit-sharing.

Given all these information and data, surely clinical psychology is something that will definitely make you grow, financially and even in finding your purpose. Aside from being able to provide for your family, you will also be able to help a lot of people in their dilemmas by providing expert mental health advice.

No wonder a lot of Americans now consider clinical psychology as a great career as well as a vocation.

Filed Under: Career & Salary Info, Career Information, Education & Training, Forensic & Clinical Psychology, Salary Info Tagged With: Argosy University, associated clinic of psychology, clinical psychology, clinical psychology graduate programs, clinical psychology jobs, clinical psychology salary, forensic psychology, harvard university pscyhology, jobs in psychology, Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, masters in clinical psychology, psychology careers, schools in US offering psychology, suffolk university, what is clinical psychology, yale university psychology, york university psychology