collageThis information provides up-to-date information on criminal psychology degree requirements offered at for those considering attending one of the best universities in usa for criminal psychology or seeking admissions for one of its graduate programs.
What Is a Criminal Psychology Degree?
Criminal psychology examines the thoughts, feelings, events, and behavior of offenders. Graduates with a criminal psychology degree often work in various branches of the criminal justice system, including law enforcement, the court system, and corrections. Other graduates work at mental health facilities, nonprofits, government organizations, or private practices.
Aspiring criminal psychologists often begin their educational journey with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, clinical psychology, counseling, or forensic psychology. Psychology and counseling programs frequently offer relevant concentrations in criminology or criminal justice. Criminal justice bachelor’s graduates earn an average salary of $56,000 annually, according to PayScale.
Criminal psychology students interested in careers as administrators, forensic psychologists, or academics often pursue master’s or doctoral degrees. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), psychologists enjoy promising job growth projections and earned an annual median salary of $80,370 in 2019.
Why Get a Degree in Criminal Psychology?
Criminal psychology degree programs often boast fascinating, interdisciplinary curricula that increase student understanding of society and criminal behavior. Graduates can pursue a variety of exciting careers that offer strong salary potential. The following list outlines several benefits of earning a criminal psychology degree.
The Role of Criminal Psychologists in Criminal Investigations
There are four major ways criminal psychologists are involved in criminal investigations:
Clinical: Criminal psychologists are often required to provide their clinical judgment. To do so, they utilize a variety of assessment and interview tools. Police departments then utilize the results of these assessments to assist them when conducting investigations.
Experimental: Many times, criminal psychologists perform research used to assist an investigation. This work may include conducting experimental tests for the purpose of illustrating a point, such as false memory and eyewitness credibility.
Actuarial: Criminal psychologists utilize statistics to inform a case. For example, they may provide the probability of an event taking place or the likelihood of an offender reoffending.
Advisory: Criminal psychologists serve as advisors for police departments, helping them determine how to best proceed with an investigation. For example, they may recommend the best way to interview an individual or cross-examine a witness.
Forensic science technicians
Human resources managers, all otherSocial and human service assistants
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
Criminal Psychologists
Criminal psychologists, also known as forensic psychologists, are mental health professionals who work within the justice system. As a criminal psychologist, your duties will include creating suspect profiles for law enforcement agencies, diagnosing offenders who might be criminally insane, overseeing jury selections, testifying in legal cases, and evaluating children in custody hearings. In this field, you’re likely to work full-time during normal business hours.
Criminal psychologists may accompany police offers to crime scenes in order to help evaluate evidence. Moreover, with crimes believed to be perpetrated by serial murderers, criminal psychologists may be invited to help assess and discover patterns and decipher clues. Due to the potentially dangerous circumstances involved in law enforcement, many criminal psychologists, especially those employed by the FBI, will undergo firearms training.
A master’s degree, philosophical doctorate (Ph.D.) or psychological doctorate (Psy.D.) in criminal psychology, forensic psychology, or clinical psychology is required to enter the field. A state-issued license is also required. Voluntary certifications exist as well and may improve one’s career outlook. In addition,1-2 years of professional experience, which can be started during college, is also recommended. Some of the key skills needed include strong verbal and written communication skills, analytical skills, observational skills, patience, problem-solving skills, the ability to empathize with and console relatives of victims, strong intuition skills, and the ability to identify and interpret patterns. Criminal psychologists can expect to earn a median salary of $58,246 per year as of October 2019, according to Payscale.com.
Earn a Bachelor’s Degree
Aspiring criminal psychologists begin their education by earning a bachelor’s degree. No specific area of study is required, though concentrating studies in psychology or criminal justice may be beneficial. Students might choose to take courses in human behavior, psychoanalysis, crime detection, forensic science, and criminology to prepare for graduate school.
It may also be a good idea to volunteer in a forensic setting. According to the Society of Police and Criminal Psychology, students pursuing a degree in criminal psychology may benefit from volunteering in a forensic setting, like a parole office or abuse shelter, to gain hands-on experience. Additionally, volunteering may help a student stand out when applying to graduate schools.
Prospective criminal psychologists should also consider participating in an internship in a forensic or criminal setting. An internship can help a student gain valuable experience. Other relevant settings can include mental hospitals or court service centers. Some schools may even require completion of an internship in order to graduate.
Earn a Graduate Degree
Criminal psychologists are generally required to obtain a master’s degree, Doctor of Philosophy, or Doctor of Psychology. Master’s degree programs generally take two years of graduate-level study to complete, while doctorates usually entail five years of graduate-level study and may include a year of postdoctoral clinical training.
Some schools offer programs specifically in criminal or forensic psychology, while others offer programs in clinical psychology with an emphasis or concentration in forensic psychology. Either option will satisfy licensing and certification requirements as long as the school is accredited. Toward the end of a doctoral program, students are typically required to submit a dissertation derived from research conducted throughout their studies. A dissertation is generally not required in psychological doctorate programs, though students often complete practical work.
Gain Experience
In order to obtain mandatory state licensure, criminal psychologists must typically have at least a year of experience in the field. Experience can be gained through clinical practicums, internships, or residencies. Universities typically assist students in finding institutions to gain the necessary work experience. This experience may be conducted through government agencies at the city, state, or federal level; private consulting firms; hospitals; prisons; courts; or police departments. Experience is usually gained under the supervision of a licensed criminal psychologist.
Obtain Licensure
All criminal psychologists who work in counseling or clinical settings must meet their state’s licensure requirements. In most cases, state licensing boards require psychologists to hold doctoral degrees, complete an internship, and have at least a year of professional experience. Applicants must then pass an exam to obtain licensure and may have to take additional classes to renew licensure regularly.
The successful candidate should also consider becoming board-certified. While certification is not required in this field, obtaining voluntary certification can help a criminal psychologist stand out as a professional in the field. Certification is administered by the American Board of Forensic Psychology. To become certified, criminal psychologists must have 1,000 hours of postdoctoral experience or training in addition to 100 hours of specialized forensic psychology training. Candidates must then pass a set of written and oral exams to become board-certified.
Complete Continuing Education
Continuing education can help a criminal psychologist stay current with industry trends and changes in laws while ensuring the value of his or her expertise to the criminal justice system. Additionally, continuing education is often required to renew licensure and certification. The American Academy of Forensic Psychology offers approved continuing education workshops covering topics such as contemporary issues in forensic psychology.
In summary, in order to become a criminal psychologist, prospective workers must earn a bachelor’s degree, complete a graduate degree, gain experience, obtain licensure, and complete continuing education workshops.
Career and Salary Outlook for Criminal Psychology Graduates
Criminal psychology graduates can qualify for criminal justice careers across the three major areas of the criminal justice system: law enforcement, courts, and corrections. Some criminal psychology bachelor’s degree graduates pursue law enforcement careers, such as crime analyst and FBI agent. Salaries for these positions vary based on work experience and other credentials, but generally range from $47,000-$65,000 annually, according to PayScale.
Other criminal justice graduates work within the court system as victim advocates or forensic psychologists. Victim advocates often hold bachelor’s degrees and earn annual salaries averaging $35,415, while forensic psychologists need doctoral degrees and make about $69,855 annually.
Many criminal justice graduates advance their careers and salaries by pursuing advanced degrees or certifications that build expertise in specialized areas.
Career Requirements
| Degree Level | Master’s degree, Ph.D., or Psy.D. |
| Degree Field | Criminal psychology, forensic psychology, clinical psychology |
| Licensure and Certification | A state-issued license is required; voluntary certifications available |
| Experience | 1-2 years of professional experience; can be started during college |
| Key Skills | Strong intuition, analytical, observational, problem-solving, and verbal and written communication skills; patience; ability to empathize with and console relatives of victims; ability to identify and interpret patterns |
| Salary (2020)* | $58,246 (Median salary) |
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