5 Tips to Start Your Career in Forensic Psychology

Career in Forensic Psychology

Forensic Psychology is a unique field that offers you access to many really exciting jobs. You will not regret getting a degree in this exciting field, and you can access so many really exciting careers once you have this degree in hand. This is one of the more niche fields within the psychology field, but it can deliver big results if you are looking for a really rewarding career.

Forensic Psychology is a field that allows you to work with the police, work in jury selection, or work with patients to help them with PTSD and other mental health concerns related to crimes or incarceration. There are so many ways that you can use this kind of degree to make a career that will be rewarding every single day.

If you are ready to learn more about the tips that you need to be aware of to start your Forensic Psychology career, you need to read on!

Tips to Start Your Career in Forensic Psychology

1.       Check on the Licensing Requirements For Your State

If you are planning to work in a specific location, you will need to look into the licensing requirements for the state. Making sure that you know what you will be required to do before you can start working will help you apply for jobs right after you are done with your degree program. You will likely need to take the EPPP, but there might be other tests that are necessary for your area.

Licensing is not often a difficult process, but it involves paying some fees and scheduling your licensing process. Making sure that you have your license in hand or can prove that you are working on obtaining it can open more job opportunities for you right out of school. This is a good rule of thumb for any environment where you want to use your Forensic Psychology degree, so you will need to have this on your radar.

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2.       Consider Board Certification

There is a board certification for Forensic Psychology that will allow you to be certified by the American Board of Professional Psychology. This can be a big benefit for jobs that are in specialty fields as it attests that you understand the professional standards that must be upheld for your role. This can also help you to get jobs with management responsibility if this is your goal.

This certification requires that you pass an oral exam and that you meet the entry standards for the certification process. You will also need to take a written test to complete the process. This is a bit of a lengthy process, but it can help you to secure jobs that you might not otherwise be able to get.

3.       Consider Internships

Suppose you can get an internship in the line of work that you are looking to get hired in when you have your degree, do so. Specialty and niche jobs can be harder to find, and you might have a specific employer in mind. If you want to be able to network and help increase your chances of getting the job that you want after school, an internship can be a big help for your cause.

Internships can also give you necessary skills that you can put on a resume, and that will allow you to interview more effectively as well. Hands-on experience of all kinds can be very helpful down the road when you are looking for jobs, so you should not discount this opportunity when it arises.

4.       Think About Getting a Criminal Justice Degree

Many of the jobs that are the most intriguing and enjoyable that are connected with a degree in Forensic Psychology will also require a criminal justice degree of some kind. If you did not already secure a degree or a minor in this field while you were getting your undergraduate degree, you could add this education to your list of accomplishments to help you to get the jobs that you really want.

This might be a requirement for jobs like crime analysts or positions that work with the police. Law enforcement and government jobs can often require at least some equivalent experience to a criminal justice degree, so you might want to be prepared to tackle this before applying for positions that might be adjacent to crime analysis or working in the law enforcement sector.

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5.       Look Into a Wide Array of Jobs

When you are applying for positions that will utilize your Forensic Psychology degree, you will need to make sure that you are not missing out on great opportunities by looking within one narrow field. There are so many positions that will be open to you with this degree in hand. You will want to look into police-adjacent positions, juror selection jobs, work with the government or the county, and more.

Missing out on a really ideal job can be easy when you are shopping within a very narrow window of opportunity. The wider your net, the more likely you are to find the job that you have always wanted.

Forensic Psychology is a Very Interesting Career Path

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There are so many things that you can do with a degree in Forensic Psychology. You will find that there are many rewarding career paths that you can select from that will make a huge difference in people’s lives as well. Forensic Psychology offers you the chance to work on research, be involved in the criminal justice system, or provide mental health support to people in their most dire of times.

If you have been thinking about this career path, these tips will help you get your career on track before you have even left school. Being ready to seek the jobs that you have always wanted is key to landing on your feet after your college degree is complete. If you are prepared for your degree process and the licensing that you will need to get once you have graduated, there will be nothing holding you back from finding the Forensic Psychology degree of your choice!

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