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This paper is going to explain the steps it takes to become a forensic psychologist. It will address what I plan on doing with my future and my career goals while explaining how to obtain those goals. There are certain college courses and curriculum a person must complete and also work experience needed to become a forensic psychologist.
Degree Plan
The major I chose for my master’s degree is forensic psychology. Forensic psychology is a type of psychology that involves the law. This career can involve many different tasks like evaluating if someone is mentally stable enough to stand trial, work in government agencies, custody or visitation evaluations, and even discrimination in the workplace. When someone pleads insanity, they must be evaluated first and this is something I would like to do in the future and if not, it would still be interesting to study. Courts use forensic psychologists as expert witness when someone is on trial.
After I finish taking my core classes and extra courses that have been assigned, I will be taking the comprehensive exams. I chose this method over the thesis because I tend to do better with a series of tests rather than one long one that you must go into detail about. I feel that by taking the comprehensive exam I could grasp the concepts and methods more thoroughly and be able to explain what I have learned over the years.
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When you want to get board certified as a forensic psychologist there are a set of rules and tasks that much be completed. Board certification is done by the American Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP). In my state there aren’t really any masters level certified people because they want you to have a PhD in forensic psychology. You start by getting a bachelor’s degree in psychology then a master’s in forensic psychology. Eventually you get a PhD in forensic psychology and you have to have supervised hours with professionals. Once this is complete you take an exam and if you pass and make sure all your fees are paid then you will be licensed. In other states you can become licensed or certified at the masters degree level instead of having a PhD.
Steps and Requirements
I currently live in the state of Kansas and I found it difficult to get information on what someone needs to accomplish before becoming licensed. They have specific steps you must take to accomplish this, and you start by getting a bachelor’s degree in psychology. Next you must get a master’s degree in forensic psychology. After this you have to get a PhD in forensic psychology and also get some internships that show you know and understand how to process and use these psychological methods. Once this is complete you have to pay some fees to take the board exam and if you pass this you are eligible for licensing.
Everything state has their own rules for licensing, so you always have to check. Some states will allow people to get certified or even licensed with only a master’s degree and other courses that have to be completed. There are some states that even want you to have completed volunteer work along with your internships. In Kansas the people that decided whether you get licensed or not is the American Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP).
Additional Requirements
Every state has different rules and regulations and in Kansas for what I have found the rules are very basic. But in some cases, the American Board of Professional Psychology required you to put in some volunteer work as well as extra internship hours. There are also rules on the types of internships you need because they want to make sure you are using the work and theories you have learned and are able to now practice. There are also certain fees you have to pay for the exam and applications and such and every state has a different fee so that is worth checking out.
Career Plan
Career Goals
I have thought a lot about what I want to accomplish and what goals I would like to set for myself and my future. By the time I reach graduation I would like to have all my goals written down with optional ways on how to achieve them. I would like to start by looking into internships around my town or the towns around and hopefully obtaining at least one. Next, I would like to work in a state hospital so I can get some experience with mentally ill patients and see how the professionals counsel and help them.
After this I would like to work in a private practice facility and or in a court like setting. Eventually I would like to go back to college and end up working in a hospital setting permanently. I think that going back to college and making sure I am keeping up with the current rules and practices is ideal. In 10 years, I would like to be settled down in a job I’m comfortable with and making sure it is a permanent one.
Additional Education, Licensure, or Credentialing
If I am going to reach my goals and succeed in what I want I will have to work harder and do more research. Since in Kansas they don’t let you be licensed until you have a PhD I will have to finish my masters with good grades so I can go back to college and get a PhD. I am currently looking for internships available in my town or towns around me because I want to get an internship where I can use what I have learned over the years. I would like to be able to find a job in a mental health facility which is a challenge because they won’t hire anyone unless a college requests them to. I have learned so much this week about how to become a forensic psychologist and how much further I have to go to reach my goals.
Career Center Resources
I have checked out the Purdue Global career center and honestly, I didn’t find much. I tried to look up jobs and careers in my town but the only one listed was a CVS store. I am sure that this resource would be great for other people who live in an area that has more jobs available. This resource is helpful and gives you hints on how to get a better career such as submitting a resume to employers to become more eligible. I could use this resource if I was planning on moving away because It shows what areas have jobs available and also organizations that are associated with Purdue Global.
Other Purdue Global Resources
Purdue Global gives so many different resources for its students to use. I tend to use the writing center because you can submit a paper and have professionals review it and give feedback and hints on how to better your work. Making sure you are writing professionally and formally is important when you are in college and even when you start working in a career you chose. The writing center at Purdue Global has many different areas to help you write more accurately and you can submit papers as many times as you need. Using all the resources you can will help you write correctly and make you sound professional.
Resources Outside of PG
There are so many resources available whether it is on the internet or in your community. I know a few people in my town that are counselors and psychologists so talking to them about where I should go next to reach my goals will be helpful. I have been to the mental health facility here and I would like to get an internship there so I can gain more experience then what I have currently. I tend to go onto the internet and try to research what it takes to reach the goals that I have and the specific skills and such that need to be accomplished. I would like to get an internship so I can learn more and gain connections with people that know more about this field of study than I do.
References
- Bank, S., & Packer, R. (2007). Expert witness testimony: Law, ethics, and practice. In A.M. Goldstein (Ed.), Forensic Psychology: Emerging topics and expanding roles (pp. 421-445). Hoboken, NJ: J. Wiley & Sons.
- Melton, G., Petrila,, J., Poythress, N., & Slobogin, C., Lyons, P., & Otto, R. K. (2007). Psychological evaluations for the courts: A handbook for mental health professionals and lawyers (third edition). New York: Guilford.
- KansasPsychologylicensurerequirements: Rethreived from: https://www.psychologydegree411.com/licensure/kansas/
