Forensic psychologists are key role players in crime investigation, victim assessment, counseling, and investigative research. Working as a criminologist sometimes might not expose you to the other fields and possibilities in criminal law and investigation.
A forensic psychology degree equips you with the tools to conduct proper research and employ psychological skills while dealing with offenders, victims, law enforcers, witnesses, and Judges.
Learning more about the benefits of this job will help you decide if you should get a degree in this field. Asides from the recent popularity that the field has gained in the media, you get the opportunity to engage people and help them become better versions of themselves.
If you are passionate about investigative laws, court proceedings, and justice, here are some top 10 reasons you should get a degree in Forensic Psychology
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Job Opportunities
Since there is a relatively low number of forensic psychologists, there are a lot of available Jobs to be taken.
On completing your degree, you could easily apply for jobs at Federal government institutions, correctional facilities, law enforcement agencies, hospitals, research centers, forensic laboratories, or even do private practice.
The demand for forensic psychologists will increase over an average year after year, and the job is highly rewarding
Good Pay
As of March 2020, Zip Recruiter reported that the average annual salary for a forensic psychologist is about $105,116 per annum. With Top Earners making an estimated $139 000 annually across the united states.
Help Officers To Apprehend Criminals
As a forensic psychologist, you may choose to work with law enforcement agents as a consultant. Many times, police officers depend on forensic psychologists to understand the mind of offenders and, consequently, help apprehend them.
In addition, you provide counseling services to police officers as regards how to best manage issues faced in their jobs
Help To Provide Justice
If you like to see Justice rightly served, forensic psychology is your best bet. As a forensic psychologist, you get to conduct the needed research to solve a criminal case. You get to provide psychological evaluations of offenders, victims, witnesses, and attorneys, which assists the Judge in making the best decisions.
In private practice, you could be hired by the court to evaluate the defendant or victim and present their informed opinions to the court as an expert. Attorneys and Judges work with forensic psychologists to make the best decisions regarding criminal investigations.
In situations where the defendant had a mental disorder at the time of the offense, will he duly report to the judge
Help Crime Victims
Victims of crimes like rape, torture, robbery are generally paid less attention to. As a forensic psychologist, you can help the police, attorneys, and judges to respond sympathetically to victims as they obtain information that is necessary regarding the crime.
You also observe victim behavior and recommend medical help when necessary.
Concerning risk factors that increase the chances of citizens being victims of crimes, forensic psychologists conduct the necessary investigations for government agencies to develop policies that reduce these risk factors
Give Criminals A New Life
While working in a correctional facility, you can employ your skills as a psychologist to provide the best available treatment to prisoners and convicts. With experience gained in behavioral assessment of offenders and legal consequences, you can offer meaningful solutions in the correctional system. Roles will involve;
- Organizing Counselling sessions
- Organizing Individual and collective therapy for inmates
- Creating treatment plans for challenges inmates
- Evaluating mental health
- Providing needed suggestions during parole hearings.
In addition, forensic psychology offers you the skill to help create working policies that effectively reduce recidivism rates. You also get the go-ahead to assist prisoners who may have suicidal tendencies, depression, adjustment disorders, personality disorders, and so on.
Contribute to making policies that reduce crime incidents.
Being a forensic psychologist gives you the flexibility that other fields in the legal system lack. While your job includes conducting research and creating criminal profiles which assist the police in fishing out criminals, you can, even more importantly, help the police and government agencies develop policies that reduce crime rates.
By studying the behavior of criminals, you detect the reason they have committed a crime and their tendency to do it again. Analyzing data on criminal behavior and their causes will help to proffer solutions that reduce crime incidences
How To Get A Degree In Forensic Psychology
Getting a degree in Forensic psychology will require a great deal of study. Here are some of the steps required to get certified as a forensic Psychologist
- Get an undergraduate degree in a related field
- Apply for a master’s or doctorate in an accredited institution
- Apply for an Internship
- Apply for license
- Maintain License
Working As A Professional Forensic Psychologist
A certification in forensic psychology leaves you with the liberty to choose from the many career opportunities available. You can choose to be a consultant, offering your service to law enforcement agents, juries, or private individuals.
You can choose to work as an advocate for crime victims. You can choose to be an investigative journalist or a clinical counselor. You can choose to work in correctional facilities or become a forensic social worker.
The list is endless, and the demand for forensic psychologists is projected to increase more than other occupations each year. As a forensic psychologist, you naturally develop compassion, exceptional attention to detail, critical thinking ability as well as objectivity, and superb communication skills.
Speaking directly and confidently with clients is an indispensable skill as a forensic psychologist. With it, you prove your credibility and expertise to those you work with, ultimately opening the door for increased pay and higher positions