Forensic psychologists are professionals who specialize in applying their knowledge in psychology to legal matters. Forensic psychologists work in public service, academia, and the private sector. Some routine engagements include the application of clinical skills such as evaluation and treatment in different forensic settings such as juvenile detention centers, courthouses, police stations, law firms, prison, and jails. Forensic psychologists might also be self-employed as consultants or expert witnesses (APA, 2018).
The Type of Work they Do
Forensic psychologists assist in a wide variety of legal matters such as mental state examinations to determine criminal defendants’ competency to stand trial, insanity, assessment of suitability to obtain child custody, violence risk assessment, dispute resolution, jury selection, personal injury cases and explanation of scholarly topics such as memory to jury. They study research on criminals and crime, conduct analysis and apply their findings to specific cases or to the general academic field. Some professionals in the forensic psychology find evidence, study crime scenes and develop criminal profiles. They give their opinions as expert witnesses to help identify whether or not a suspect was involved in the crime in question. They also work with victims in the criminal justice system and mental health facilities to help them cope with stress (APA, 2018).
Key Skills are Needed for the Role
One of the most frequent duties of forensic psychologists is the psychological assessment of people who are involved with the legal system in one way or the other. Therefore, it is critical to have training in forensic psychology and law. Secondly, they should possess solid clinical skills to be able to effectively carryout clinical assessment. Other skills include strong verbal communication skills, interviewing, case presentation and report writing. A combination of these skills set the foundation of the practice. They allow forensic psychologists such as child custody evaluations, counseling services to victims of crime, threat assessment for schools, death notification procedures, the assessment of post-traumatic stress disorder, screening and selection of law enforcement applicants, competency evaluations of criminal defendants and the delivery and evaluation of treatment and intervention and programs for adult and juvenile offenders (APA, 2018).
Education and Training Needed to Become a Psychologist
Individuals who want to pursue a career in forensic psychology should make sure that their education is focused on forensics, criminology, and psychology. There are different ways through which they can pursue their education. First, an individual can earn a bachelor's degree with a focus on criminal justice or criminology. Alternatively, a student can pursue a bachelor's degree in criminology or criminal justice with a focus on psychology. Courses that students may take in their degrees include psychology of deviance, abnormal psychology, and forensics. While there are master’s level degrees in forensic psychology, it is important for psychologists to have PsyD or Ph.D. degrees from Canadian Psychological Association (CPA) or APA-accredited doctoral program. Professionals should also have undertaken a predoctoral internship. Additionally, the candidate can apply for licensure and sit for a written or oral exam in their respective States. A practitioner can also seek certification as a diplomate from the American Board of Forensic Psychology.
Given that forensic psychologists are scientists, who compare data, test alternative hypotheses, professionals require a solid investigatory background and a strong science background. The skills are applicable in presenting written reports and giving court testimonies where scientific validity is an important factor. Therefore, becoming a successful forensic psychologist requires solid clinical psychology training and experience, critical thinking skills, legal knowledge, strong oral presentation skills, a firm grounding in empirical research and scientific theory, excellent writing skills, thorough knowledge of social and cultural issues and ability to maintain one's composure under stress at a minimum (APA, 2018).
Potential Funding for Training
There are numerous scholarships that can be of assistance to those pursuing education in the field of forensic psychology. They include Early Career Scholarship Program, Indiana Sheriffs' Association Scholarship, Ellis R. Kerley Forensics Sciences Foundation Scholarships, C.W. Post Forensic Science Scholarship and The Association of Firearm and Tool Mark Examiners Scholarship (APA, 2018).
Places where they Work
There are various career paths within the forensic psychology field. The career paths determine where practitioners work. They may work in court during trails, law enforcement agencies, institutions of therapy, correctional facilities, community health organizations, mental health institutions, academic setting and, probation departments (APA, 2018).
Future Prospects and Indicative Pay
The field is growing rapidly. Currently, American Psychology-Law Society has about 3,000 members. The median pay for forensic psychologists for the year 2016 was $75,230 in annual pay (BLS, 2017)
Pros and Cons of the Career
A career in forensic can be very exciting and demanding at the same time. One of the benefits of the profession is that the field offers a diverse career path. Professionals have the choice of working either in the public sector or private practice. Besides, the field is challenging and stimulating. It is a cutting-edge field where science meets law enforcement. The profession generally involves helping people. A chance to serve the community can be fulfilling to some people. Often, good reputation and experience are accompanied by high pay and there is a high degree of satisfaction that comes with the successful conclusion of a case.
Drawbacks may include the fact that an extensive education is required to become a practitioner. To get an entry-level job, individuals need a doctorate in psychology. It takes approximately five to seven years to complete a post graduate. Moreover, experience is necessary to be successful in the field. Without experience, it might be challenging to earn an income. Practitioners might have to put up with long work hours and be on call at odd hours of the day. The salary low for those individuals who are starting out. The career is characterized by a number of ethical challenges as consultants may have to take sides in a case (CIP, 2018).
Details of where Further Information Can be Found
Further information can be found in:
http://mastersinpsychologyguide.com/specializations/forensic-psychology
www.onlinepsychologydegree.info
www.apa.org › Practice Directorate › Guidelines for Practitioner
www.apadivisions.org › Division 41 › About the American Psychology-Law
www.forensicpsychologyonline.com
Educational psychologist
Defining what a Psychologist is
Educational psychologists are professionals in the science behind how human beings learn. They are experts in how humans learn and retain knowledge primarily in educational settings. Their roles include improving overall academic achievement, promoting positive behavior and good mental health, supporting diverse learners and creating positive, safe environment in schools. Courses may focus on social, emotional and cognitive learning processes, classroom environment, teaching and testing methods, behavioral, learning, and social problems and that may impede learning.
The Type of Work they Do
Educational psychologists conduct research that is relevant to education. For example, they may carry out research on how well people learn with a specific type of instruction or under certain settings. Through research, they can attempt to develop improved instruction techniques or learning methods that suit specific settings in order to ease learning and education as a whole. They also evaluate educational programs, testing methods and teaching methods to gain insights into problems and flaws that make it challenging for individuals to learn. In addition to evaluating educational resources, professionals in this field of psychology might also establish and develop new approaches and strategies, which make it easier for specific groups of learners to learn. They may also create and develop worksheets, instructional videos, textbooks, tests, lesson plans, and tests. Professionals in the field may focus on children, adult learners or certain learning disabilities or problems (APA, 2018).
Key Skills are Needed for the Role
Given that educational psychologists are involved in the assessment of learners and implementation of intervention techniques, they need skills that enable them to interact with others. They include effective communication skills, excellent listening skills, effective mediation and problem-solving skills, empathy, observational skills and ability to relate to and build rapport with children and adults (APA, 2018).
Education and Training Needed to Become a Psychologist
To start a career in educational psychology, individuals need to be registered with the American Psychological Association. The body requires that professionals first receive qualifications from accredited institutions. Universities are required to comply with the standards set by the Association in order to be recognized as accredited learning centers. It means that individuals must first earn a Bachelor's degree in psychology as the start point. A four year Bachelor's degree in psychology is an excellent starting point that allows learners to gain a deeper understanding of the basics of psychology. Some of the courses that inspiring professionals may take are such as early childhood education, developmental psychology, and educational psychology.
After the undergraduate degree, most inspiring educational psychologists find it necessary to earn more advanced degrees. Master's degrees and Doctoral degrees place practitioners in a better position to compete in the market and work in higher research positions. Developmental psychology and applied educational psychology may be combined at the master’s level. The training program consists of coursework in psychological theories, instructional formats, learning styles and processes, human development, developmental delays, teaching methods and styles, learning disabilities, family dynamics, sociology, and factors that impact the learning process. The program provides necessary tools and knowledge and tools to become a practitioner, researcher or educator (APA, 2018).
Potential Funding for Training
There are various sources of funds where students can obtain financial help. The first source of funds is scholarships offered by different graduate schools. Eligibility for the financial assistance may be based on such factors as merit, student's financial need, minority status, and community involvement. The second source of potential funding for training is the National Science Foundation through its NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program. The third source of assistance is the National Institutes of Health through its National Research Service Awards training grants and fellowships. Students may also seek funding from the Department of Defense through its National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate Fellowship. Other sources of financial assistance include State psychological associations (APA, 2018).
Places where they Work
Educational institutions, learning centers, community organizations and schools work with educational psychologists to improve learning and learning systems. The main role of educational psychologists in these settings is t enhance the learning process. They also work with private research centers, companies involved in the development of educational software and tools, governments, healthcare organizations, private practice, psychometric testing, and agencies. They may also engage in training students and teachers about how to use educational technologies, improving communication and teaching skills and improving the learning process for students with behavioral problems, developmental delays, and learning disabilities.
Future Prospects and Indicative Pay
The field has very appealing financial prospects. The salary of practitioners in the field varies based on different factors including experience, location, and organization. The median pay for 2016 was slightly over $67,000, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. It is possible to make more (BLS, 2017).
Pros and Cons of the Career
The main advantage is that the career of an educational psychology is exciting to individuals who like problem-solving, development of the well-being of people as well as those who want to work directly with children. A career in educational psychology is highly flexible especially for those working in schools and other educational institutions. Practitioners in this environment enjoy time off during school holidays. The demand for professionals in this field is growing as the education system become more competitive within the global system. The training requirements of different states have no substantial differences. Hence, it is not difficult to practice in different States. The opportunity to help others learn effectively and achieve in academics can be motivating and fulfilling. Since the career is connected to the educational field the working hours are usually during the day time.
Some may consider the fact that the field is always developing and evolving to be a disadvantage. A practitioner is required to keep up with current knowledge, network and continually learn. It is common for professionals to experience high-stress levels, especially when dealing with people who do not want to get help. Often, individuals work under tight schedules where they have to deal with a number of tasks within tight deadlines (CIP, 2018).
Details of where Further Information Can be Found
www.allpsychologyschools.com
www.aep.org.uk
www.apa.org/gradpsych
www.nasponline.org
References
APA. (2018). Educational Psychology. Retrieved from http://www.apa.org
APA. (2018). Forensic Psychology. Retrieved from http://www.apa.org
APA. (2018). Free money for education. Retrieved from http://www.apa.org
BLS. (2017). Occupational Outlook Handbook. Retrieved from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/
CIP. (2018). Educational Psychology Careers. Retrieved from https://careersinpsychology.org/educational-psychologist/
CIP. (2018). Forensic Psychology Careers. Retrieved from https://careersinpsychology.org/becoming-a-forensic-psychologist/
https://www.bls.gov
