What is Forensic Psychology?
Forensic Psychology is an exciting field that combines psychology and law. It involves applying psychological principles to legal and criminal justice settings. Forensic psychologists examine and study people who are part of legal cases, provide their expert opinions in court, and help with criminal investigations.
Forensic Psychology Specialisations
Forensic Psychology degrees offer several specialisations that link to different interests and career paths. Some of the most popular specialisations in Forensic Psychology include:
- Criminal Profiling;
- Correctional Psychology;
- Juvenile Justice;
- Police Psychology.
These specialisations are commonly pursued with a Master's in Forensic Psychology or a related field.
What will you learn during a Forensic Psychology programme?
During a Forensic Psychology degree, you will explore the intersection of Psychology and the legal system. You will learn a range of specialised skills which are a must for this profession, and this is the type of knowledge you will gain:
- understanding of criminal behaviour, its causes, and its impact on society;
- the application of psychological theories and research methods to analyse and solve real-world cases;
- skills in interviewing and assessing individuals.
Courses may cover topics such as:
- Psychopathology, where you learn about different mental illnesses and disorders;
- Criminal Profiling, which teaches you how to identify possible suspects;
- Forensic Assessment, where you learn to evaluate a person on things like their competency to be on trial or take criminal responsibility;
- Eyewitness Testimony teaches you how to work with people who witness crimes;
- Criminal Justice Procedures, where you learn about the different procedures which are part of a criminal process.
The Forensic Psychology degree prepares you to work on criminal cases with theoretical knowledge and practical experiences, such as internships or practicums, which will provide valuable hands-on training in forensic settings.
Skills required to study Forensic Psychology
A degree in Forensic Psychology has a big focus on understanding how people think and behave. You need to be objective and be able to handle difficult or emotional situations as you will deal with many types of criminal cases. Apart from that, other important Forensic Psychology degree requirements are communication skills and the ability to analyse complex situations.
What can you do with a Forensic Psychology degree?
What you can do after a Forensic Psychology degree often depends on whether you study only for a Bachelor's or get a Master's degree as well. But some popular and rewarding jobs in Forensic Psychology include:
- Forensic Psychologist;
- Criminal Profiler;
- Victim Advocate;
- Correctional Counsellor;
- Research Analyst.
View all PhDs in Forensic Psychology. Keep in mind you can also study an online PhDs in Forensic Psychology.