7 Career Paths with a Master’s Degree in Forensic Psychology

Updated on March 15, 2022
GsmyAg21sK5mqmGWD9FfTmLG5MuRMfdgNIQX3SZQjlLJzdevKh9aC7s57AfaBeoznaddOdeBSGsCeCL0zOsSBMX3BTfG 2wYVv L0RIfu8o8mdXKB4Ssemw5n35OO7Y5ARN1 V4z

Photo by MD Duran on Unsplash

Are you considering working towards your Master in Forensic Psychology but don’t know what you want to do with it yet? A degree in forensic psychology can open many different careers up to you! Plus, the field is constantly growing, and there are many specialized areas within it.

If you’re looking to enter forensic psychology, there are many careers that you should consider. This article will cover seven career paths that you can take. Let’s get started!

1. Jury Consultant

A jury consultant has many responsibilities in the court system. They work with attorneys and provide the jury with essential information on a case. Consultants also evaluate testimony, select jury members, and offer consultations to attorneys.

One of their primary responsibilities is to choose jurors for cases. They research potential jurors and help sort through them. The consultant may also interview potential jurors with attorneys to determine if they should join the jury.

Jury consultants also watch juror behavior and body language during the trial. They take notes and figure out what the jury responds to the best. A forensic psychology degree will significantly help you prepare for working in a courtroom like this.

2. Correctional (Prison) Counselor

With a degree in forensic psychology, you will have the option of working in a correctional facility. Counselors have a deep knowledge of law and crime, making them essential to running these facilities smoothly.

As a correctional counselor, you might offer counseling to the inmates at the facility. You also could work with former inmates or parolees to improve their mental health. These people likely need support, which you would provide.

Correction counselors can hold individual or group treatment sessions with the inmates. They also may evaluate inmates or provide lawyers with information.

Overall, correctional counselors are a valuable asset at any correctional facility! You’d have many different roles, with a focus on assisting current and former inmates with their mental health. A forensic psychology degree would give you the skills and background needed to evaluate the inmates accurately.

3. Crime Victim Advocate

A crime victim advocate provides support to victims of various crimes. You’d need to be comfortable providing victims with resources, emotional support, and plenty of information! Your main goal is to let the victim know their rights and how best to use them.

As a victim advocate, you’d be responsible for victims of different crimes, including domestic violence or assault. You’d be there to walk the victim through the court process and give them as much support as possible.

Victim advocates can work for many organizations, so you’d be sure to find a job with a forensic psychology degree. Courthouses, police stations, government facilities, crisis centers, and some nonprofits always look for experts in this field.

4. Law Enforcement Consultant

Photo by Mateus Campos Felipe on Unsplash

While a forensic psychology degree usually leads to working in a court or prison setting, you also can work with police as a consultant. Your primary responsibility would be to help law enforcement understand a criminal’s thought process.

In doing so, you’d help law enforcement apprehend criminals. However, you’d have several other responsibilities that are just as important! For example, you could teach police officers how to interact with their community in the best possible way. You’d also instruct them on approaching criminals.

With a forensic psychology background, you’d have the skills needed to understand a criminal’s mindset. You’d also be essential for giving police officers training, which covers various topics.

Overall, law enforcement consultants prepare officers, give them vital information, and help them interact with their community.  

5. Probation Officer

Probation officers supervise those who recently exited the prison system or are now on parole. You’d determine when parolees can be released and whether they pose a risk with a forensic psychology degree.

You’d also become a role model for parolees as you offer them guidance and support. You need to encourage them to do better and make positive changes in their lives. 

Probation officers monitor parolees and provide them with resources. They also act as the “middleman” between the court and offenders. Overall, you’d track the parolee’s conduct and progress, then inform the judges. That way, they can stay on top of what’s happening.

Probation officers are vital to the legal system since they offer an alternative to incarceration. In short, you’d use your forensic psychology skills to monitor offenders while they remain in their communities.

6. Forensic Psychologist Social Worker

YwDbEjrhHELb9kk31 o7xONxLhsBYTv kpY0JCn0BO ciDelyGcIH9GPyDvmMOtD3wFLI49vc44BTHAXjJR9062pFMPqrYsm9YrfrNOlv5iK5Cogt

Photo by Gabrielle Henderson on Unsplash

As a forensic social worker, you’d work alongside other social workers to assist those impacted by crime. You’d evaluate the mental state of a defendant, testify as a witness, and report criminal activities. If needed, a social worker also recommends therapy to defendants.

Forensic social workers are very knowledgeable about the diagnosis and treatment of offenders or victims. You’ll work very closely with those involved in the justice system and will need to monitor them very closely. 

To get a job in this field, you’ll need a forensic psychology degree, as well as social work experience. Many people intern or volunteer within criminal justice settings to add to the experience.

7. Federal Government Worker

Next, you can consider becoming a government employee with a degree in forensic psychology. Some options include the CIA or FBI, but there are many more groups to consider. Working with your local government is also an option.

You might investigate criminals, develop ways to prevent crime, and study criminal behavior. You also will advise the court and help law enforcement determine the best punishment for a crime.

Having a Master’s degree in forensic psychology will make you stand out to the government. It’d show that you have the skills and education needed to thrive in this field.

Choose a Career Path That Suits You

As you work on obtaining your Master’s degree in forensic psychology, you’ll want to consider all the aspects of the above career paths. There are many forensic paths to choose from, so you should pick the one that best suits you! Making lists can help you visualize what you want from your dream job.

The Editorial Team at Healthcare Business Today is made up of skilled healthcare writers and experts, led by our managing editor, Daniel Casciato, who has over 25 years of experience in healthcare writing. Since 1998, we have produced compelling and informative content for numerous publications, establishing ourselves as a trusted resource for health and wellness information. We offer readers access to fresh health, medicine, science, and technology developments and the latest in patient news, emphasizing how these developments affect our lives.