Master's Degree Job Opportunities

• Thanks to television, movies and novels, many people are familiar with the role of forensic psychologists in law enforcement and the court systems where they develop suspect profiles and give testimony in court. However, these positions require a doctorate in psychology and several years of experience. So, entry level forensic psychologists with a master's degree begin working in jails, correctional facilities, parole, probation and public mental health agencies.
  
  

Job Description

• Forensic psychologists work in correctional facilities, probation and parole offices, psychiatric hospitals, public health services and in family, civil or criminal courts. They use a combination of observations, interviews and psychological tests to develop a profile of the client, focusing on his behavior and the beliefs and feelings that influence behavior. They use these evaluations to make recommendations to the courts about sentencing, custody and other court decisions. Psychologists conduct assessment, consultation and treatment for clients in jail and other facilities. They provide training and consultation to law enforcement, attorneys and mental health professionals on forensic psychology issues.
  
  

Pay and Career Prospects

• Many psychologists begin working in correctional facilities as correctional treatment specialists where the average annual starting salary is $53,000 per year, depending on the area of the United States and the setting in which the person works. For example, those working in large metropolitan areas, such as New York, earned an average annual salary of $60,680 in 2010, while those in rural areas, such as Idaho, earned an average annual salary of $39,440. The job prospects in jails, correctional facilities, probation and parole agencies are expected to be good, with an anticipated increase of 19 percent between 2008 and 2018.
  
  

Qualifcations

• A forensic psychologist must earn a master's or doctoral degree in psychology with a forensic or criminal psychology concentration. A master's degree includes two years of course work, along with clinical experience, and may include a master's thesis. Each state has its own licensing requirements for forensic psychologists, many of which require passing a written exam. This degree qualifies a person to work in various aspects of the corrections and public mental health systems. To work as a forensic psychologist with law enforcement and the court system, a person must have a doctoral degree in forensic psychology and extensive experience in the field.