forensic psychology

[masonis]

Is anyone else struggling to find a place to fit into the traditional doctoral programs as a forensic psychologist? The general wisdom seems to be to apply to clinical and counseling programs not forensic specific programs. It has been a real hit or miss thing finding schools that have professors with a background in forensics. Then competing against all the other specialties to get an interview when only a few professors even work in your area is just a nightmare. I am hoping others out there have some thoughts on this because I feel kind of alone in this.

 

It drives me nuts to have to compete with the other specialty areas that seem to draw students that are so much stronger academically. My goal is to work in a forensic hospital or correctional institution. It feels like none of the people I am competing with to get into grad school would ever end up competing against me for jobs so it seems a bit like being an orange stuck with a bunch of apples. I don't mean to imply that us forensic people are weaker academically its just that being somewhat in that criminal justice world comes with different expectations. It makes me worry that in trying to set a foundation for my career I have lowered my chances of being able to get the education I need to build on that foundation. 

 

What do you guys think? Where are my forensic people at?

[Lisa44201]

The path you described is the way to do it; go Clinical, and look for an internship in a forensic setting. Currently there is no such thing as being licensed as a forensic psychologist; so, your practicum/internship/post-docs are going to have to speak to that knowledge.

 

Also, consider that the BOP, for example, hires for Clinical Psychologists, not forensic psychologists (see http://www.bop.gov/jobs/positions/?p=Clinical%20Psychologist); the same is true for forensic hospitals; the work a psychologist does at those facilities is clinical in nature; the location is forensic.

 

It's similar to what the neuropsych folks go through - they get PhDs in Clinical psych, but their practicum, internship, and post-docs are in neuro settings.

 

I think it might be a matter of finding the right POI (remember, look for the POI, not the school).

[ii_whm]

A friend of mine is applying to clinical programs where the professors have an interest in forensic psychology subject matter. I don't know which professors exactly, but she applied to: Alabama, Sam Houston, Drexel, Fordham, Texas A&M, and Nebraska. There was a few other ones she was looking at, but those professors weren't accepting students. So maybe checking out those programs for clinical professors who have forensic psychology interests would be a good first start.

[Lisa44201]

Also look at Texas Tech's Counseling PhD.

[Sevenoffs]

Clinical is really the best route. I'm forensic oriented and did a forensic specialization during undergrad. I only applied to 5 schools in Canada because they were really the only ones with forensic profs doing what I'm interested in. I'm assuming there are more options in the states, but it seems like a pretty limited field in terms of graduate options.

Edited February 6, 2014 by Sevenoffs

[metamorphosis]

I am as well and sevenoffs, you are right on the money, there are limited (or at all) Phds geared toward forensics specifically, clinical route seems to be the way to go. Also to add to the list above, Nova Southeastern University has clinical psych with a forensic concentration.

 

Also, check out this site, it gives a super detailed list: http://www.apadivisions.org/division-41/education/programs/index.aspx