Steps to Become a Forensic Psychologist in Michigan
If you are hoping to become a forensic psychologist, you will need to start by getting your Bachelor’s degree from good accredited schools. After getting your Bachelor’s degree, you are still going to need to have your Master’s degree and then your doctorate. Whether it is an online school or one with a traditional campus setting, selecting the right school for you is extremely important.
Featured Programs:
Grand Canyon University - BS in Psychology: Forensic Psychology
Southern New Hampshire University - BA & MS in Forensic Psychology
Walden University - Online Forensic Psychology Programs
As you are earning your doctorate, you will have to have an internship that will equal 2,000 hours with a qualified supervisor. After you have your degree, you will have a limited level licensure, and then you will be able to begin another 2,000 hours of work experience. The additional 2,000 hours will need to be completed within two years of receiving your doctorate.
To receive the limited level psychology license, you will have to apply to the Michigan Board of Psychology and provide them with proof of your internship hours. When you have your limited license, you will be able to take the EPPP, or Examination of Professional Practice in Psychology. After you fulfill your hours of post-doctorate experience and pass the exam, you will be able to apply for the full license. The Board will then review the application and let you know if you are able to receive your license. With your license in hand, you will then be able to start looking for work as a forensic psychologist.
Steps to Becoming a Forensic Psychologist in Michigan: Quick Reference Guide
- Find an accredited college that offers psychology or forensic psychology programs and earn a bachelor’s degree.
- Earn a master’s degree and doctoral degree. Some PhD programs do not require a master’s degree.
- Complete an approved internship of 2000 hours during your PhD program.
- Gain another 2000 hours of supervised experience in two years or less following graduation.
- Apply for licensure through the Michigan Board of Psychology.
- Take and pass the EPPP.
Employment Trends and Career Areas for Forensic Psychologists in Michigan
Forensics is a great field that is showing quite a bit of growth. You will find a number of different options for jobs when you have your degree in forensic psychology. Jobs in the court system and the corrections system are a great place for a forensic psychologist. It will be possible to work with law enforcement providing consulting and behavioral analysis as well.
You are going to find many different options to follow in your career when you have degrees in psychology. You may help to determine if defendants are competent to stand trial, or assist law enforcement narrow down their suspect pool with behavioral analysis and crime scene investigation.
Salary and Employment Facts for Michigan Forensic Psychologists
Those who have their doctorate and are who practicing forensic psychology in Michigan will find that the average salary is $92,880 per year. Choosing to work in one of the larger, more populated areas is likely going to garner a better salary, but you can often find work in some of the smaller communities as well.
Michigan Forensic Psychology in the News
Forensic psychologists in Michigan can handle many different types of cases. A 2012 case of a man charged with a home invasion and two car thefts is one such example. Orson Matthews Hager was found soaking wet and in a wet suit beneath a sleeping bag in a home in Oceana County. The district court filed a motion for a forensic exam, which determined that Hager was legally insane at the time of the break in, but he was consider sane during a car thefts just days before. He was sentenced to two concurrent terms of 5 1/2 months in jail and two years on probation for the car thefts.