Steps to Become a Forensic Psychologist in Missouri
Starting your education right with the best programs from a great school is going to be important. You will want to have your Bachelor’s degree in psychology to start, and then you will want to start looking for a good school that offers Master’s degrees and doctorates. If you want to be a forensic psychologist in Missouri, you are going to need to have your doctorate and your license. The steps to getting them can be long, but they are easy to understand.
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
When you are earning your doctorate, you will need to do one years of supervised work experience. You will be able to do the second year of necessary work experience when you are done with your doctorate. It is important to make sure that the supervisor for the work experience is one approved by the Missouri Committee of Psychologists.
When you finish with the work experience, you will be able to apply for your license and then submit it to the Committee. They will review the application and then let you know when you are eligible to take the three required exams for your license. You will have to take the EPPP, or Examination for Professional Practice of Psychology. You will also have to take a jurisprudence exam through the state of Missouri, as well as an oral examination.
After passing those exams and meeting all of the requirements, you will then be able to receive your license. When you have your license, you will be able to start looking for all of those great jobs for forensic psychologists.
Steps to Becoming a Forensic Psychologist in Missouri: Quick Reference Guide
- Attend a forensic psychology school and receive a bachelor’s degree.
- Earn your master’s degree in psychology or forensic psychology (optional, may skip and go to step #3).
- Pursue a PhD.
- Complete one year of supervised work experience prior to graduation and one following graduation.
- Apply for your license through the Missouri Committee of Psychologists.
- Take the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP) and jurisprudence exam.
Employment Trends and Career Areas for Forensic Psychologists in Missouri
Those who are getting their doctorate and license as a psychologist will have many different career areas from which they will be able to choose. One of the most common career paths for professionals is to work in a consulting capacity with law enforcement. The skills of a forensic psychiatrist can help develop and tighten suspect lists, and is a great boon to many types of cases. Forensic psychiatrists can also find work in the corrections systems, the court systems, and in teaching roles.
Salary and Employment Facts for Missouri Forensic Psychologists
The average salary for a forensic psychologist located in Missouri is $95,710 per year. While most psychologists don’t enter the field for money, this is still great pay for anyone in the state, and indeed the country.
Missouri Forensics
Forensics throughout the state of Missouri can incorporate many different areas, from psychological evaluations to blood analysis. Southwest Missouri Forensics in Springfield work many different types of forensics cases, including a recent case of sudden infant death syndrome. While they were unable to find a cause of death, the coroner, through his own investigation, was able to say that the cause could very well be sudden infant death syndrome. Forensics is also doing toxicology tests.