How to Become a Forensic Psychologist in Connecticut
Education is important in any forensics field, and that is true of forensic psychology. You will need to go beyond having just your Bachelor’s degree in psychology if you want to go far. Pursue your Master’s degree through the best schools and then proceed to get your doctorate. The road to becoming a forensic psychologist is a long one, but it is well worth the journey. Once you start focusing on your doctorate, you will be able to narrow your specialization. After receiving your doctorate, you are still going to need to complete a full year of supervised experience, which is similar to on the job training. You can complete the supervised experience full-time or part-time. If you choose part-time, you will have to complete 2000 hours in two years. If you choose full-time, you will have to complete 35 hours per week for 46 weeks. The supervision needs to be with a licensed psychologist, and the experience has to be in your particular field of specialization.
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
Once you have your supervised experience requirements met, you can then apply to the Board of Examiners of Psychologists to take the licensing exam for Connecticut Psychologist Licensure. They will provide you with a test date to take the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology, or EPPP.
Steps to Becoming a Forensic Psychologist in Connecticut: Quick Reference Guide
- Attend an accredited college and earn a bachelor’s degree in psychology or forensic psychology.
- Get a master’s degree. Some doctoral programs may not require this step.
- Earn a PhD in forensic psychology.
- Complete supervised professional experience.
- Apply for Connecticut Psychology Licensure. The required examination to receive licensure is the EPPP.
Employment Trends and Career Areas for Forensic Psychologists in Connecticut
Having a doctorate in forensic psychology is going to open up a number of different career options for you. It’s possible to work within the court system, for lawyers, and in correctional facilities providing help to inmates with possible mental illnesses. Some forensic psychologists offer counseling for those inmates who will be reentering society. Working in a teaching capacity for colleges that have programs in forensic psychology is also a possibility.
Of course, many forensic psychologists work directly with law enforcement in a consulting capacity. Having a trained forensic psychologist and behavior specialist on call is a great way to help the officers and detectives learn more about possible suspects as well as get into their minds.
Salary and Employment Facts for Connecticut Forensic Psychologists
Forensic psychologists working in Connecticut can make a great deal of money, even though money is rarely the sole factor for those who enter this field. The average salary for those who are in Connecticut and working in this area of forensics is $99,260 per year. With more forensics positions expected to open across the country in the coming years, now is a great time to enter the field.
Connecticut Forensic Psychology in the News
In the court system, forensic specialists may sometimes be working on opposite sides of the case. A case in Connecticut, involving the murder of a young woman at the hands of her former boyfriend, is a prime example. Forensics, in this case blood evidence, implicated James Carter in the murder. A forensic scientist testified for the prosecution, while a psychologist testified for the defense, stating that Carter had a psychologically fragile mind and was susceptible to losing control. While the psychologist was not claiming that Carter couldn’t have committed the crime, the defense was likely using the testimony from the psychologist to influence the sentencing.