Steps to Become a Forensic Psychologist in Louisiana
If you are considering forensic psychology as a career option, you will first have to make sure that you have your Bachelor’s degree. You will then need to further your forensic psychology education with a Master’s degree and a doctorate if you want to practice psychology in Louisiana and become a forensic psychologist. Make sure that you choose the best colleges with the top programs when you are looking for a school. Getting your degrees through accredited schools is the only way that you will be able to become a forensic psychologist in Louisiana.
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
In addition to getting the degree, you are going to need to have two years, or 3,000 hours, of supervised experience. The first 1,500 hours, or the first year, can be an internship that you complete when you are earning your degree. The other 1,500 hours, or the second year, need to be done after you have your doctorate, and you have to make sure that all of the hours are completed with an approved supervisor. You have to submit a supervised practice plan to the Louisiana State Board of Examiners of Psychologists before you begin.
In addition, you are going to need to apply for the license and submit it to the Louisiana State Board of Examiners of Psychologists, along with fees. The Board reviews the application and paperwork and then will let you know when they approve it, and they will let you know that you can take the EPPP or Examination for Professional Practice of Psychology.
After passing the exam, the Board will then review your post-doctoral experience and let you know when you can take the state administered oral and jurisprudence exams. Once you pass those, you can receive your license and then start looking for the position of your dreams as a forensic psychiatrist.
Steps to Becoming a Forensic Psychologist in Louisiana: 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 3000 hours of supervised professional experience, 1500 of which can be accomplished during a doctoral program.
- Apply for your license through the Louisiana State Board of Examiners of Psychologists.
- Take the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP).
Employment Trends and Career Areas for Forensic Psychologists in Louisiana
When you have the right degrees and your license, you will find many different areas in which you can work. It’s possible to find employment working with victims of crimes as well as interviewing criminals for research. You can work directly with law enforcement and help them track criminals through their behavior patterns and you can help to dissect crime scenes. It’s possible to work in the court system, with lawyers, as an expert witness in huge trials, and more. Becoming a forensic psychologist is certainly an interesting career.
Salary and Employment Facts for Louisiana Forensic Psychologists
While it is interesting, most people will also want to know about the salary that one can expect. Those who are working as forensic psychologists in Louisiana have an average salary of around $84,430 per year. The job outlook is equally appealing. By 2024, the forecast is for a 12% increase in the number of positions available.
Louisiana Forensics in the News
Forensic science is usually heavily relied upon in order to solve many different types of cases, and forensic psychology frequently plays a vital role during a trial. For example, Gary Francois was found guilty of murdering James Vaughn in a Louisiana shopping mall on Christmas Eve 2014. Forensic psychiatrist Dr. Richard Richoux and forensic psychologist Dr. Rafael Salcedo determined that Francois did have a psychological disorder but knew right from wrong before, during and following his shooting of Vaughn. Francois was convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison on May 18, 2017.