How to Become a Forensic Psychologist in Massachusetts
Once you have your Bachelor’s degree, you will be able to start looking for colleges that can offer advanced degrees. You are going to need your Master’s and a doctorate if you want to become a licensed forensic psychologist in the state of Massachusetts. Find a good, accredited school and finish your doctorate. When you are pursuing your doctorate, you will need to start earning supervised work hours, which you can start to accumulate after you’ve been in forensic psychology graduate school for a year.
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
You will need to have 3,200 hours total of work experience, and 1,600 of those hours need to be completed after you have your doctorate. The supervisor that you choose needs to meet the criteria and qualifications approved by the Massachusetts Board of Registration of Psychologists before you can start earning those hours though.
Once you have the hours that you need, you will be able to fill out your application for your license with the Board. When they evaluate and approve the application, they will let you know that you are eligible to take the EPPP, or Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology. In addition to the EPPP, you will also have to take a jurisprudence exam. Once you pass those, you will be able to receive your license and then start looking for work as a licensed psychologist in the state.
Steps to Becoming a Forensic Psychologist in Massachusetts: Quick Reference Guide
- Attend an accredited school and get a bachelor’s degree.
- Receive a master’s degree in psychology or forensic psychology. Some PhD programs do not require this step.
- Earn your PhD in forensic Psychology.
- Obtain 3200 hours of supervised work experience, 1600 of which is to be completed following graduation.
- Apply for your license through the Massachusetts Board of Registration of Psychologists.
- Take the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP) and a jurisprudence exam.
Employment Trends and Career Areas for Forensic Psychologists in Massachusetts
Forensic psychology is an important field, and that means that there are going to be more job openings in the future. Nationwide, they predict that the need for qualified forensic psychologists is going to rise by 15% in the next four years. With large cities such as Boston in the state, you can be sure that there will be plenty of jobs available in many different capacities.
Working as a forensic psychologist offers plenty of different career opportunities. You can find work in the court system, the corrections system, and directly with law enforcement. Your degrees can also qualify you to find a teaching position at colleges with psychology and forensic psychology programs.
Salary and Employment Facts for Massachusetts Forensic Psychologists
The average annual salary for a forensic psychologist in Massachusetts is $83,960 per year, which is a great salary whether they are living in Boston or one of the smaller cities in the state. The news regarding the job outlook for forensic psychologists in Massachusetts is equally good, since it is projected that the field will experience a 19% increase by 2024.
Massachusetts Forensics Go Beyond Solving Crimes
Forensic science professionals can help to solve all manner of mysteries, from the mysteries of the mind with forensic psychology to ancient mysteries with DNA evidence. In collaboration with the Crime Lab of the Massachusetts State Police, two researchers, Dr. Scully and Dr. Foley, were able to use forensic techniques to find trace DNA evidence on a Greek amphora that was over 2,000 years old. It offers much more insight into the ancient world.