Steps to Become a Forensic Psychologist in Minnesota
Education in great schools is the key to becoming a forensic psychologist. You will need to make sure that you have your Bachelor’s degree, and then you will want to continue your forensic psychology education so that you will be able to get a Master’s degree and a doctorate. Choose the best schools for the degrees so you have a quality education for when you start to practice. Of course, you will still have to get your license, and that requires a number of other steps.
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
While you are completing your doctorate program, you will need to start a 2,000 hours internship that is related to the degree that you are earning. The internship needs to be managed by a qualified supervisor. Once you finish with your degree and your internship, you will then be able to apply for the EPPP (Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology) through the Minnesota Board of Psychology. You will also have to have one year of post-graduate work experience, again with a qualified supervisor.
Once you pass the test, have your degrees, and have your work experience completed, you will be able to apply for your license through the Board. With your license, it will be time to start looking for work. In some cases, you might be able to find work in the same place where you were an intern.
Steps to Becoming a Forensic Psychologist in Minnesota: Quick Reference Guide
- Obtain a bachelor’s degree in forensic psychology or psychology.
- Earn your master’s degree. This step is optional for some PhD programs.
- Get your doctorate degree.
- Complete a 2000 hour internship during your doctoral program and one year of post-graduate work.
- Apply to take the EPPP through the Minnesota Board of Psychology.
- After passing the EPPP, you can apply for a license through the Board.
Employment Trends and Career Areas for Forensic Psychologists in Minnesota
Forensics is a hot career, and it doesn’t show any signs of slowing. Those who have their doctorate and license as a forensic psychologist will be able to find quite a few different career paths to follow. Some choose to go into the court system, where they will be able to evaluate defendants, and provide counseling to victims. Working in the prison system is another possibility. Providing mental health services and evaluations to convicts that are about to be released is also an option.
Many choose to work more closely with law enforcement. As a consultant, you will be able to help the police track and catch criminals through evaluation of crime scenes and through behavioral analysis. This can be a very exciting career option. Another option that some forensic psychologists choose after they have a bit of experience is to teach. It’s possible to find work teaching at schools that offer these courses, and it can be possible to teach law enforcement as well.
Salary and Employment Facts for Minnesota Forensic Psychologists
Forensic psychologists working in Minnesota have an average salary of $89,580 per year. This is a great salary for the region, and you should be able to find plenty of work, especially in the densely populated areas.
Minnesota Forensic Psychology in the News
Forensic psychologists can work on a number of different types of cases. In Minnesota, there was the case of John Rydberg, who, in 2011, wanted to be the first patient released from the Minnesota Sex Offender Program in more than a decade. He wanted to be placed in a halfway house, but a forensic psychologist who evaluated him disagrees that he is ready for the outside world. It was determined that Rydberg would be detained by the state indefinitely. These psychologists can help to keep dangerous people where they belong.