Steps to Become a Forensic Psychologist in Nebraska
Once you finish your Bachelor’s degree, you are still going to need to have many years of schooling if you want to be a licensed psychologist in Nebraska. You will have to have your master degree in forensic psychology and your doctorate, and you must make sure that you choose schools with the best programs to make this happen. Of course, that’s not the only thing that you have to do to become a forensic psychologist.
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 need to make sure that you complete your doctoral program in psychology from a quality school that meets the standards of accreditation of the APA, or its equivalent. You will also need to have two years of supervised professional experience. You will have to do one year as an intern, and one year as supervised post-doctoral experience.
In addition, you have to pass the EPPP, the Examination of Professional Practice in Psychology as well as the Nebraska Board of Psychologists jurisprudence exam with a score of at least 80%. When you pass your exams, you will need to apply for Nebraska psychologist licensure and send it to the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services Regulation and Licensure/Credentialing Division.
When you have your license, you will be able to practice as a psychologist in Nebraska. Then it is time to start looking for your job as a forensic psychologist.
Steps to Becoming a Forensic Psychologist in Nebraska: 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 two years of supervised professional experience.
- Pass the EPPP and the Nebraska Board jurisprudence exam.
- Apply for licensure through the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Service Regulation and Licensure/ Credentialing Division.
Employment Trends and Career Areas for Forensic Psychologists in Nebraska
Those who have their license in Nebraska can find a number of different types of jobs available in the forensic psychology field. It will be possible to work for the courts evaluating defendants, helping counsel victims, and more. Working for the corrections department is another possibility. Working as a consultant for law enforcement is another great option, and you are sure to find plenty of interesting and puzzling cases that could benefit from your knowledge. Research and teaching is yet another option that many forensic psychologists consider.
Employment as a forensic psychologist should be up in the coming years, but you will likely want to focus your search on the areas with the densest population, as this is likely where your services are going to be needed the most.
Salary and Employment Facts for Nebraska Forensic Psychologists
Forensic psychologists in Nebraska make an average of $95,710 per year. This is an extremely good salary in Nebraska, since the cost of living is so reasonable. In addition, the demand for forensic psychologists in Nebraska is expected to increase. By 2024, it is expected that the number of positions available these professionals will increase by 29%. So, if you want to have job security and make a great salary while living in Nebraska, you may want to seriously consider becoming a forensic psychologist.
Nebraska Forensics in the News
Forensics can encompass many different areas, and it’s important to remember that all of the different areas of forensics can work together for a common goal. One of the recent cases involving forensics in Nebraska is interesting, yet sad. The bodies of a woman and child were recently unearthed, and now forensics testing is going to help determine if they are the same woman and child that went missing in the area two years earlier. Forensics, from DNA testing to psychology, can help to give closure to families and a community that needs it.