The term forensic refers to anything pertaining or potentially pertaining to law, both civil and criminal.
Forensic investigations usually require expertise in chemistry, biology, physics, or other sciences, including electronic technology. The field of forensic psychology involves a very different type of preparation and is significantly different in content, but it, too, requires considerable preparation.
Forensic psychology refers to professional practice by any psychologist working with any sub-discipline of psychology (e.g., clinical, developmental, social, cognitive) when applying the scientific, technical, or specialized knowledge of psychology to the law.
Most likely you are considering entering the field of forensics, but is not quite sure what direction to take, or even what type of job related choices there are to choose from. Well, I would like to challenge you... that by the end of this course, you will gravitate towards one or two of forensic psychology sub-specialties, based on your individual interests, personality and professional goals.
The work settings in which forensic psychologists are found include, but are not limited to, the following: private practice; family, drug, and mental health courts; child protection agencies; victim services; domestic violence courts and programs; Forensic mental health units (government or private); sex offender treatment programs; correctional institutions (including research programs); law enforcement agencies (federal, state, or local); research organizations; Colleges and universities (teaching or research); juvenile delinquency treatment programs; legal advocacy centers (e.g., for immigrants, prisoners, the mentally ill or intellectually disabled).
COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course is intended to provide an overview of the various applications of psychology to forensic settings. We will cover the major subtopics to include: Police and Public Safety Psychology, Legal Psychology, Psychology of Crime and Delinquency, Victimology and Victim Services, and Correctional Psychology.
