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Forensic Psychologist

What To Learn

High School

What high school courses should you take if you're interested in this career? Get your answers from the Human Services cluster Counseling and Mental Health Services pathway.

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Additional Information

In the United States, psychologists who want to work in a private practice must be certified and licensed. Laws vary by state, but most require a doctorate in psychology, one to two years of experience and require applicants to take an exam. Few states certify psychologists with a master's level training.

More than 3,000 colleges in the United States offer undergraduate programs in psychology. Four hundred offer a master's degree, and 300 offer PhD level training. A postgraduate psychology degree is necessary to begin your career in this field.

After completing an undergraduate degree, you'll have more of an idea of what type of psychology you are interested in.

"There's lots of room for more people," says James Hooper, an Alabama-based psychologist. "However, it's a long course and students must first think about getting through high school and then college before they will know exactly what postgraduate study they want to take."