You're interested in the field of psychology, and you're starting to explore some of the niches and specializations within it. If that’s the case, one of the first subjects to hit is criminal psychology. From criminal minds to true crime podcasts, getting into the mind of a criminal to understand why they do what they do—and whether they might do it again—is something many of us find irrationally exciting.
Rasmussen University does not offer any certificate or degree programs in psychology.
The bad news? Criminal psychology isn't necessarily what you've seen on your favorite television shows and murder documentaries. The good news is that it's still a fascinating topic within the greater field of psychology. Working with those entangled in the criminal justice system can be a fulfilling pathway for the right individual.
Here's more about what a criminal psychologist really is—from what they do, to where they work, to what it takes to become one.
What is criminal psychologist, exactly?
Psychologists study cognitive, emotional, and social processes and behavior, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).1 They observe, interpret and record how people relate to one another and to their environments, and conduct research on their findings to build specialized expertise.
The broadest definition of criminal psychologists is that they do this specifically with criminals—maintaining a particular interest in and focus on the thoughts, emotions and behaviors of suspects, criminals or those with criminal records.
But overall, criminal psychology is a less well-defined specialty. Criminal psychology is sometimes referred to as a subfield of criminology, applied psychology or conflated with the emerging field of forensic psychology. This is partially because there is some overlap between criminal and forensic psychologists, but also because people simply confuse the terms.
What is the difference between criminal psychologists and forensic psychologists?
While criminal psychology focuses on studying the behavior of criminals, forensic psychology is often defined as the intersection of psychology and the legal system. Day-to-day, a forensic psychologist works to provide psychological expertise within the judicial and legal systems, according to the American Psychological Association (APA).2
This can include a whole range of tasks and activities and may involve working with a few different populations. The common thread between them all is that forensic psychologists work with clients who have clinical and legal status, and that can tend to be the case with criminal psychologists as well.
Rasmussen University does not offer any programs that will lead to the career opportunity of Forensic Psychologist.
While the difference between forensic and criminal psychologists isn't black and white, some say that criminal psychologists focus more broadly on understanding criminal behavior to aid law enforcement, while forensic psychologists focus on direct interactions with the legal system to address the different psychological aspects of legal cases. This isn't a hard and fast distinction, but it can be a helpful way to frame the two professions in your head.
What do criminal psychologists do?
A large part of a criminal psychologist's job is studying why people commit crimes. They may help law enforcement analyze the behavior of criminal offenders and may even provide expert testimony in court.
In general, the day-to-day job duties will differ from what you've seen in the media.
What are some common criminal psychologist job duties?
Criminal psychologists don't typically work side-by-side with law enforcement officers to interrogate suspects (that's usually a detective's job), and they're not helping solve crimes every week.
Instead, cases can take weeks, months or even years to work through—and the super high profile, serial killer cases are much less frequent than television shows may make it seem like.
That said, a criminal psychologist's job duties can still be exciting. A criminal psychologist's research can help inform criminal profiling, giving law enforcement useful information about patterns in crimes and types of offenders.
Criminal psychologists will also provide counseling to criminals and those in need of psychological assessment.
With an increasing focus on rehabilitation and mental health, criminal psychologists are frequently referred to people with criminal histories, and will get the chance to work with individuals with all types of backgrounds and life experiences.
Where do criminal psychologists work?
Some psychologists work alone when researching, consulting with clients or counseling clients. Others work as part of a team, collaborating with specialists to treat clients and promote overall wellness.3 Criminal psychologists may be self-employed as independent consultants, they may work for local, state or federal government or they may collaborate with law enforcement agencies.
From offices to courtrooms, these different possibilities can translate to a wide range of work settings and environments. Criminal psychologists may also choose to teach—working at colleges, universities or even at certain types of training facilities.
It is important to check with employers regarding the education and work experience requirements that are needed to teach or train in the field of Criminal Psychology.
What is the job outlook for criminal psychologists?
The overall employment of psychologists is projected to grow 7% from 2023 to 2033, which is faster than the average for all occupations. An average of 13,000 job openings for psychologists are projected each year over the decade, according to BLS.4
These projections are for psychologists in general and not specifically for those who specialize in criminal psychology. Rasmussen University does not offer any programs that lead to the career opportunity of Psychologist.
What skills do criminal psychologists need?
Psychology is a specialized field that depends on certain skills and strengths for success. While specific tactics and techniques are learned in the classroom and through clinical experience, some skills come naturally to the right types of people. Here are some of the top soft skills for psychologists, according to BLS.5
Communication skills
From counseling people to writing reports and sharing their research, both oral and written communication skills are essential for all types of psychologists.
Compassion
Psychologists often work with people who are dealing with stressful and difficult situations. Having the capacity to empathize with their clients—regardless of who they may be or what they may have done—can be a useful skill.
Interpersonal skills
Having the ability to build a rapport with clients as well as work well with a range of other individuals, whether that's law enforcement offices or other specialists, will go a long way in the day-to-day work of a criminal psychologist.
Integrity
While certain rules may differ for criminal psychologists, most psychologists need to keep client discussions confidential. Regardless of that, psychologists must be able to instill confidence in their clients and gain their trust in order for them to share sensitive information.
Observational skills
A lot of a psychologist's role isn't just listening to what their clients say, it's observing them—how they interact with others, their facial expressions, body language, attitudes, behaviors and more. Being an astute observer is essential to being an effective psychologist.
Analytical skills
Of course, it doesn't stop at observing. Collecting, examining and analyzing the information they observe is what allows them to draw conclusions, whether that's making a diagnosis, professional recommendation or any other step in the treatment process.
Patience
For any type of psychologist, but especially criminal psychologists, patience is incredibly important. Remaining calm and attentive when working with all types of clients, including those who may be distressed or resistant, is key.
Problem-solving skills
Between collecting information, conducting research, evaluating programs and finding treatments, a great psychologist is always working towards a solution. Whether it's to improve a client's mental or behavioral problem or any other issue, strong problem-solving skills will always come in handy.
How do you become a criminal psychologist?
Becoming a psychologist requires an advanced degree, such as a master’s or doctoral degree in psychology.
It also requires licensure. The specific licensing requirements vary by state and position. Check the licensing requirements in your state of residence. Most psychologists will need supervised experience to qualify for licensure, which may include an internship or postdoctoral training. These experiences allow prospective psychologists to apply their knowledge in real life, and typically fulfills a certain number of required internship hours set by the state.6
Applicants to graduate-level psychology programs typically have an undergraduate degree in a field like psychology, education or one of the social sciences.6 For those interested in criminal psychology in particular, a Criminal Justice Bachelor's Degree—a program that falls under the justice studies umbrella—might also be a relevant first step.
Rasmussen University does not offer any programs in psychology, education or the social sciences. Rasmussen University’s Criminal Justice Associate’s degree and Criminal Justice Leadership and Management Bachelor’s degree programs do not lead to the career opportunity of Criminal Psychologist. Additional advanced education is required to become a Criminal Psychologist.
Another route to working in criminal justice
Forensic psychology, law and forensic science all tend to get the spotlight in high-profile criminal cases. These professions all require advanced degrees and licensure.
But they are not the only roles that matter in the criminal justice system. Many of the professionals helping to prevent and handle crime might find opportunities to work with an Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree.
For example, have you ever heard of a crime victim advocate? Check out What is a Crime Victim Advocate? The Journey to Justice Has a Guide to see what this job is like.
1 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Psychologists, [Accessed October 2024] https://www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/psychologists.htm#tab-1
2 American Psychological Association, Forensic Psychology, [Accessed October 2024] https://www.apa.org/ed/graduate/specialize/forensic
3 Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Psychologists, (date accessed), Psychologists : Occupational Outlook Handbook: : U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (bls.gov)
4 Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Psychologists, (put date accessed), Psychologists : Occupational Outlook Handbook: : U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (bls.gov)
5 Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Psychologists, (date accessed), Psychologists : Occupational Outlook Handbook: : U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (bls.gov)
6 Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Psychologists, (date accessed), Psychologists : Occupational Outlook Handbook: : U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (bls.gov)
