What is a Forensic Psychology degree?

The forensic psychology degree program at Florida Tech offers in-depth preparation for careers and graduate study in behavior analysis, clinical psychology, criminal justice, social work, organizational management and law. Students benefit from small classes, personal interaction with faculty and exciting research opportunities in diverse topics including autism and Alzheimer's research, animal training, gender studies, emotional wellness and criminal behavior. The forensic psychology degree offers a unique program designed to provide knowledge and skills in preparation for careers in several areas of criminal justice in the context of a firm foundation in basic psychology. Graduates of this program can pursue careers in criminal justice professions, such as crime analysts, police or probation officers and victim advocates, and in nonprofit and social service agencies that coordinate efforts with legal/justice systems, such as domestic violence shelters and victim's rights groups. Some graduates may choose to pursue graduate study in criminal justice, forensic psychology, criminology or law. The forensic psychology degree program emphasizes skills in crime analysis (tracking patterns and social correlates of criminal activity), crime prevention and community liaison work among legal, law enforcement and social service agencies. Statistical analysis, program development and program evaluation are some of the competencies students are expected to acquire. Students in the forensic psychology degree program perform an internship in a criminal justice organization.

Advantages

Why Florida Tech: Individual attention Solid graduate school preparation Abundant community resources Hands-on fieldwork

The Numbers: Average class size within department: 23, Faculty members: 22

Learning

Clubs and Organizations: Psi Chi, Psychology Honor Society,Undergraduate Psychology Student Association,Forensic Psychology Association

Research: Florida Tech forensic psychology degree students can take one-credit or three-credit research experience classes to gain exposure to applied research. Students work with faculty in ongoing research projects as observers or participants at various levels of commitment. Florida Tech's School of Psychology also operates a variety of clinics and service and consulting programs including: Family Learning Program East Central Florida Memory Clinic Community Psychological Services Center for Organizational Effectiveness

Internships and Cooperative Learning: All undergraduate forensic psychology degree majors complete an internship as part of a three-credit-hour course during the senior year. Honor students write a thesis in place of the internship. Internships offer students direct experience with the day-to-day conduct of some area of applied psychology. Such experience allows students to see applications of the knowledge they have gained in their psychology course work and acquaints them with the activities of working psychologists. The following companies have recruited Florida Tech interns: Best Buy (industrial/organizational) Brevard County Sheriff's Department (criminal justic/forensic) Brevard Zoo (animal behavior) Children's Home Society (clinical) Circles of Care (clinical) Dolphin Quest Oahu (animal behavior) East Central Florida Memory Disorder Clinic (neuropsychology) EPCOT (animal behavior) Palm Bay Police Department Victim Services Unit (forensic) Space Coast Early Intervention Center (applied behavior)

Future Outcomes

Outcomes - Grad School: Nearly half of forensic psychology degree graduates continue their studies in graduate programs in counseling, social, clinical or forensic psychology or law school at universities such as: The Ohio State University University of Central Florida Nova Southeastern University Boston College Colorado State University

Outcomes - Career and Salary: Graduates of the forensic psychology degree program can pursue careers in criminal justice professions, such as crime analysits, police or probation officers and victim advocates, and in nonprofit and social service agencies that coordinate efforts with legal/justice systems, such as domestic violence shelters and victim's rights groups.