Choosing a course in the psychology field...

Hello, guys! :smile:

I'm planning on going to uni in September 2012 and I still haven't decided exactly which course to take. I mean, I already know that I want something with psychology, as I'm very fond of it. Actually criminology&psychology... And I've checked some uni's sites and details of the courses they offer, but I want to ask you something.. :colondollar:

Does any of you know, if I want to become a profiler, what type of course is it better to choose? 'Cause I found some interesting courses like psychology and forensic sciences, or psychology and criminal behaviour and from what I've read, many of them are good for a future career in investigating crime, but I'm not sure if there is a specific course for future profilers :confused:

If there's anyone out there that can help me, I'd appreciate it very much :biggrin:

Thanks,
Sabina

Reply 1

fnm

From what I've heard (from forensic psychologists), if you want to be a forensic psychologist, its better to get a straight bsc psychology (with accreditation). Definitely do not get a degree like psychology and criminology or criminology without accreditation (I was tempted to do) because to become a F.P. you need an accredited bsc and msc (and loads of work experience) so it's a bit pointless doing them.

Reply 2

Lord Asriel

Offender Profiling is really not a full time job, because it is required so infrequently. It's normally one element for someone who does something else for the rest of the time. I remember reading the results of survey conducted in the mid 90s saying that there were about 20 or so in the whole of the UK, mainly coming from a psychiatry or psychology background.

From talking to my colleagues in forensics, its not the sort of job you apply for, but are rather approached to do when you get to a certain level.

Reply 3

missywowzer

Original post by fnm

It's not pointless.You can do the psychology conversion after then the MSc.It's the way I'm doing it as my interest is on the criminal side of things rather than psychology as a whole so wouldn't want to spend years doing psych.You do need a lot of work experience though and it's an incredibly competative field.

Reply 4

Nightstar-27

BSc straight psychology with BPS recognition. MA in straight forensic science. Work experience as an assistant for a forensic psychologists. PhD in forensic psychology

Reply 5

fnm

Original post by missywowzer

Are you trying to become a forensic psychologist or are you looking at another field of criminology? Also, how long would the conversion take;surely its easier and saves money just doing the BPS BSc (if you want to become a FP)?

Reply 6

missywowzer

Original post by fnm

Planning to be a forensic psych (actually just applied for a psychological assistant job at local prison to get a foot in and experience..fingers crossed lol) but doing the criminology way followed by conversion leaves more doors open for me should I change my mind at any point and due to the competitiveness as I wouldn't want to work as any other type of psych.

I certainly don't want to spend years doing just psychology and it wouldn't assist me so much if I do end up doing something else related to crime.Apart from that,due to my family circumstance (single,mature student with disabled child)I need to be able to study part time and am doing so through an excellent distance learning programme through university of portsmouth,couldn't do an accredited psychology degree without attending a residential study school -something I can't do.So,it's a mix of reasons for me,but it means I get to study my main interests that are related to the areas I would like to work in and I get to do it and can work and get experience at the same time.

Conversion would be 1-2 years depending on how it's done