We're here to help.
Speak with a University Counselor today.
1 All Psychology Schools. (n.d.). Careers in Criminal Psychology vs. Forensics. All Psychology Schools. Retrieved Sept. 25, 2024.
2 Ramsland, K., PhD. (2023, Jan. 11). Forensic Psychology, Criminology, or Criminal Psych: A Guide.Psychology Today. Retrieved Sept. 25, 2024.
3 PsychologyDegreeGuide.org. (n.d.). 10 Top Career Paths In Forensic Psychology (2021 Update). PsychologyDegreeGuide.org. Retrieved Sept. 25, 2024.
4 Indeed Editorial Team. (2024, July 2). What Can You Do With A Criminal Psychology Degree? 10 Career Fields. Indeed. Retrieved Sept. 25, 2024.
5 The earnings referenced were reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Psychologist as of May 2023, retrieved on, Sept. 25, 2024. Due to COVID-19, data from 2020 to 2023 may be atypical compared to prior years. BLS calculates the median using salaries of workers nationwide with varying levels of education and experience. It does not reflect the earnings of GCU graduates as psychologists, nor does it reflect the earnings of workers in one city or region of the country or a typical entry-level salary. Median income is the statistical midpoint for the range of salaries in a specific occupation. It represents what you would earn if you were paid more money than half the workers in an occupation, and less than half the workers in an occupation. It may give you a basis to estimate what you might earn at some point if you enter this career. Grand Canyon University can make no guarantees on individual graduates’ salaries. Your employability will be determined by numerous factors over which GCU has no control, such as the employer the graduate chooses to apply to, the graduate’s experience level, individual characteristics, skills, etc. against a pool of candidates.
6 COVID-19 has adversely affected the global economy and data from 2020 to 2023 may be atypical compared to prior years. Accordingly, data shown is effective Aug. 29, 2024, which can be found here: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Psychologist, retrieved Sept. 25, 2024.
Approved and verified accurate by the instructor of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences on Nov. 14, 2024.
No matter where your future in psychology takes you, you can develop a solid foundation at Grand Canyon University. Choose from a broad range of psychology, behavioral health and counseling degrees, including the Bachelor of Science in Psychology degree and the Bachelor of Science in Psychology with an Emphasis in Forensic Psychology program. Here, you’ll take classes infused with the Christian perspective.
Since forensic and criminal psychology are both interdisciplinary fields, you may find it helpful to broaden your academic background by earning a minor.
Some examples of minors that may be a good fit for an aspiring forensic or criminal psychology professional could include:
The field of psychology as a whole focuses on studying the motivations for criminal behavior. Criminal psychologists study criminals’ intentions, patterns of behavior, upbringing and social factors that may influence criminal behavior. They may interview suspects, defendants and convicted criminals to learn more about their motivations, upbringing and family life.1
The work that criminal psychologists do can assist law enforcement officers with narrowing down a list of suspects and apprehending criminals, informing jurors during a trial and adding to the body of knowledge in the field of criminology.1
If you think you might want to pursue a career in criminal psychology, you might either look for a bachelor’s degree in criminal psychology or earn a general Bachelor of Science in Psychology degree and then pursue a master’s degree in criminal psychology.
Although forensic psychologists also work within law enforcement, the court system or corrections, their role is distinctive. Forensic psychology programs typically focus not on laws and their enforcement but rather on criminal behavior, victimology and trauma.
Like the criminal psychology specialization, those who choose the forensic psychology subfield may decide to become an advanced practitioner with a graduate degree. However, there are also career options available to those with a bachelor’s degree.
It isn't always easy to determine which branch of psychology could be the right choice for you. If you feel drawn to both specializations, consider looking into job shadowing opportunities and internships. These experiences can both give you an inside look into the daily lives of various professionals, and you'll be able to solicit their insights and guidance.
One way to choose between criminal psychology vs. forensic psychology is to consider the various career options available within those subfields.
There is a wide range of career options within the forensic psychology subfield. Note that some career options may require additional education or credentials, such as clinical licensure. These requirements can vary by state, so be sure to research the requirements for the state in which you plan to work.
Forensic psych career options include:3
If you think you might prefer a career in criminal psychology, there are also multiple options to choose from.
Consider the following career pathways:4
Regardless of whether you choose a career in criminal or forensic psychology, both degrees touch upon the criminal justice system. For that reason, it can be helpful to have a basic understanding of how the system works in the U.S.
The criminal justice system consists of various federal, state and local government agencies and institutions. It has three branches: law enforcement, the court system and corrections.
Law enforcement officers are charged with arresting suspected offenders. The court system then tries the defendants and may find them either guilty or not guilty. If they are found guilty, the offenders may be transferred to the corrections system to serve a period of incarceration or probation.
The field of psychology is quite expansive in that there is a broad range of subfields and specializations to choose from. In fact, if you’re also interested in another academic discipline, there may be a psychology subfield that intersects with it. For example, criminal psychology and forensic psychology can both be good options for students who are interested in both psychology and the criminal justice system.
What's the difference between criminal psychology vs. forensic psychology and what sort of career options are available in these subfields? Explore your options here and consider whether becoming a psychologist who works with criminals is in your future.
There is some overlap between criminal psychology and forensic psychology. For example, like criminal psychologists, forensic psychologists analyze crimes and criminal behaviors, advise law enforcement officials and testify in court. Unlike criminal psychologists, forensic psychologists also focus on the impact of the crime on the victim. Another difference is that forensic psychologists may work on civil law matters, such as cases appearing in family court.1
Terms like criminology, forensic psychology, criminal psychology and criminalistics are often used interchangeably. If you’re thinking of entering this field, it can be helpful to have a clear understanding of how these specializations are different and how they overlap in some areas.
Here’s a breakdown of the differences between criminology and forensic psychology, as well as criminal psychology:2
Is forensic psychology a good career? And what about criminal psychology? Only you can determine if either is the right choice for you, but you may wish to consider salary and job growth data to help you decide.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) does not offer employment data specifically for criminal psychology or forensic psychology. However, according to the BLS, all types of psychologists made a median annual wage of $92,740 as of May 2023.5 The estimated job growth for all types of psychologists is 7%, faster than average, from 2023 to 2033, accounting for an estimated increase of 14,000 new jobs in the field.6
