Training and career options in psychology and law

Abstract

This article examines various training and career options in psychology and law. Data are discussed &om a survey of universities which offer psycholegal training. Psycholegal training programs in the US and Canada are identified. We also discuss policy and research careers €or persons jointly trained in psychology and law.

Navigating the Expanding Field of Law and Psychology: A Comprehensive Guide to Graduate Education

“…Additionally, this survey project, like those undertaken before it (e.g., Grisso et al, 1982;Melton, 1987;Roesch et al, 1986;Tomkins & Ogloff, 1990), allows the psychology-and-law field to examine and assess the state of its graduate education. Given the current expansion in the field, a project such as this can give the discipline greater awareness of ongoing developments in the various graduate programs.…”

“…Similarly, Poythress (1979) identified the need for formal interdisciplinary training, noting JD/PhD programs as one option but also proposing a curriculum track leading to a forensic minor or a doctorate in forensic psychology. Numerous other scholars in the early years of the field affirmed the need for systematic and specialized psycholegal training and education (Freeman & Roesch, 1992;Gormally & Brodsky, 1973: Heilbrun & Annis, 1988Liss, 1992;Ogloff, 1990;Roesch, Grisso, & Poythress, 1986;Tomkins & Ogloff, 1990).…”

The Time Is Now: The Emerging Need for Master's-Level Training in Forensic Psychology

“…In fact, an examination of the reviews exploring higher education in forensic psychology (Otto, Heilbrun, & Grisso, 1990;Roesch, Grisso, & Poythress, 1986;Tomkins & Ogloff, 1990) revealed only two sentences devoted to an assessment of training in the areas of forensic or legal psychology at a master's level (Grisso, Sales, & Bayless, 1982). Additionally, The Villanova Conference, which involved several days of comprehensive discussions of the full range of training programs noted above, included no mention of existing master's degree forensic psychology training programs or the potential for developing such programs in the future (Bersoff et al, 1997).…”

Two steps forward and one step backward: The law and psychology movement(s) in the 20th century.

“…Furthermore, using the term ''law and psychology'' poses a question of what one calls those who work in the area. Surely, terms like ''law and psychologists'' or-as I'm embarrassed to admit a colleague and I suggested previously-''psycholegologists'' (Tomkins & Ogloff, 1990) are unnecessarily cumbersome. Also, other terms, like ''forensic psychologist'' or ''criminal psychologist,'' as they have been interpreted and commonly used (see, e.g., Otto, Heilbrun, & Grisso, 1990), are too narrow to capture the breadth of the field.…”