2 answers
1
Question
Asked
963 views
as a highschool student, what would i need to do to go to university and major in criminal psychology?
im in year 10 this year, i'm currently wanting to get information on my university major/topics. i'm interested in studying criminal psychology, and criminal justice. what topics would i have to specify in for this goal?
also any tips for further year 11&12 electives that would help me achieve this?
Login to comment
2 answers
Updated
Dr’s Answer
Beverly gave some fantastic advice, and you’re already on the right track by planning ahead. Criminal psychology is a fascinating field that combines psychology and the justice system, focusing on understanding criminal behavior, profiling, and rehabilitation. Since it involves both psychology and law, your preparation should cover both areas in a way that makes your transition to university as smooth as possible.
One of the first things you should do is choose high school subjects that align with your future studies. Psychology, if your school offers it, would be ideal since it gives you a head start in understanding human behavior, cognitive processes, and mental disorders, all of which are essential in criminal psychology. Legal studies can help you develop a foundational understanding of how the criminal justice system works, which is crucial for understanding the legal aspects of crime, including how laws are applied and how the court system operates. Biology can be surprisingly useful, especially if you're interested in forensic psychology, since understanding the brain and human behavior from a biological perspective plays a significant role in criminal psychology. Strong math and statistics skills are also important because psychology involves a lot of research and data analysis, and learning how to interpret psychological studies will be a major part of your university coursework. English is another crucial subject because strong reading comprehension and writing skills will help with essays, research papers, and analyzing case studies effectively.
Beyond academics, hands-on experience will give you a major advantage when applying to universities. Volunteering with organizations related to mental health, crisis intervention, or youth counseling can provide insight into psychological work in real-world settings. If there are local community programs focused on crime prevention or rehabilitation, getting involved can give you direct exposure to how psychology is applied in the justice system. You could also reach out to professionals working in criminal psychology or forensic psychology to ask about shadowing opportunities. Observing how experts conduct evaluations, work with law enforcement, or assess criminal behavior will help you understand what a career in this field truly looks like.
Developing key skills will also be important as you move forward. Critical thinking and problem-solving skills are essential because analyzing criminal behavior often requires identifying patterns and interpreting psychological reports. Having a strong sense of empathy and excellent communication skills will help when working with victims, offenders, or law enforcement, as understanding human emotions and effectively communicating findings is a big part of the job. Resilience is another major factor since studying criminal behavior can be emotionally demanding, especially when dealing with violent offenders or disturbing cases. It’s important to develop strategies for managing stress and maintaining emotional balance.
Exploring university programs early will help you refine your path and make informed decisions. Some universities offer a double major in criminal justice and psychology, while others have forensic psychology programs specifically tailored to those interested in criminal behavior. Researching different programs and reaching out to admissions offices will allow you to see what specific high school courses they recommend. Some schools may even have early admissions or pre-university programs where you can take introductory psychology or criminology courses while still in high school.
Staying curious and continuously learning outside the classroom will also set you apart. Reading books on criminal psychology, such as The Lucifer Effect by Philip Zimbardo or Mindhunter by John E. Douglas, can introduce you to real-life case studies and theories used in profiling criminals. Watching documentaries, listening to psychology and criminology podcasts, and following current cases will give you insight into how criminal psychology is applied in the real world.
Overall, taking the right high school courses, gaining hands-on experience, developing essential skills, researching university programs, and continuing to learn on your own will all help set you up for success in criminal psychology. It’s a challenging but rewarding field, and the more preparation you do now, the easier your transition to university and eventually your career will be. If you stay focused, keep asking questions, and take advantage of every opportunity to learn and gain experience, you’ll be well on your way to a successful career in criminal psychology.
All the best Kristel, good luck!
Start a psychology or criminology blog or journal where you analyze real-life cases, psychological concepts, or criminal behavior. This will help you develop critical thinking, research skills, and a deeper understanding of the field while also building a portfolio that could impress university admissions officers and future employers. Plus, it’ll give you a unique perspective on what areas of criminal psychology interest you the most.
Join or start a debate club focused on legal and ethical issues in criminal psychology. Debating real-world cases and ethical dilemmas will sharpen your analytical thinking, public speaking, and ability to argue different perspectives—essential skills for a future in criminal psychology. Plus, it shows universities that you’re actively engaging with complex topics in the field.
Start reading real criminal case studies and psychological analyses. Books, documentaries, and even court transcripts can give you insight into criminal behavior, investigative techniques, and the psychological factors behind crimes. This will help you develop critical thinking skills, familiarize yourself with key concepts, and show universities your genuine interest in the field.
Join online forums or communities related to criminology and psychology. Engaging in discussions with professionals, students, and enthusiasts can expose you to different perspectives, current research, and real-world applications of criminal psychology. Platforms like Reddit (r/criminology, r/psychology), professional LinkedIn groups, or even attending webinars can help you stay informed and build connections in the field.
One of the first things you should do is choose high school subjects that align with your future studies. Psychology, if your school offers it, would be ideal since it gives you a head start in understanding human behavior, cognitive processes, and mental disorders, all of which are essential in criminal psychology. Legal studies can help you develop a foundational understanding of how the criminal justice system works, which is crucial for understanding the legal aspects of crime, including how laws are applied and how the court system operates. Biology can be surprisingly useful, especially if you're interested in forensic psychology, since understanding the brain and human behavior from a biological perspective plays a significant role in criminal psychology. Strong math and statistics skills are also important because psychology involves a lot of research and data analysis, and learning how to interpret psychological studies will be a major part of your university coursework. English is another crucial subject because strong reading comprehension and writing skills will help with essays, research papers, and analyzing case studies effectively.
Beyond academics, hands-on experience will give you a major advantage when applying to universities. Volunteering with organizations related to mental health, crisis intervention, or youth counseling can provide insight into psychological work in real-world settings. If there are local community programs focused on crime prevention or rehabilitation, getting involved can give you direct exposure to how psychology is applied in the justice system. You could also reach out to professionals working in criminal psychology or forensic psychology to ask about shadowing opportunities. Observing how experts conduct evaluations, work with law enforcement, or assess criminal behavior will help you understand what a career in this field truly looks like.
Developing key skills will also be important as you move forward. Critical thinking and problem-solving skills are essential because analyzing criminal behavior often requires identifying patterns and interpreting psychological reports. Having a strong sense of empathy and excellent communication skills will help when working with victims, offenders, or law enforcement, as understanding human emotions and effectively communicating findings is a big part of the job. Resilience is another major factor since studying criminal behavior can be emotionally demanding, especially when dealing with violent offenders or disturbing cases. It’s important to develop strategies for managing stress and maintaining emotional balance.
Exploring university programs early will help you refine your path and make informed decisions. Some universities offer a double major in criminal justice and psychology, while others have forensic psychology programs specifically tailored to those interested in criminal behavior. Researching different programs and reaching out to admissions offices will allow you to see what specific high school courses they recommend. Some schools may even have early admissions or pre-university programs where you can take introductory psychology or criminology courses while still in high school.
Staying curious and continuously learning outside the classroom will also set you apart. Reading books on criminal psychology, such as The Lucifer Effect by Philip Zimbardo or Mindhunter by John E. Douglas, can introduce you to real-life case studies and theories used in profiling criminals. Watching documentaries, listening to psychology and criminology podcasts, and following current cases will give you insight into how criminal psychology is applied in the real world.
Overall, taking the right high school courses, gaining hands-on experience, developing essential skills, researching university programs, and continuing to learn on your own will all help set you up for success in criminal psychology. It’s a challenging but rewarding field, and the more preparation you do now, the easier your transition to university and eventually your career will be. If you stay focused, keep asking questions, and take advantage of every opportunity to learn and gain experience, you’ll be well on your way to a successful career in criminal psychology.
All the best Kristel, good luck!
Dr recommends the following next steps:
Thank you so much, I’ve alway been so interested in the criminal minds and interpreting their actions. I watch and read dectective and mystery books. Criminal psychology was introduced to me via reading a book and ever since then, I love it, I make notes on the book or movie.
Thank you so much for your advice, I will 100% take this in mind. I’m very grateful.
Have a lovely day
kristal
Absolutely, Kristal! You're already killing it by diving into books and making notes — that's exactly how the best minds start out. Keep geeking out on what you love, stay curious, and trust that you're on the right path. Have a lovely day too and stay blessed! 😇
Dr H
Updated
Beverly’s Answer
Hi Kristal,
You are about to embark upon an essential career in criminal justice and psychology. Both fields have separate majors, and some schools may combine them for a more specific focus.
Please see my suggestions below.
Best wishes in your career journey!
Beverly
Check with your school guidance counselor to find schools that have the major you are seeking.
Contact the schools that fit your geographic and price range to set up tours, interviews, and to attend open house events.
Speak to your local police department to see if they can give you suggestions on how to proceed. Perhaps there is a staff member who has criminal psychology background.
Contact the admissions counselors in the colleges that interest you to see which high school courses they suggest you take to prepare for admission. Ask what the admission criteria are so you get a head start on an acceptance when you apply later.
Volunteer and shadow police departments, counseling centers that have criminal psychology counselors and check into community programs to become involved now.
You are about to embark upon an essential career in criminal justice and psychology. Both fields have separate majors, and some schools may combine them for a more specific focus.
Please see my suggestions below.
Best wishes in your career journey!
Beverly
Beverly recommends the following next steps: