Below is a list of publications describing educational opportunities for students interested in psychology and law. The purpose of the Pre-Law Psychology track is to provide students with a comprehensive education in psychology while ensuring that students who wish to become lawyers complete the courses recommended for law school. The American Psychology-Law Society, APA Division 41, is actively involved in the education and career development of psychologists in the field of psychology and law. Information on university training programs is an important element for the future growth of the field. We also have a list and brief description of university programs (graduate programs in psychology and law) that offer studies in psychology and law. These include joint Ph.D./Young Women`s programs, PhD programs focused on psychology and law, and master`s programs with psychology and law courses. Although law and psychology are two distinct fields, they are united by their interest in human behavior. Psychology attempts to understand and explain human behavior, while the law attempts to regulate human behavior. This means that those interested in the study of human behavior should not limit themselves to considering careers that, at first glance, do not seem relevant to psychology.
In fact, educational programs are beginning to recognize the significant overlap between psychology and law, and this is evident in schools that offer a joint law degree and psychology (i.e., JD/Ph.D.). To better understand the application of psychology to law, this week we present Craig Michael, B.A. in Psychology and JD, who decided to use his studies in psychology in the legal field. One example is a dual degree program that combines forensic psychology, which explores the intersection of psychology and law, with a Master of Juridical Studies (MLS). The latter program goes much further in an examination of the U.S. legal system that could be achieved by studying only forensic psychology — so courses in both disciplines complement each other and have access to psychology schools and law professors. A double degree is a unique opportunity to integrate the study of multiple disciplines into your education, especially if you combine the fundamentals of law with the clinical expertise of psychological education. Community psychology focuses on processes that connect social systems and contexts to individual behavior, with explicit attention to promoting health and empowerment and preventing problems in communities, groups, and individuals. While community and social psychology shares an interest in the person and the environment, community psychology is more oriented toward the social forces of the outside world and how they affect individuals, families, and communities. For some community psychologists interested in social change, the law represents the social institution that reflects and promotes the values and norms of a community and serves as both a facilitator and a barrier to social change efforts.
Visit our website to learn more about possible careers for psychology majors and follow us on Twitter. The study of law and psychology are not so different from each other. Both overlap with our daily lives; Both seek to grasp the complexity of human behavior – and influence it for the better. So, if you decide to advance your career in one of these areas, it may be beneficial to consider a dual degree in law and psychology, which offers the opportunity to explore, understand, and combine the two. The benefits of psychology combined with a law degree make it a strong program opportunity that provides students with in-depth knowledge and understanding of their fields of study. Bersoff, D. (1999). Preparation for two cultures: education and training in law and psychology. In Roesch, R., Hart, S., & Ogloff, J. (eds.). Psychology and law: the state of the discipline.
New York: Kluwer/Plenum. Can I enter law school without a prior degree? Students do not need to study privilege to enter law school, but they must meet other requirements. Students need GPA and high LSAT scores. The LSAT, which has been the law school`s standardized test since 1948, is a good indicator of the success of the law school. Law straddles a variety of different fields, but combining a law degree with a dual degree in psychology could be particularly helpful in advancing your career. Areas such as criminal justice, criminal law, and forensic psychology cover both psychology and law, and a dual degree allows you to receive training in both. Psychologists could focus on criminal behavior, decision-making, clinical psychology, and mental health, while legal studies cover criminal law, legal systems in the United States, and law enforcement. A basic knowledge of both builds a bridge between the two and allows for a holistic overview when studying both fields. Jonathan Golding, Ph.D., is Professor of Psychology at the University of Kentucky. Anne Lippert, Ph.D., is a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Kentucky.
Like developmental psychologists, most social and cognitive psychologists with legal interests are engaged in colleges and universities where they teach and conduct research. Less commonly, they are used by government agencies, private foundations or non-profit organizations that conduct a combination of advocacy and policy formulation and analysis. Other social and cognitive psychologists may be involved in the law as independent consultants. For example, some individuals who provide counselling services to students have been trained in social or cognitive psychology through traditional programs. Each of these psychologists may sometimes be asked to give expert opinions before the courts on issues related to social behaviour or thought processes. Like other psychologists, many community psychologists interested in psychology and law teach and do research at colleges. However, unlike other areas of psychology, a number of community psychologists work outside academia in government agencies (e.g., General Accounting Office, state health and social service agencies), non-profit organizations (e.g., shelter for women victims of domestic violence, children`s advocacy group), foundations or other community advocacy groups and service settings. Developmental psychology focuses on psychological issues involved in human development throughout life. Psychological processes of interest to developmental psychologists include social, personality, cognitive and neuropsychological development.
Some developmental psychologists are interested in understanding developmental processes in young children, while others work in the field of adolescent or adult development. Psychology is a natural major for someone interested in a career in law.
