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Matt Zbrog
How to Become a Forensic Counselor
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Legal and mental health issues are often related, and forensic counselors work precisely where they overlap. Forensic counselors work with the families of people who are incarcerated; they offer substance abuse treatment to people on parole; and they develop strategies for teasing out the root causes of someone’s placement in the criminal justice system. In this way, being a forensic counselor means understanding that people in the criminal justice system don’t just require simple punishment—they need help.
Forensic counselors aren’t just social workers, though. Their expert understanding of psychology as it relates to criminal justice allows them to work on many facets of the legal system. Forensic counselors can provide testimony as expert witnesses, sit in on parole meetings, or process inmate evaluations. A forensic counselor’s decisions can drastically alter the course of someone’s life, which is one reason why rigorous academic and licensure requirements are in place for this profession.
Forensic counselors can specialize in many fields, including substance abuse, group therapy, child psychology, or mental health law. They may work in hospitals, correctional facilities, or domestic violence shelters. In any event, this is emotionally heavy work, and it requires the compassion of a social worker, the objectivity of a legal professional, and the scientific rigor of a psychologist. For better or worse, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS 2024) shows the career outlook for community and social service occupations is on the rise; predicted to grow faster than the average for all occupations from 2023 to 2033. About 299,400 openings are projected each year, on average, in these occupations.
With the average salary of a forensic counselor coming in at just under $55,000 a year, this isn’t a profession that’s motivated by money. But, interestingly, a PayScale (2024) survey with over 3,500 respondents found the vast majority of forensic counselors to be highly satisfied with their job. Of course, that might have something to do with the fact that their day-to-day lives involve being guardian angels for some of the least fortunate members of society.
But a guardian angel needs more than wings – forensic counselors need a degree, experience, and a license. In addition, forensic counseling has unique pathways that can validate a professional as an expert in their subject and make them eligible to practice.
Read on to get our step-by-step guide to becoming a forensic counselor.
Step-by-Step Guide to Becoming a Forensic Counselor
Step One: Earn a Bachelor’s Degree (Four Years)
After graduating high school, aspiring forensic counselors must earn a bachelor’s degree. Majors that revolve around psychology are the ideal choice for aspiring forensic counselors and programs that focus on forensic psychology specifically. Admissions requirements vary from school to school but generally include some combination of the following: a competitive high school GPA (3.0 or greater); SAT and ACT scores; letters of recommendation; and a personal essay.
Arizona State University has an online bachelor of science in psychology with a concentration in forensic psychology. Going deeper than some bachelor of arts degrees in the subject, students take lab courses and advanced statistical training to better understand forensic psychology’s neuroscientific aspects.
The university offers both a BS and BA in psychology with a forensic psychology concentration. The BS program provides more of a foundation in science and math emphasizing neuroscientific and biological understanding. The BA in forensic psychology focuses on concepts related to the justice system and human behavior. It focuses less on science and math, instead offering more electives and course selection.
Courses cover topics such as forensic psychology; psychology and law; correctional psychology; psychological disorders; research methods; and statistical methods. The program consists of 120 credits and can be completed entirely online in four years through 7.5-week courses.
- Location: Phoenix, AZ
- Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
- Expected Time to Completion: Four years
Maryville University offers an online bachelor of arts in forensic psychology that lays the groundwork for graduate-level education. The curriculum covers the intersection of three distinct areas: psychology, criminal justice, and social science. During this program, students will complete a 135-hour internship in their chosen setting, as well as a senior project capstone experience.
Courses include criminal behavior; juvenile delinquency; abnormal psychology; criminal investigations; and police psychology. The program consists of 128 credits and courses are designed to meet American Psychological Association standards.
Graduates can take up roles such as police officers, detectives, criminal investigators, forensic psychologists, correctional officers, victim advocates, community service specialists, and forensic social workers.
- Location: St. Louis, MO
- Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
- Expected Time to Completion: Four years
Southern New Hampshire University
Southern New Hampshire University offers a bachelor of arts in psychology with a forensic psychology concentration. Core courses include abnormal psychology; theories of personality; theories of social psychology; scientific investigations; and psychology and social change.
Students in this program automatically earn a 12-credit data literacy in psychology certificate, which verifies an individual’s ability to assess a crime’s psychological impact on individuals, groups, and society, and bolsters one’s credentials as an expert witness. Students can transfer up to 90 credits of courses from bachelor’s or associate’s degree programs.
The concentration in forensic psychology includes courses such as fundamentals of forensic psychology; criminal minds; seminar in forensic psychology; assessment and testing; and evaluation of special populations.
- Location: Manchester, NH
- Accreditation: New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)
- Expected Time to Completion: Four years
Step Two: Earn a Master’s Degree (One to Three Years)
After earning their bachelor’s degree, aspiring forensic counselors need to earn a master’s degree in forensic psychology or mental health counseling. This isn’t an optional step for those seeking credentials in the field; state licensure (see step four below) requires forensic counselors to have a master’s degree.
Admissions requirements vary from school to school but generally include some combination of the following: a competitive undergraduate GPA (3.0 or greater); GRE scores (waivers available); undergraduate coursework in psychology; letters of recommendation; and a personal statement.
Marymount University offers a master of arts program in forensic and legal psychology preparing students for rewarding and dynamic careers that tackle pressing issues in the legal system and intelligence community. Within this program, students will have the option to add a concentration in intelligence studies. This five-course track provides students with the skills and knowledge to be competitive in the intelligence community and the private sector companies that support it.
This 39-credit program includes courses such as bases of psychopathology; legal and investigative psychology; psychology of criminal behavior; forensic assessment; victims of interpersonal violence; behavioral criminology; and intelligence analysis, among others.
Marymount University also offers an on-campus dual-degree program that awards a master of arts in forensic and legal psychology (MAFLP) and a master of arts in clinical mental health counseling.
Graduates of the programs meet all requirements to sit for state licensure exams. Courses cover topics such as legal and investigative psychology; forensic assessment; substance abuse assessment and intervention; multicultural counseling; and crisis intervention. The program consists of 75 credits.
- Location: Arlington, VA
- Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
- Expected Time to Completion: Two to three years
John Jay College of Criminal Justice
The John Jay College of Criminal Justice in Manhattan has an on-campus master of arts in forensic mental health counseling program that prepares graduates for state licensure. In collaboration with the psychology department staff, students learn how to interview, counsel, and assess individuals in the legal system. The program requires clinical fieldwork and offers research opportunities for those students interested in pursuing doctoral education.
The courses cover topics such as psychopathology, an introduction to forensic mental health counseling, counseling and psychotherapy methods, criminal behavior, eyewitness identification, ethical issues in forensic mental health, empirical crime scene analysis, and advanced issues in victim counseling and psychotherapy. The program consists of 60 credits.
- Location: New York, NY
- Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
- Expected Time to Completion: Two years
Purdue Global University’s College of Social and Behavioral Sciences offers an online master of science in psychology with a concentration in forensic psychology. The forensic psychology concentration prepares graduates to apply evidence-based psychological theories and concepts to advocate for a diverse range of patients in legal systems. Multiple start dates are available throughout the year for students’ convenience.
The program, which consists of 60 to 75 credits, includes courses such as foundations of professional psychology, applied statistics for psychology, ethics and standards of professional psychology, advanced research methods, foundations of psychopathology, principles of forensic psychology, forensic psychology and the law, and theories of criminal behavior.
- Location: West Lafayette, IN
- Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
- Expected Time to Completion: Two years
Step Three: Gain Work Experience (Two to Three Years)
After earning their master’s degree, forensic counselors will need to start putting theory into practice by gaining early work experience. Since forensic counseling is tailored to each situation and since the consequences of error can be so high, it’s at this stage that new forensic counselors work in supervised conditions. Only once a certain number of supervised work hours have been completed can forensic counselors begin to pursue state licensure (see step four below), which will allow them to practice as fully licensed professionals.
Step Four: Get Licensed (Timeline Varies)
After gaining early work experience, forensic counselors must be licensed by the state they wish to practice in. Licenses will vary in requirements, terminology, and structure from state to state. However, common eligibility requirements include a master’s degree and 2,000 to 40,000 hours of supervised and unsupervised work experience (BLS 2024).
All states require forensic counselors to pass examinations before becoming licensed. The National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) administers the licensure examinations used in all 50 states and maintains a directory of state licensure information for those who wish to clarify their status.
Step Five: Consider Professional Certification (Optional, Timeline Varies)
While it’s not a requirement to practice, many forensic counselors pursue professional certification to demonstrate their commitment to the profession. Many such certification options exist, each with its own requirements and specialties. However common requirements like work experience, graduate-level education, rigorous examinations, and ongoing professional development ensure that professionally certified forensic counselors go above and beyond their non-certified peers.
Here are three organizations offering professional certification for forensic counselors.
The National Board of Forensic Evaluators (NBFE) allows state-licensed counselors to prove their expertise in forensic health evaluation through its Certified Forensic Mental Health Evaluator (CFMHE) designation. Eligibility requirements include a state license to diagnose and treat mental health disorders independently; one year of post-licensure experience; and 40 hours of substantiated forensic documentation.
In addition, applicants must pass a written exam, submit a sample forensic evaluation, and then defend their evaluation in an oral exam. Exam fees vary. CFMHEs must renew their certification annually with a fee of $80 and proof of three hours of continuing education.
The National Association of Forensic Counselors (NAFC) has multiple optional certification methods for state-licensed professionals who become clinical-level members of the NAFC. Specialized tracks are available in mental health, criminal justice, law, corrections, and addictions. The addiction specialties certification requires applicants to have a valid state license; a master’s degree in a relevant subject; three years (or 6,000 hours) of supervised professional experience in addiction specialties; and 270 hours of formal training in addiction specialties.
Once deemed eligible, applicants have six months to take and pass a multiple-choice exam covering common-core knowledge in addiction specialties. Exam fees are $375. NAFC members can renew their membership by paying an annual fee of $125.
The National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) offers optional board certification as a National Certified Counselor (NCC) through its flagship program. To be eligible, applicants must be able to present: a master’s degree in an area relevant to counseling; 100 hours of postgraduate counseling supervision over the last two years; endorsement from a similarly qualified mental health professional; and 3,000 hours of postgraduate counseling work in the previous two years. Note that students may waive some of these requirements for fully state-licensed professionals.
Once deemed eligible, applicants must pass either the National Counselor Examination for Licensure and Certification (NCE) or the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examinations (NCMHCE)—exams also used by states to determine licensure.
Once earned, professionals must recertify the NCC designation every five years through continuing education and annual fees. Those who have earned the NCC designation may pursue further specialized board certifications through the NBCC as a Master Addictions Counselor (MAC) or a Certified Clinical Mental Health Counselor (CCMHC).
Helpful Resources for Forensic Counselors
Forensic counseling has many different sub-disciplines, each with its own vast body of knowledge and best practices. But, as any good forensic counselor will tell you, a holistic view of each individual case is critical in ensuring the best possible outcome. If you’d like to get a view of what professionals in forensic counseling are talking about, check out some of the resources below.
Matt Zbrog is a writer and researcher from Southern California. Since 2018, he’s written extensively about the increasing digitization of investigations, the growing importance of forensic science, and emerging areas of investigative practice like open source intelligence (OSINT) and blockchain forensics. His writing and research are focused on learning from those who know the subject best, including leaders and subject matter specialists from the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE) and the American Academy of Forensic Science (AAFS). As part of the Big Employers in Forensics series, Matt has conducted detailed interviews with forensic experts at the ATF, DEA, FBI, and NCIS.