PhD Clinical Psychology Field Experience:

Forensic Psychology

Study criminal behavior, explore a new career path, or pursue doctoral-level studies when you earn your master’s in forensic psychology online at Walden.

Learn research methods to evaluate programs aimed at forensic populations, conduct forensic assessments, and work to enhance systems and programs for incarcerated and recently released offenders and other forensic populations, including juveniles. Walden’s Master’s in Forensic Psychology is one of the only online graduate programs of its kind.

Field Experience

The Field Experience (FE) is one of your two options for your final course in your degree program.  The other final project course option is called the "Capstone Project" and your Student Success Advisor can tell you more about this class.

In regards to the Field Experience final class option, the FE is a capstone experience designed to provide students who have finished their course work with the opportunity to synthesize knowledge in the foundation areas identified by Forensic Psychology, to apply knowledge to the solution of forensic psychological issues, and also to develop a respect for and commitment to continued professional knowledge. The field experience exposes the student to possible career options as a Forensic Psychology professional, and typically provides opportunities for exposure to the job responsibilities of a forensic psychology professional or a professional working in a forensic-related field as indicated below. Your field experience will entail your observation/shadowing of a professional performing the tasks typical of a forensic psychologist or in forensic fields.

Acceptable field experience domains:

• Corrections -- Judiciary System -- Civil Law
• Criminal Law -- Public Policy -- Law Enforcement
• Government -- Health Care -- Research
• Family Law -- Non-profit -- Crime investigation
• Other types of agencies may be approved only if they demonstrate a clear nexus with forensic psychology.

You will be required to complete a total of 60 work hours of field experience within 11 weeks of the term. Field experience must take place within the 11-weeks of the term when you are enrolled in the field experience course (FPSY 6915).

Licensure Note: The M.S. in Forensic Psychology is not a licensure program and does not prepare an individual to become a licensed psychology professional.

Meditrek Note: Students in this degree program do not use Meditrek, only students in our licensure-track programs with field requirements do, so you will not receive an account.

Step one:  Secure a site

Step two:  Once you have a site secured, we request that you email Dr. Deanna Deaton, field coordinator for this program (deanna.deaton@mail.waldenu.edu), and run your plan by her to make sure it sounds like a good fit.  Once you hear back from her, please reach out to the Senior Field Education Coordinator (SFEC), Jennifer Hanson (psychologyfield@mail.waldenu.edu), with Dr. Deaton's written approval.

Step three: MS Forensic Psychology Letter of Agreement Form

This form is required to begin your field experience.  Students will need to obtain the name and email address of the contact person at their proposed Field Experience site and send this to the field office (psychologyfield@mail.waldenu.edu).  The SFEC will then reach out to the site to obtain their signature on this contract between Walden University and the site.  Students are only involved in providing the contact information, not in obtaining the signature, which is solely done by the field office.  

Step four:  COVID-19 Acknowledgement Waiver

Student will need to review and sign this form if they are planning to complete their Field Experience on site. 

Step five: The field office will register everyone who has submitted the two documents explained above.  Once registered, you will have access to your classroom where you will be an active student participating in discussions and coursework alongside your FE activity, whereby you are accruing your 60 required hours.  

Deadline:  There is no real deadline other than making sure you have communicated with both Dr. Deaton and Jennifer Hanson and received pre-approval for the site you have selected, and all paperwork has been submitted, before the quarter starts so that you are registered appropriately.