Ever since I was 9 and saw Silence of the Lambs, I've wanted to be a profiler of serial killers.?

Question

Now that I'm ready to go to college, what classes should I take to become a profiler/criminal profiler?

Answer 1

Psychology, or criminal psychology if such a field of study is offered. Concentrate on the study of psychopaths and sociopaths, which is not generally part of the standard curriculum - this is because these are not strictly mental illnesses as much as mental defects. But most serial killers, if not all, are clearly psychopathic.

Answer 2

Ever since I saw Silence of the Lambs, I've wanted to eat people's livers (with some fava beans, and a nice chianti).

Ha ha, no...I actually have a friend who does just that...she is a Criminal Profiler, and she works for the Tulsa, Oklahoma police. She is also occasionally "borrowed" by the FBI to work on some of their cases. She attended Cameron University, which is in Oklahoma (not sure which city).

She is extremely smart, and I think it takes an exceptional person to do a job like that. Good luck to you!

Answer 3

To become a criminal profiler, you need the exposure of both fields by majoring in psychology and minor in criminal justice. Among psychology course, try taking courses such as personality, biopsychology, learning, abnormal psychology, forensic psychology, and/or police psychology. In addition to the fundamental criminal justice courses, take courses that address psychology-relevant topics, such as theories of crime and punishment.

Take advantage any internships or field placements that are available in forensic settings (for example, the forensic unit at a state mental hospital, a probation/parole office, a spouse abuse shelter, a court services center, a mediation center, etc.) Look for summer jobs or volunteer work in forensic settings. Attend a citizens police academy or go on a ride-along a local police department.

If you would like to be the very few to work as a forensic or criminal psychologist doing criminal profiling for the law enforcement, it is best to earn a doctorate in clinical, counseling or forensic psychology, which takes around five-to-seven years to complete. To specialize in forensics, psychologists take post-doctoral fellowship training in forensic psychology. All states require licensure for practicing psychologists. Requirements vary from state-to-state, but at minimum you'll need to pass a state certification examination, hold a doctorate or master's degree from an accredited institution and have one year of fieldwork. The American Psychological Association (APA) accredits doctoral training programs in clinical, counseling, and school psychology. After getting considerable experience and continuing education, some forensic psychologists will go on to become Board Certified in the forensic psychology specialty. The best-known certification board is the American Board of Forensic Psychology, which offers the title of Diplomate to people who meet its standards and pass its examination.

I have provided you a link of universities below to continue your education if you want to become a forensic psychologist:
http://programs.gradschools.com/usa/forensic_psychology.html

Answer 4

Lots of psychology, sociology, criminal justice. Check with the FBI Academy.

Answer 5

You should take Psychology adn criminal justice types of classes. Biology would be nice.

Answer 6

Get your BS in Psychology, and then get an MA in Forensic Psychology. That's what I'm doing.

Answer 7

Any English major would be more than sufficient to pass the FBI exam first phase.

Answer 8

All of the info given below is good. It is also helpful to study different cultures.