From responding to traffic accidents to interrogating suspects, law enforcement officers interact with people — often on one of the worst days of their lives. Being able to communicate clearly and effectively in stressful situations is vital. Police officers need to remain calm, maintain composure and perform the duties at hand. Having a better understanding of why people think and act in a certain way can help officers listen and respond appropriately to a crisis.
An applied psychology degree, like the programs offered online by Florida Institute of Technology, focuses on applying psychological principles to solve problems. In law enforcement, officers work in a variety of departments and may have specialized duties that require working with specific populations, including children, people with mental illnesses and even inmates in the prison system.
Why Does Psychology Matter in Criminal Justice?
Psychology is the scientific study of the mind and human behavior, including unconscious and conscious thoughts, perceptions and emotions. For criminal justice professionals, studying psychology could provide valuable insight into people’s motivations, mental state and drivers for certain behavior, including criminal acts.
For those in criminal justice, studying psychology teaches more than how to become an effective communicator. The discipline also offers hard and soft skills applicable to a career in law enforcement, including the following applications:
- School resource officers benefit from earning a B.A. in applied psychology with a concentration in child advocacy by studying child development, child advocacy and other critical issues, such as domestic violence, delinquency and crime prevention.
- By earning a B.A. in applied psychology with a concentration in forensic psychology, detectives and other investigators study the psychological aspects of human behavior and how it applies to the criminal justice system.
Essential Skills for Law Enforcement
Knowing how to understand individual and group behavior is just one of several workplace skills students gain while earning a degree in psychology. Earning a degree in psychology can provide current and future police officers competencies and knowledge needed to develop and sharpen critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Additionally, other skills include:
- Evaluating the legitimacy of claims about behavior
- Knowing how learning and memory functions
- Having insight into problematic behaviors
- Managing difficult situations and high-stress environments
- Starting and executing projects with limited information or experience
- Improving self-awareness and developing higher EQ (emotional intelligence)
- Exhibiting persistence in challenging circumstances
Overall, psychology students obtain a broad set of competencies that enable professionals to work in a team, remain flexible, conduct research and apply knowledge in real-world settings. Some career opportunities in law enforcement include criminal profiler, criminologist and prison psychologist.
Why Earn an Applied Psychology Degree Online?
Educational requirements vary depending on the agency’s requirements. However, they generally range from a high school diploma to a college degree, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). To pursue a career as a police officer, candidates must have the educational requirements needed to enter an agency’s training academy.
In addition to graduating from the academy, candidates must meet rigorous physical and personal qualifications, BLS states. Federal agencies such as the FBI typically require investigators and detectives to hold a bachelor’s degree.
While completing police academy training and criminal justice courses prepares officers for this profession, studying applied psychology can provide additional in-depth knowledge of human emotions and behavior. In Florida Tech’s online B.A. in applied psychology programs, students explore these topics in core courses, such as Social Psychology and Abnormal Psychology, as well as in concentration courses like Victim Studies and Advocacy. Additionally, earning an advanced degree from Florida Tech can set you apart in an industry that is starting to favor postsecondary education.
Learn more about Florida Tech’s online applied psychology programs.
