What I am Studying and Why

I have reached a stage of my life where I frequently get asked the two same questions over and over. The first question I get asked is “what are you going to school for?” This question is immediately followed by “what are you going to do with that?” I thought I would take a moment to answer these questions in a brief blog post, so that if any of my loyal 18 subscribers still desire to know, you can just read the blog! 

What Am I Doing Right Now? 

Starting off strong, the first question is always “what are you doing?” So here is the answer. 

I am in my first year of a master’s of Forensic Psychology program at the University of Denver. The program is 2 years long, and I should graduate in June 2025. 

Currently besides the 2-3 days I spend in class, I also spend 2 full days a week at my internship where I provide Substance Use and Domestic Violence treatment and other services (under the supervision of excellent counselors, of course). I spend one full day a week working as a student success coach for undergraduate and graduate students. The rest of my time I spend doing my homework and hanging out with my friends. 

Wait, What is Forensic Psychology? 

The next question is usually a 2-for-1 special with people not knowing what forensic psychology is, or what it is that I want to do long term. 

In brief, Forensic Psychology is the application of psychological services (think counseling, assessments, and psychological treatment) to the field of forensics (people or institutions connected to the justice system). If that still feels a bit abstract, you can think about rehabilitative treatment for people who are in jail or prison. Forensic Psychologists also provide offender treatment and sentencing recommendations, child custody evaluations, and expert testimony at trials. 

At the moment, I am most interested in the assessment scope of a forensic psychologist’s duties. I want to do risk assessments on offenders, either before or after trial, and hopefully on repeat violent sexual offenders. I am also interested in learning more about military psychology, like the evaluation and assessment of hostile parties overseas. 

So What Is Next?

Ideally, passing all my classes and not failing out of graduate school is very much the next step for me. Assuming I successfully pass my classes and complete my program, I will either immediately pursue my doctorate degree, or, I will apply for a license so that I can practice. If all of these fail, I will fall back on the one consistent life goal I have had since I was a child: becoming a trophy NBA wife! 

** I refuse to believe that it's hard. All I have to do is be hot, sit courtside with my girls, watch basketball, and get compulsively cheated on?? Like that’s like only 4 things, and 3 of them I am already pretty good at.