Educational psychology is the study of the human ability to learn, understand and adjust in an educational environment. The basic school psychology programs involve researching and analyzing the study patterns of students who are either extraordinarily brilliant (gifted genius) or weak students (disabled).

An educational psychologist’s main objective is to study, analyze and understand the problems of students who lag in their studies, their attitude towards studies, and their special interests in some particular subjects or fields by listening to their problems. Their work also involves solving the issues and conveying them to respective class teachers.

An educational psychologist motivates students to perform better and he/she also helps teachers in understanding their students better. It’s the psychologist’s function to devise new strategies and introduce innovations in educational programs to make education more interesting and appealing for students.

They have to ensure that students start enjoying their classroom studies and do not feel burdened with their studies. Most universities/colleges, schools, and other educational institutions have educational psychologists to make students more interested in their studies.

The educational psychologist regularly meets the parents of students to give them their child’s progress report and to enquire about the student’s attitude at home. This helps him/her to deal easily with students and take them into confidence. There are various career options available for educational psychologists in diverse sectors, besides educational institutions, such as in the service sector, rural education programs, kindergartens, hospitals, and government offices.

There are many online colleges offering degree courses in educational psychology that even provide psychology internships to students in their second year. You can also refer to the Journal of educational psychology issued regularly online to learn about the innovations in the field.

Forensic psychology works along with the legal system

Forensic psychology has lately become very popular. Forensic psychology is the application of psychology in law. Forensic psychologists are supposed to study the psychological aspects of the legal system.

A forensic psychologist’s main function is to study and research the legal justice system, suggest reforms in criminal laws, study criminal behavior, and infer whether the subject is guilty or under some pressure. Other responsibilities include prison reformation, invention, and formation of new laws and policies in the legal system.

Forensic psychology is often confused with criminal psychology and forensic science. Forensic psychology encompasses both fields and even more than that. A forensic psychologist is an expert whose main objective is to direct the legal process lawfully.

The psychologist analyzes the criminal’s mindset and finds out if the guilty was in his/her senses when he/she committed the offense. The psychologist has the expertise in analyzing and treating mental disorders in offenders, studying the offender’s mind, and recommending treatment and a special jury for such cases.

Forensic psychologists help criminals change their ways and treat them for alcohol/drug addiction. Therefore, forensic psychology includes all the aspects of behavioral psychology and human psychology. Many students are taking up the discipline as a full-time study program.

Several universities are offering degree courses in forensic psychology and you can even apply for PhD in psychology. There are many career options for forensic psychologists. They can be employed in health units of prisons and rehabilitation centers. Forensic psychologists are trained for crucial situations and anger management of inmates and to control their negative emotions and for the development of their cognitive skills.