• Undergo a rigorous background investigation, credit checks, and a polygraph in order to obtain a Top Secret Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) clearance

• Pass all physical fitness requirements; must be physically fit to complete training at the FBI academy at Quantico, VA, and maintain a high level of fitness throughout your career

• Pass a medical exam, which includes but is not limited to, meeting visual and hearing standards

• Complete approximately 19 weeks of employment as a Special Agency trainee, while housed at the FBI Academy at Quantico

• All Special Agent candidates must complete the Special Agent Selection System (SASS), a mentally and physically challenging process designed to find only the most capable applicants

• Be at least 23 years old and have not yet reached your 37th birthday on appointment

• Have 2 years of full-time professional work experience

• Meet the FBI’s Employment Eligibility requirements

• Possess a valid driver’s license with at least 6 months of driving experience

• Candidates must have a Bachelor’s degree or higher (preferably in psychology, social work, counseling, or similar fields) from a U

• All degrees must be from an accredited college or university and must be verified by submitting college transcripts

• Hold a current and valid license as a Licensed Independent Marriage and Family Therapist (LIMFT), Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC), Licensed Independent Social Worker (LISW), or Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)

• Possess a master’s or doctorate degree in social work, Marriage and Family Therapy, Mental Health Counseling, or psychology

• Demonstrate excellent communication and interpersonal skills, fostering a safe and trusting therapeutic relationship with clients

• Show empathy, compassion, and non-judgmental attitude towards clients’ experiences and challenges

• Exhibit strong organizational and time-management skills to effectively manage caseload and administrative tasks

• Intervention Specialist License Issued ODE

• Bachelor’s Degree

A faculty member I would be honored to work with would be Dr. Elizabeth Athaide-Victor. After reviewing the information available on the Tiffin University Forensic Psychology page, she seems to be very professional yet easy to get along with and ask questions too. She has worked in many different psychology fields. On her information page, it claims she believes she cannot teach without “doing”. Dr. Victor also belongs to several professional organizations including the American Psychological Association, the Academy of Criminal Justice Studies, the Association for Women in Psychology, the Association of Hispanic Psychologists, and the American Society of Criminology. She is also a Board Certified Forensic Examiner. 

The materials I would need for my application are unavailable. This is because Tiffin University will not allow you to view this information until you are applying for the following year. For example, as of this current moment, the only way I would be able to view this information is if I was enrolling in the program by August 2024. Since I will still be completing my undergraduate degree, I can not do this. This also includes the deadline for the application. 

The average cost per course for a Forensic Psychology Master’s degree is around $1,890. This does however include the cost of books and fees that will also need to be paid to complete this course. All funding that would be available is included in what I previously stated where the information is unavailable for the time being. 

The only additional information that is currently available to me that I found interesting was that their classes are only on Saturdays. This allows students to work full-time during the week and build their careers as they complete their Master’s degrees.

When researching their faculty, I could not find a member who was focused on clinical mental health counseling strictly. I did find a woman named Oliva B. Krise, who is a former student from Kent State and is now a staff member. She focused mainly on those who suffer from hearing loss and helped them with translation which piqued my interest. I am not sure why it did, but I believe it’s because it made me think about how those who suffer from hearing loss struggle to find a therapist or counselor who can make accommodations for this. 

The materials needed for my application include a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university, minimum 3.000 GPA undergraduate on a 4.000 scale, official transcripts, a goal statement, questions in the Anticipation of  Licensure Form, a supplemental interview form, two letters of recommendation, an interview, and an English language proficiency. The deadline for applications varies depending on when you apply. For the Fall semester, the application is December 15, the Spring semester is September 1, and the Summer semester is February 1.

After a lot of research, I could not find out what the average cost of schooling is and what funding is available for this program. 

Some additional information that I believe is important is that all the classes are on-campus and are everyday. The program appears to me an 18 month program.

There is no information on the faculty and staff available on their website, however, I did notice that they have a 1:1 student-to-staff ratio, which I think is fantastic. This would lead to more one-on-one time with professors and developing a more personal relationship, which is important to me.

As for materials needed for the application, there is no information available until you request it, such as Tiffin. The only application information available is the deadline, which the next upcoming deadline is December 6, 2023. 

Although there is very limited information available on their website, I believe this program would be perfect for me from what I can see. It is strictly online, allowing me to be able to work at least part-time while getting my degree, it is 60 credit hours, and has a 100% job placement rating within 6 months.