Improving graduate education in legal psychology: Early career psychologists' recommendations on diversity, debt, and applying legal psychology in the real world.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE This article reviews how training programs and professional organizations can work together to better prepare legal psychology graduate students and early career professionals (ECPs) for their first postgraduate careers. METHOD In 2019, the American Psychology-Law Society released a report exploring the unique needs of ECPs in the field of legal psychology. The surveyed ECPs overwhelmingly highlighted the importance of grappling with rising student debt, the critical need to diversify our field and better prepare students for jobs outside academia, and a desire for more policy and real-world experience. Much work remains to better support our ECPs. This article reviews the relevant literature and the 2019 survey findings to provide legal psychology graduate training programs and professional organizations with 12 recommendations to better address ECPs' stated needs and prepare students for their transition to postgraduate life. RESULTS First, we describe how graduate programs and organizations can successfully diversify legal psychology by not only expanding membership but also creating an inclusive community in which members can thrive. Next, we outline how to best support students' financial needs by providing financial education early and advocating for expanded financial support. Finally, we discuss the importance of preparing students for a variety of careers to ensure greater student success and expand the impact of legal psychology. Specifically, graduate training and professional development should reflect the vast career opportunities throughout academia, clinical practice, industry, advocacy, and government. CONCLUSION Together, these recommendations encourage graduate programs and organizations such as the American Psychology-Law Society to augment their support of graduate students and ECPs navigating an ever-changing career landscape. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).