OPT Forensic Psychologist Jobs
Forensic Psychologist jobs on OPT sit at the intersection of psychology and the legal system, with most roles requiring a doctoral degree and licensure that can complicate OPT timelines. STEM OPT extension does not apply to this field, so your 12-month clock matters.
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Forensic Psychologist
New Hampshire Hospital - Concord, NH
The Department of Psychiatry at Dartmouth-Hitchcock and the Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth is seeking a doctoral level Forensic Psychologist with strong clinical, research, and teaching interests to join our faculty and serve patients at New Hampshire Hospital, our affiliated state psychiatric facility located in Concord, New Hampshire.
In this role, you would work with an engaged, multidisciplinary team and motivated faculty to provide state-of-the-art forensic psychological services to people with severe behavioral health illnesses in an inpatient setting.
The ideal candidate will be a skilled clinician and enthusiastic teacher, with a strong interest and experience in serving people with severe behavioral health illnesses.
What Dartmouth-Hitchcock has to offer you:
- Established patient base and referral streams
- Collegial and inclusive environment
- Competitive compensation, benefits, and relocation
- Dedicated CME time and funds
What New Hampshire has to offer you:
- Unmatched quality of life
- Four seasons and an outdoor lifestyle
- Access to major cities and airports
- Proximity to mountains and hiking trails
- Driving distance to the seacoast/ocean
- No state sales or income tax in NH!
New Hampshire Hospital has a long tradition of providing excellent care to people who develop mental illnesses. We provide acute, inpatient psychiatric services for adults and the elderly who need active treatment and other essential supports within a continuum of community-based care. Specialized diagnostic and therapeutic services are provided for 2000 patients each year, keeping our 168 beds full. Half of hospital patients are discharged within ten days. Approximately 600 staff includes board certified psychiatrists, general medical services, specialized nursing, allied clinical, administrative and support personnel. To meet our patient’s needs, our goal is to provide for smooth access to services; safety, sensitivity, and compassion in daily care; skill and attentiveness from physicians/residents and nurses; timely, helpful therapies; accommodation of family needs and visits; a clean, restful environment; adequate food and nutrition; timely, clear aftercare planning; and our patients to have an overall feeling of improvement on discharge. This represents a standard of care we would want for our loved ones and ourselves should we be in need of such services.
The Dartmouth Health system stretches over New Hampshire and Vermont and offers the quintessential New England experience. With no income or sales tax, this beautiful area combines history, industry, and business and has been ranked consistently as one of the best places in the US to live and work. Anchored by the academic Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, NH, the system includes the NCI-designated Dartmouth Cancer Center, the Dartmouth Children's Hospital; 4 affiliated hospitals, and 30 ambulatory clinics across the region.
Dartmouth Health is highly dedicated to fostering a diverse and inclusive group of faculty, staff, and trainees to meet the vast needs of our community and patient populations. We are especially interested in applicants who are able to work effectively with and care for individuals from all backgrounds, including but not limited to: racial and ethnic minorities, women, individuals who identify with LGBTQ+ communities, veterans, individuals with disabilities, and/or individuals from lower income backgrounds. We invite applicants to state in their cover letter how their professional and/or life experiences prepare them to advance Dartmouth Health’s commitments to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Minimum Qualifications:
- Completion of a doctoral degree (PhD or PsyD) in clinical or counseling psychology from an APA- or CPA-accredited program.
- Completion of a predoctoral internship from an APA- or CPA-accredited internship program.
- Completion of a postdoctoral fellowship training in forensic psychology.
Required Licensure/Certification Skills:
Licensed or license eligible as a psychologist in the state of NH.
Responsibilities
Qualifications
- Area of Interest: Professional/Management
- Pay Range: $2,080.00/Yr. - $2,079,979.20/Yr. (Based on 40 hours per week, otherwise pro rata)
- FTE/Hours per pay period: 1.00 - 1.00 - 40 hrs/week
- Shift: Day
- Job ID: 38737
Dartmouth Health offers a total compensation package that includes a comprehensive selection of benefits. Our Core Benefits include medical, dental, vision and life insurance, short and long term disability, paid time off, and retirement plans. Click here for information on these benefits and more: Benefits | DHMC and Clinics Careers
Dartmouth Health is an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability.
Overview
Forensic Psychologist
New Hampshire Hospital - Concord, NH
The Department of Psychiatry at Dartmouth-Hitchcock and the Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth is seeking a doctoral level Forensic Psychologist with strong clinical, research, and teaching interests to join our faculty and serve patients at New Hampshire Hospital, our affiliated state psychiatric facility located in Concord, New Hampshire.
In this role, you would work with an engaged, multidisciplinary team and motivated faculty to provide state-of-the-art forensic psychological services to people with severe behavioral health illnesses in an inpatient setting.
The ideal candidate will be a skilled clinician and enthusiastic teacher, with a strong interest and experience in serving people with severe behavioral health illnesses.
What Dartmouth-Hitchcock has to offer you:
- Established patient base and referral streams
- Collegial and inclusive environment
- Competitive compensation, benefits, and relocation
- Dedicated CME time and funds
What New Hampshire has to offer you:
- Unmatched quality of life
- Four seasons and an outdoor lifestyle
- Access to major cities and airports
- Proximity to mountains and hiking trails
- Driving distance to the seacoast/ocean
- No state sales or income tax in NH!
New Hampshire Hospital has a long tradition of providing excellent care to people who develop mental illnesses. We provide acute, inpatient psychiatric services for adults and the elderly who need active treatment and other essential supports within a continuum of community-based care. Specialized diagnostic and therapeutic services are provided for 2000 patients each year, keeping our 168 beds full. Half of hospital patients are discharged within ten days. Approximately 600 staff includes board certified psychiatrists, general medical services, specialized nursing, allied clinical, administrative and support personnel. To meet our patient’s needs, our goal is to provide for smooth access to services; safety, sensitivity, and compassion in daily care; skill and attentiveness from physicians/residents and nurses; timely, helpful therapies; accommodation of family needs and visits; a clean, restful environment; adequate food and nutrition; timely, clear aftercare planning; and our patients to have an overall feeling of improvement on discharge. This represents a standard of care we would want for our loved ones and ourselves should we be in need of such services.
The Dartmouth Health system stretches over New Hampshire and Vermont and offers the quintessential New England experience. With no income or sales tax, this beautiful area combines history, industry, and business and has been ranked consistently as one of the best places in the US to live and work. Anchored by the academic Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, NH, the system includes the NCI-designated Dartmouth Cancer Center, the Dartmouth Children's Hospital; 4 affiliated hospitals, and 30 ambulatory clinics across the region.
Dartmouth Health is highly dedicated to fostering a diverse and inclusive group of faculty, staff, and trainees to meet the vast needs of our community and patient populations. We are especially interested in applicants who are able to work effectively with and care for individuals from all backgrounds, including but not limited to: racial and ethnic minorities, women, individuals who identify with LGBTQ+ communities, veterans, individuals with disabilities, and/or individuals from lower income backgrounds. We invite applicants to state in their cover letter how their professional and/or life experiences prepare them to advance Dartmouth Health’s commitments to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Minimum Qualifications:
- Completion of a doctoral degree (PhD or PsyD) in clinical or counseling psychology from an APA- or CPA-accredited program.
- Completion of a predoctoral internship from an APA- or CPA-accredited internship program.
- Completion of a postdoctoral fellowship training in forensic psychology.
Required Licensure/Certification Skills:
Licensed or license eligible as a psychologist in the state of NH.
Responsibilities
Qualifications
- Area of Interest: Professional/Management
- Pay Range: $2,080.00/Yr. - $2,079,979.20/Yr. (Based on 40 hours per week, otherwise pro rata)
- FTE/Hours per pay period: 1.00 - 1.00 - 40 hrs/week
- Shift: Day
- Job ID: 38737
Dartmouth Health offers a total compensation package that includes a comprehensive selection of benefits. Our Core Benefits include medical, dental, vision and life insurance, short and long term disability, paid time off, and retirement plans. Click here for information on these benefits and more: Benefits | DHMC and Clinics Careers
Dartmouth Health is an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship in Forensic Psychologist
Target employers with existing licensure support
Government agencies, federal prisons, and large forensic hospitals are more likely to have HR infrastructure for OPT work authorization and professional licensure processes. Smaller private practices rarely have the bandwidth to support either.
Clarify your licensure timeline upfront
Most forensic psychology roles require state licensure, which takes time to obtain post-graduation. Be transparent with employers about your current licensure status and how your OPT authorization period aligns with your path to full licensure.
Prioritize federal and government positions
Federal employers such as the Bureau of Prisons, Department of Veterans Affairs, and forensic state hospitals regularly hire pre-licensed psychologists under supervision. These roles are more OPT-compatible and often lead to H-1B visa sponsorship.
Start the H-1B conversation before you apply
Forensic psychology qualifies as a specialty occupation under H-1B. Ask about sponsorship willingness during informational interviews, not after an offer. Employers who have sponsored before are far more likely to do it again.
Use your postdoctoral supervision period strategically
If you need supervised hours for licensure, structure your OPT employment around a postdoctoral position that counts toward those requirements. This maximizes your authorization period while building the credentials employers need.
Document your supervised hours and OPT dates precisely
Forensic psychology employers in government and court settings require meticulous records. Keep your EAD card, supervision logs, and OPT end date readily accessible. Gaps in documentation can stall hiring in security-cleared environments.
Forensic Psychologist OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work as a Forensic Psychologist on OPT without a license?
Yes, but with limitations. Most forensic psychology positions require you to work under the supervision of a fully licensed psychologist until you obtain your own license. Your OPT employment authorization is valid for this supervised work, but you must ensure your job offer explicitly reflects a supervised pre-licensed role. Independently practicing without licensure is illegal regardless of your OPT status.
Does forensic psychology qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
No. Forensic psychology falls under CIP code 42 (Psychology), which is not on the STEM designated degree program list. You are limited to 12 months of post-completion OPT. This makes early H-1B sponsorship planning critical. Look for employers willing to file an H-1B petition before your OPT expires, particularly government agencies with established sponsorship processes.
What types of employers sponsor H-1B visas for forensic psychologists?
Federal agencies including the Bureau of Prisons, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and state forensic psychiatric hospitals are the most consistent sponsors for forensic psychologists. Large correctional healthcare contractors also sponsor, though less predictably. You can browse OPT-friendly forensic psychology roles directly on Migrate Mate, which filters for employers open to sponsoring international candidates.
How does security clearance affect OPT students applying for forensic psychology roles?
Many government forensic psychology positions require a background investigation or security clearance. OPT students are not automatically disqualified, but the process is longer and some agencies limit clearance eligibility to U.S. citizens or permanent residents. Clarify clearance requirements before applying. Roles within federal healthcare systems or courts may have more flexible eligibility than law enforcement or intelligence-adjacent positions.
Can my OPT employment authorization cover forensic assessment contract work or consulting?
OPT authorizes employment in your field of study, including part-time and contract work, as long as it meets the minimum 20-hours-per-week requirement during the standard OPT period. Forensic assessment contracts with courts or attorneys can qualify if the work is directly tied to your psychology degree. Self-employment is permitted under OPT but requires careful structuring and documentation to satisfy your DSO.