The type of degree or certificate required to become a handwriting specialist will often depend on the specific area you have chosen to work in within the field of handwriting. There are several fields that employ this position and you will want to research job descriptions before choosing an educational route. In order to broaden your career options, you may want to consider a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in graphology. Although this is not an extremely popular college major, there are universities and on-line schools that offer degrees in this field. Some of these degree programs are unconventional and coursework may not require prerequisites but you will need to meet with an adviser in order to choose courses that will help you become a handwriting specialist.
Entry requirements may include proof of high school diploma or equivalent certification and assessment exams prior to registration. These requirements may differ depending on the school that you have chosen, and you should research schools before applying. Once you are enrolled, you will need to begin taking general courses including psychology, introduction to graphology, and neurological and biological bases of behavior. Most of these courses will prepare you for the advanced classes needed to become a handwriting specialist such as psychological exploration techniques, social psychology, psychopathology, and a graphology seminar. Some of these programs may take at least four years to complete and you should begin participating in training programs during this time.
Your professors may be able to guide you towards internships in this field, which will help you become a handwriting specialist. You will need hands-on training to enter this field and aside from internship experiences, you may want to enroll in an evening or weekend program designed to provide students with real-life handwriting analysis experience. Many of these programs last at least four to six weeks and future employers will be interested in how you apply your knowledge to the work environment.
Due to this being a highly specific field, you will need to have additional skills including critical thinking abilities, excellent communication skills, and technical writing skills. Some companies will require that you have certification in the field and you will need to research local facilities that offer a written examination for certification. If you choose to go into forensics or other advanced fields, you may need additional education and training.
