John Douglas MasterClass review

Ever wondered what goes on in the mind of a criminal? 

John Douglas’ MasterClass, “How to Think Like an FBI Profiler”, offers an opportunity to pick the brains of a pioneering figure in criminal profiling, John Douglas himself. He played a significant role in shaping the FBI's approach to criminal investigations.

If you're not sure whether his course is worth your time, this John Douglas MasterClass review is here to help.

I've completed the course and in this John Douglas MasterClass review, I’ll share all you need to know about the course before jumping right in.

I've also compared it with what else is on offer and offered suggestions as to who this course is best for and what alternatives there are.

But if you're short on time, here are the highlights:

In this John Douglas MasterClass review, I’ll be covering:

• About John Douglas
• About MasterClass
• An inside look into John Douglas’ MasterClass
• What I liked about John Douglas’ MasterClass
• What I think could be improved
• Who is this course for?
• How much does John Douglas’ MasterClass cost?
• Alternatives to John Douglas’ MasterClass
• John Douglas MasterClass: what others have said
• Is the course content unique?

Let's dive in!

About John Douglas

Few people possess as rare an insight into the criminal mind as John Douglas. As one of the first criminal profilers, he laid out new investigative techniques for the FBI to catch serial killers and other violent criminals.

Douglas spoke face-to-face and studied notorious criminals such as Ted Bundy, Charles Manson, and Ed Kemper. He then would piece together an understanding of their motives and predict their next moves.

As evidenced by this masterclass, his influence ripples beyond retirement. His career inspired Netflix's gripping crime drama, Mindhunter, which explores criminal psychology and the birth of criminal profiling in the FBI.

He has also inspired the characters of FBI profilers Jason Gideon and David Ross in the hit show, Criminal Minds, and the FBI Agent-in-Charge Jack Crawford in the classic The Silence of the Lambs.

If you haven’t seen the trailer for John Douglas’ MasterClass, I highly recommend you check it out: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_EBI3p5V_1A

About MasterClass

MasterClass is an online platform for learning from renowned instructors across various fields. They feature experts and celebrities as instructors, allowing you to learn from the likes of Gordon Ramsay (cooking), Spike Lee (filmmaking), and Samuel L. Jackson (acting).

The platform boasts a vast library of over 200 classes in the categories of Business, Food, Music, and more.

In this collaboration, MasterClass offers an opportunity to learn criminal profiling from John Douglas.

An inside look into John Douglas’ MasterClass

John Douglas’ MasterClass consists of:

• 14 video lessons which vary between 8 to 17 minutes in length. The total run time is only 2 hours and 54 minutes.
• A 42-page downloadable PDF class guide that contains survival tips from John and takeaways from notorious cases he’s handled 

To give you an idea of what you can expect, I’ve summarized the lessons within the MasterClass.

Lessons 2-3: Becoming a Mindhunter and Learning from a Killer

Are criminals born or made?

John draws lessons from his encounter with serial killer Ed Kemper and reveals the warning signs for potential criminal behavior, including:

• The Homicidal Triad: a set of 3 factors, 2 of which are predictive of violent tendencies

• Traits of violent criminals
• Characteristics to look out for in manipulators

He draws from Ed Kemper’s past and weighs in on the nature versus nurture debate on how criminals are formed.

Lessons 4-6: Avoiding Cults and Manipulators, Spotting a Liar and Understanding Motives

In these lessons, Douglas reveals that he doesn’t trust polygraph tests. Instead, he advocates for being keen to identify deceptive tactics and identifying pathological liars.

He features the Tate-Labianca murders as a case study for probing into motives and learning to deal with manipulators. He touches on:

• How cult leaders prey on impressionable minds
• Recognizing a cult leader (and similar traits in non-cult leaders)
• Protecting yourself from manipulators

He also advocates for empathy as a tool for understanding people’s motives in our own lives.

He reveals how he allowed Charles Manson to think that he was in control during an interview, and how research and preparation served as keys to his success when cracking a case.

Lessons 7-8: Predicting Criminal Behavior and Understanding the Perpetrator and the Victim

This is the part where it got more interesting for me, as John reveals more of his thought process when building a profile of an unknown criminal based on clues.

You’ll learn about:

• Victimology and the importance of demographic analysis
• Putting yourself in the attacker’s shoes
• Deductive vs. inductive reasoning
• Why each aspect of the profile has to be justified

He features the first time that an FBI profile was instrumental in the arrest of a killer and summarizes the principle of profiling: behavior reflects personality.

Lessons 9-10: Identifying Vulnerabilities and Developing Intuition

In these lessons, John reveals how he employed a tactic called Staging to coax a confession out of a criminal.

You’ll learn:

• The difference between intuition and inherent bias
• How to identify people’s vulnerabilities
• Predicting behavior based on vulnerability
• When to listen to intuition
• The importance of developing intuition

He encourages us to take an inventory of ourselves, including our strengths and weaknesses and how people might use our vulnerabilities against us.

Lessons 11-12: Determining M.O. vs Signature and Making Calculated Decisions

Drawing from the case of the Atlanta Child Murders, John shares how he took calculated risks to analyze convicted murderer Wayne Williams.

You’ll learn:

• The difference between MO and signature
• Understanding organized and disorganized criminals
• The importance of decisiveness in high-risk situations

“Fear of making decisions can stand in the way of doing groundbreaking work.”

– John Douglas

Lessons 13-14: Lifesaving Lessons and Doing Your Own Profile

In a moment of openness, John shares how the volume and the intensity of his work took a toll on his health and how he bounced back from it and became a better leader in the FBI.

To wrap things up, John helps us see how the principles he taught can be applied to ourselves. He shares:

• The importance of situational awareness
• Tools to avoid becoming a victim
• Creating a code system with your child
• Skills that will help you predict behavior
• Tendencies that raise your risk level of becoming a potential victim

Highlighting the dangers of the internet as a new hunting ground for predators, he also provides tips on protecting ourselves online.

What I liked about John Douglas’ MasterClass

Identify red flags with higher self-awareness

This course helps you recognize some of the thought patterns and motivations behind criminal behavior. But it also advocates for you to understand your own vulnerabilities so you can use that knowledge and protect yourself in daily life.

For example, John touches on traits that can increase your risk level in dangerous situations. A heightened awareness of your personal profile can help you be more vigilant.

John Douglas’ insights can give you some of the tools to identify red flags in people’s behavior as well to help you avoid dangerous situations.

Engaging delivery from a legend

Having John Douglas himself guide the course was invaluable. His firsthand experiences and storytelling ability made the content incredibly engaging and impactful.

There's simply no substitute for learning from someone with John Douglas' experience and track record.

Real-world cases and applications

John Douglas’ MasterClass interwove real-world cases with lessons to be drawn from them. This class is packed with actionable tips to keep yourself and family safe from danger.

The lessons went beyond simple “true crime” fascination. They provided valuable tools for understanding human behavior in general.

What I think could be improved

Class guide could’ve followed the structure of the course

The class guide was filled with really interesting bits and pieces, from a glossary of basic terminology to the evolution of criminal profiling in law enforcement. 

It’s a really great companion to his MasterClass. However, it’s not structured similarly to the video courses. This occasionally led me to flip between sections to maintain the flow I experienced in the video lectures.

While a more aligned structure might have been helpful, the wealth of information in the guide ultimately makes it a valuable companion piece.

Bits on identifying each aspect of the criminal profile could’ve been longer

It was fascinating to learn from John’s process when identifying key aspects of a criminal profile.

How does John come up with informed assumptions about a criminal’s age, race, and even potential causes for the low self-esteem of a criminal yet to be caught?

While his MasterClass provides a solid introduction,  a more detailed examination of these elements could have offered a richer learning experience for those seeking a deeper understanding of criminal profiling methodologies.

Who is this course for?

This MasterClass is not merely for true crime buffs but anyone who wants to sharpen their intuition.

Even if you don't aspire to be a criminal profiler, the class offers applicable insights into human behavior that’s not just for psychologists or professionals, but people from all walks of life.

It’s also beginner-friendly and doesn't require technical knowledge since it doesn't focus on the academic approach to criminal profiling.

John Douglas’ MasterClass is best for:

• People interested in understanding behavior by picking up subtle cues in everyday life
• Anyone interested in criminal psychology
• People in high-risk professions who work alone or interact with the public regularly so you can identify potential threats
• Anyone who wants to feel safer by learning how to avoid dangerous situations
• Big fans of John Douglas

How much does John Douglas’ MasterClass cost?

MasterClass is a subscription-based platform. Individual courses can't be purchased individually.

MasterClass offers three membership tiers, all billed annually:

• Individual: $120 per year($10 per month) – This is the most basic plan which allows access to all courses on the platform on one device at a time.
• Duo: $180 per year ($15 per month) – This plan lets you share your membership with one other person, enabling access on two devices simultaneously.
• Family: $240 per year ($20 per month) – This subscription tier extends access to up to six devices, perfect for sharing with your household.

MasterClass also offers a 30-day money-back guarantee should you find yourself unsatisfied with your course.

If you sign up for a subscription and decide within 30 days that you're not satisfied, you can contact MasterClass support to get a full refund. 

Alternatives to John Douglas’ MasterClass

John Douglas has written numerous books that go more in-depth than his MasterClass. His book, The Anatomy of a Motive, explores the motivations of violent criminals, and it provides insights into how investigators can use this information to solve crimes.

However, given the detailed nature of his books, they may not be suitable for all readers due to their disturbing content.

Udemy offers plenty of alternative courses on criminal profiling. Crime writer Hanlé Barnard has a Criminal Profiling course that teaches history, techniques, and theories about profiling.

Udemy courses on criminal profiling are typically cheaper. But from what I've noticed, they aren't taught by instructors with firsthand experience in the field. They're more likely suitable for a broad audience who are simply curious about the criminal mind.

But if you're looking for a more academic approach to criminal profiling, Alison offers a course on The Theory and Logic Behind Criminal Profiling.

John Douglas MasterClass: what others have said

My aim was to write the best John Douglas MasterClass review, so I also scoured the web to see what other people thought. Here's a breakdown of the key takeaways:

• Good introduction to criminal profiling: A Reddit user has commented that was a good introduction class to criminal profiling, but that it could benefit from a deeper dive into self-defense tactics for women.
• Life Skills: YouTube reviewer V.City also suggested that the MasterClass could be applicable to understanding people in general, including those in your relationships. 
• Insights into the criminal mind: Dam Ramirez, writer for e-student.org, wrote that, “While the course is somewhat lacking in-depth case studies, and should be avoided by anyone trying to avoid disturbing content, it holds great value for true crime enthusiasts and those looking to understand criminal behavior.”

Overall, John Douglas’ MasterClass is most praised for its applicability beyond just criminal profiling. It appeals to a wide audience and, offering a valuable introduction to criminal profiling for beginners, while also providing transferable skills for understanding human behavior in general.

How long it took to complete the course 

John Douglas’ MasterClass consists of 14 video lessons, each lasting about 8 to 17 minutes long. The total class length is 2 hours and 54 minutes.

Is the course content unique?

While John Douglas’ MasterClass offers valuable insights, it's not entirely unique.

Criminal profiling is now a well-established field with an ever-growing body of knowledge. There is a lot of overlap in content with other existing resources such as textbooks, documentaries, or even online courses on criminal psychology.

What's unique about this MasterClass is the chance to learn from the person who helped establish that body of knowledge himself. 

John Douglas is a renowned figure in the field of criminal profiling as one of the first profilers who shaped the FBI's Behavior Analysis Unit (BAU). BAU was formerly FBI's Criminal Profiling Program, which Douglas developed to analyze crime scenes, collect clues about heinous criminals, and eventually, catch and prosecute them.

John taught at the FBI Academy. By taking this MasterClass, you take advantage of the opportunity to learn from a renowned figure in the field that only so few can rival.

Is John Douglas’ MasterClass worth it?

Yes, John Douglas’ MasterClass is worth it. But it all depends on you and what you’re hoping to get out of it.

IF you’re interested in a basic exploration of criminal behavior and wondering how you can identify basic red flags in people, this MasterClass can help you understand criminal behavior can be applied to everyday life.

For true crime enthusiasts, the MasterClass provides a unique opportunity to learn from a legendary figure in the field and gain insights directly from his experiences.

IF you’re highly sensitive to disturbing content, less visual and detailed courses may be better alternatives.

IF you’re looking for a more academic or in-depth approach to criminal profiling, then alternatives such as Hanlé barnard’s Udemy course on criminal profiling or Alison’s Theory and Logic Behind Criminal Profiling may be more suitable for your needs.

Ultimately, it all depends on your individual learning goals and interests. But for me, this MasterClass had a balance of being beginner-friendly, applicable in a wide variety of contexts, and focused on drawing valuable insights from criminal cases without dwelling on overly disturbing details. This approach proved to be both informative and engaging.

Frequently asked questions

How much does John Douglas’ MasterClass cost?

A MasterClass all-access pass costs $120 a year ($10 a month). This gives you access to John Douglas’ class, alongside 200+ other courses.

How long is John Douglas’ MasterClass?

John Douglas’ MasterClass has 14 video lessons totaling 2 hours and 54 minutes.

Can you get John Douglas’ MasterClass for free?

Unfortunately, there isn't a way to access John Douglas' entire MasterClass for free currently. MasterClass offers paid memberships that grant access to all their courses, including John Douglas', and offers refunds if you’re not happy.

Can I get a refund if I don’t like the John Douglas MasterClass?

MasterClass offers a 30-day money-back guarantee on their membership. If you sign up for a subscription and decide within 30 days that you're not satisfied, you can contact MasterClass support to get a full refund.