Program Overview
The MSc Forensic Psychology program equips students with advanced knowledge and skills in forensic psychology, preparing them for careers in the field. It covers key areas such as criminal, investigative, and legal psychology, as well as victimology and forensic assessments. The program includes advanced research methods, professional skills training, and aligns with industry needs, leading to potential employment in prison and probation services, police, and the NHS. Successful completion offers Stage 1 training towards becoming a chartered forensic psychologist.
Program Outline
Degree Overview:
This MSc Forensic Psychology program is designed to equip students with the expertise and qualities needed for senior-level employment in the field. It provides a comprehensive understanding of current issues, theories, and practices in forensic psychology. The program covers core areas such as criminal, investigative, and legal psychology, as well as victimology and forensic assessments. It also includes advanced research methods and professional skills training. The course serves as Stage 1 training towards becoming a chartered psychologist.
Objectives:
- Develop the ability to communicate forensic-related material effectively to both psychology and non-psychology professionals.
- Gain knowledge from an academic team who are members of the Research Centre for Applied Psychology.
- Achieve a high level of understanding of qualitative and quantitative research methods, enabling complex data analysis, interpretation, evaluation, and synthesis.
- Foster a sense of personal responsibility and professionalism to practice or conduct research ethically.
- Develop awareness of equal opportunities and disabilities legislation requirements.
Outline:
Modules:
- Advanced Research Methods For Psychologists: This unit covers the scientific research process, advanced qualitative and quantitative research methods, statistical analyses, and supervised experience with data analysis software. It also emphasizes ethical considerations in research.
- Criminal Psychology: This unit explores theories of criminal behavior, including criminological, biological, social, and psychological perspectives. It examines different offender cohorts and offense types, considering prevalence rates and contextual factors.
- Investigative Psychology: This unit focuses on the role of psychology in investigative contexts and law enforcement, covering topics like offender profiling and geographical mapping. It encourages critical evaluation of different paradigms in investigative psychology and promotes awareness of current research debates.
- Legal Psychology: This unit examines the application of psychology to legal contexts, including the criminal and civil judicial systems. It explores cognitive and social psychological research related to legal topics such as eyewitness testimony, jury decision making, and false confessions.
- Assessments In Forensic Psychology: This unit focuses on the assessment of offenders, covering methods like cognitive, personality, offense-specific, mental health, and offense risk assessments. It emphasizes the psychologist's role in the assessment process and the skills needed to conduct, interpret, and report assessments.
- Interventions In Forensic Psychology: This unit explores treatment and rehabilitation of offenders using group and individual interventions. It examines the differing treatment needs of various offender cohorts and applies knowledge to critical evaluations of the literature.
- Professional Skills For Forensic Psychologists: This unit provides a framework for developing professional skills, focusing on critical thinking, evidence-based practice, and communication skills relevant to forensic contexts.
- MSc Forensic Psychology Dissertation: This unit allows students to conduct independent research projects in forensic psychology, developing research skills and producing a substantial research report.
Assessment:
The MSc Forensic Psychology program uses a variety of assessment methods to evaluate students' academic knowledge, skills, and understanding of professional values. Examples of assessments include:
- Written essays
- Short answer questions exams
- Literature/systematic reviews
- Statistics workbooks
- Reflective portfolio
- Case studies
- Treatment formulation
- Presentations
- Review of an ethics submission
- Designing a training program
- Dissertation
Teaching:
The program's teaching methods are designed to provide a comprehensive and engaging learning experience. The program utilizes a combination of lectures, seminars, workshops, and practical exercises. Students also benefit from field trips and opportunities to observe real-life court cases.
Careers:
Graduates of this program are eligible to pursue further training in forensic psychology to become chartered members of the BPS and register with the HCPC. Career opportunities include:
- Prison and probation services
- Police
- Criminal justice system
- NHS Graduates also acquire research skills that can lead to further research studies in psychology with a PhD.
Other:
The program is accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS) Division of Forensic Psychology in partnership with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). Successful completion of the program confers Stage 1 training towards becoming a full member of the Division of Forensic Psychology (BPS) and a Registered Forensic Psychologist with the HCPC. The program requires students to have Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) with the BPS. The program is designed to align with the needs of employers, as evidenced by its review and development in conjunction with industry professionals from the NHS, mental health support, and commercial organizations. Students have the opportunity to participate in field trips to Headway UK, a charity where they can interact with staff and clients. The program emphasizes the importance of ethical practice and professional values, as outlined by the BPS.
