Máster en Psicología Jurídica y Forense Híbrido

Program Overview

The Master's Degree in Legal and Forensic Psychology prepares students to work as professionals in legal and forensic settings, providing them with knowledge in psychology, law, and assessment techniques. This 12-month program, taught by expert faculty, features a thesis and professional practices component, and graduates may work in courts, prisons, hospitals, or private practices. Accredited by the Spanish College of Psychologists, it offers flexibility with online and on-campus options and is available in Spanish and English.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

The Master's Degree in Legal and Forensic Psychology is a program designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary to work as legal or forensic psychologists. The program covers a wide range of topics, including the legal system, psychological assessment, and intervention techniques. The program is offered in both online and on-campus formats. The online format allows students to study from anywhere in the world, while the on-campus format provides students with the opportunity to interact with faculty and other students in person. The program is designed to be flexible and can be completed in 12 months.

Outline:

The Master's Degree in Legal and Forensic Psychology is a 60-credit program that is divided into 10 modules. The modules are as follows:

• Module 1: Introduction to Legal and Forensic Psychology (6 ECTS)
• This module introduces students to the basic concepts of legal and forensic psychology.
• Topics covered include:
• Introduction to Legal Psychology
• Psychology of Crime and Criminal Behavior
• Common and Divergent Presuppositions and Concepts between Psychology and Law
• Evolution of Forensic Psychology
• State of Forensic Psychology at the National and International Level
• Ethical-Deontological Aspects
• Module 2: Psychological Processes Involved in the Judicial System (6 ECTS)
• This module examines the psychological processes involved in the judicial system.
• Topics covered include:
• Psychological Processes Involved in the Judicial System
• Neuropsychological Processes Involved in the Judicial System
• Psychology of Testimony
• Psychology of the Jury
• Psychological Aspects of Corruption
• Psychology and the Media
• Module 3: Principles of Law in Legal and Forensic Psychology (6 ECTS)
• Topics covered include:
• Introduction to Procedural Law
• Basic Concepts of Criminal and Civil Law
• Basic Concepts of Canon Law, Penitentiary Law, and Labor Law
• Basic Concepts of Family Law
• Legislation on Gender Violence
• Basic Concepts of Juvenile Law
• Module 4: Psychological Expertise in Judicial Processes (6 ECTS)
• This module focuses on the role of the forensic psychologist in the legal system.
• Topics covered include:
• The Forensic Psychologist Before the Judicial Body
• Expert Evidence and the Psychological Report
• The Forensic Psychologist in the Institutes of Legal Medicine and Forensic Sciences (Units of Comprehensive Forensic Assessment, UVFI) Juvenile Courts and Penitentiary Surveillance Courts
• Psychopathological Disorders and Their Implication in the Forensic Field
• Psychological Assessment of Legal Measures Regarding Minors
• Psychological and Judicial Aspects of Separation, Divorce, and Adoption
• Module 5: Models and Techniques in Forensic Evaluation (6 ECTS)
• This module compares different psychological-forensic evaluation techniques.
• Topics covered include:
• Psychological-Forensic Evaluation Techniques
• Differentiation with Other Types of Psychological Evaluations
• Development of Forensic Evaluation Instruments
• Psychological-Forensic Report
• Intervention Models
• Special Populations: Disability, Elderly, Gender Violence, etc.
• Module 6: Psychological Evaluation in Forensic Psychology (6 ECTS)
• This module focuses on the design of psychological evaluations in different areas.
• Topics covered include:
• Psychological Evaluation of Responsibility
• Psychological Evaluation of Capacity
• Evaluation of Psychological Damage
• Risk Assessment
• Simulation Assessment
• Evaluation of Parental Capacities and Co-Parenting
• Module 7: Victimology and Alternative Methods of Conflict Resolution (6 ECTS)
• This module teaches students how to manage conflict mediation techniques.
• Topics covered include:
• General Victimology and Criminal Victimology
• Psychological Work with the Victim
• Mediation Techniques
• Mediation Models and Programs
• Restorative Justice and Therapeutic Justice
• Parenting Coordination
• Module 8: Drafting and Issuing the Forensic Psychological Report, Its Defense and Practice (6 ECTS)
• This module focuses on the drafting, issuing, and defense of psychological reports in different legal contexts.
• Topics covered include:
• Drafting, Issuing, and Defending the Report in Criminal Jurisdiction
• Drafting, Issuing, and Defending the Report in Civil and Socio-Labor Jurisdiction
• Drafting, Issuing, and Defending the Report in Family Jurisdiction
• Drafting, Issuing, and Defending the Report in Gender Violence Jurisdiction and in Cases of Sexual Violence Against Minors
• Drafting, Issuing, and Defending the Report in Juvenile Offender Jurisdiction
• Drafting, Issuing, and Defending the Report in Penitentiary Surveillance Jurisdiction
• Module 9: Professional Practices (6 ECTS)
• This module provides students with the opportunity to apply and experience the knowledge and skills acquired during the master's degree in a real-world setting.
• Topics covered include:
• 100% In-Person External Professional Practices
• Module 10: Master's Thesis (6 ECTS)
• This module requires students to complete a master's thesis.
• The thesis can be one of two modalities:
• Presentation, intervention, and evaluation of a representative practical case in the field in which professional practices have been developed or in another relevant field for the student.
• Carrying out a genuine research project based on specific and relevant objectives, following a design that involves data collection and analysis and evaluation of the same.

Assessment:

The assessment methods used in the program include:

• Presentations: Presentations are used to assess students' ability to communicate their findings to others.
• Master's Thesis: The master's thesis is a major research project that is used to assess students' ability to conduct independent research.

Teaching:

The program is taught by a team of experienced faculty members who are experts in their fields. The teaching methods used in the program include:

• Lectures: Lectures are used to introduce students to the key concepts of the course.
• Discussions: Discussions are used to encourage students to think critically about the course material.
• Case Studies: Case studies are used to help students apply the course material to real-world situations.
• Simulations: Simulations are used to provide students with hands-on experience in the field.

Careers:

Graduates of the Master's Degree in Legal and Forensic Psychology are qualified to work in a variety of settings, including:

• Courts: Forensic psychologists can work as expert witnesses in court cases.
• Prisons: Forensic psychologists can work in prisons to assess inmates and provide treatment.
• Hospitals: Forensic psychologists can work in hospitals to provide treatment to victims of crime.
• Private Practice: Forensic psychologists can also work in private practice to provide counseling and therapy to individuals who have been involved in the legal system.

Other:

The program is accredited by the Spanish College of Psychologists. This means that graduates of the program are eligible to apply for licensure as a forensic psychologist in Spain. The program is also offered in both Spanish and English. This makes it accessible to a wider range of students. The program is designed to be flexible and can be completed in 12 months. This makes it a good option for students who are working full-time or have other commitments.