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Forensic Psychology – (M.Sc.)
University of Portsmouth
Faculty of Science
| Location: | Portsmouth / United Kingdom / View location on map ▾ Hide location on map ▴ | ||
| Duration: | 12 months | Start Date: | September |
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| Languages: | English | ||
Location of University of Portsmouth
Forensic psychology is an expanding field. Opportunities to work in this area have increased in line with the development of the scientific base for this subject. As a branch of applied psychology, it draws on many facets of its parent discipline such as clinical, occupational, social and cognitive psychology. It also interfaces with other disciplines such as criminology and law in order to address issues of often major concern to the justice system, organisations, individuals and society.
The proven versatility of forensic psychologists is one of the reasons for the growth in their employment - employers within or linked to the criminal justice system appreciate the fact that forensic psychologists can be useful in many different ways. Practitioners work in prisons, probation, policing, social work, health services, the courts, academia and private practice.
Our course aims to provide you with a systematic knowledge and understanding of forensic psychology, in accordance with the academic requirements of the Division of Forensic Psychology (DFP), the British Psychological Society (BPS) for accredited courses and eventual progression to autonomous practice.
Contents
Currently, full-time students attend on two days per week and are expected to study around 40 hours a week. Those studying part time can opt to attend on one day per week (this day remaining the same for the two years) and are expected to devote to the course around 20 hours per week.
The course is structured to reflect developments and priorities in the field of forensic psychology and is kept under constant review to keep it up-to-date. Current units are as follows:
Theory into Practice: Foundations of Professional Competence in Forensic Psychology: This unit provides a foundation for working as a scientist-practitioner. From an early introduction to concepts of reflective practice, personal development and core skills relevant to completing the course, it moves to encouraging an awareness of factors involved in criminal behaviour and their implications. The focus is on the application and development of skills in analysis and less on the less on learning facts and theories. This will provide you with also enhance learning elsewhere on the course.
In the second part of the unit, the focus moves to tasks and challenges that forensic psychologists encounter in applied settings. Some, such as the design and evaluation of training for other personnel or consultancy skills, are of major relevance to Stage 2 of the system for progression to chartered status that usually follows the course. Others such as countering manipulation, stress and managing aggression can be crucial to survival as well as effectiveness as a practitioner.
Assessment and Interventions with Offenders: This unit is concerned with providing an understanding of the theoretical and empirical underpinnings, contents and methods of current and widely-used approaches to assessment (including risk assessment) and interventions with offenders. These approaches are linked and provide a framework for the organisation and evaluation of information, particularly in relation to efficient, useful and accurate formulation and what works in the delivery of interventions. It will build upon knowledge of factors related to criminal behaviour with a focus on effective approaches and context-related factors in the understanding and management of offenders in a variety of settings.
Empirical Research Project for Forensic Psychology: This unit allows you to undertake a complete piece of empirical research in an area of forensic psychology that you find particularly interesting. It provides an opportunity to develop and integrate a range of skills and areas of knowledge including creative formulations, problem-solving, ethics, handling interpersonal demands, use of IT and analytical techniques, and writing to a publishable standard.
Investigative Psychology and the Leagl Process: this unit focuses on the contribution made by psychology in the context of forensic investigations and the role of psychologists in criminal and civil law proceedings. It is concerned with the application of psychological research and theory in an effort to critique (and improve) practice in criminal and civil justice systems, criminal and civil justice systems as an applied context for testing the validity and efficacy of psychological theories and innovative practice derived from these theories. Topics cover relevant procedural information to ensure you appreciate investigative, judicial and custodial processes, and the role of psychologists within these frameworks. Theory and research relevant to applied cognitive and social psychology are presented to inform an understanding of eyewitness recall and recognition memory (and memory errors), effective protocols for testing/probing witness memory, detecting deception and juror decision making. Theory and research relevant to offender profiling is also addressed.
Research Methods and Data Analysis: this unit is designed to provide a familiarity with psychological research methods and data analysis commensurate with understanding and conducting research at the postgraduate and professional level. Specific methodologies and issues of relevance to specific research areas are addressed within a perspective that emphasises creative problem-solving.
IELTS
You are normally required to take an English Proficiency Test.
Most European Universities recognise the IELTS test.
Take testRequirements
A good honours degree in Psychology that is recognised by The British Psychological Society as conferring Graduate Basis for Chartered membership (GBC).
English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.5 or equivalent.
Language Proficiency
| Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE): | Grade C (Score: 60) |
Accreditation
British Psychological Society (BPS).
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