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 Dept/School | Faculty of Education, Law and Social Sciences, Birmingham City University  | |||
| Duration | Full-time 1 year / Part-time 2 years | |||
| Entry Requirements | Students wishing to study this course should usually hold a 2:2 or above in Psychology, or a related subject. Experience of working with offenders and/or victims of crime in either a paid or voluntary capacity is desirable for students applying to study the course. Part-time students will normally be expected to be working in a forensic or forensic-related setting or have experience of this. | |||
| Course Contact | Admissions Officer | Study Options | Full-Time/Part-Time | |
| Start Month(s) | September | Taught/Research | Taught & Research | |
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MSc Forensic Psychology |
| COURSE OVERVIEW The MSc Forensic Psychology offers an exciting opportunity for students to combine knowledge of psychological theory with the development of practical skills and an understanding of professional practice in forensic psychology. The core aim of the course is to prepare students to work with clients and professionals in a range of forensic and forensic-related settings. The course is taught by an experienced teaching team who specialise in teaching and research in forensic psychology. Students will also have opportunities to hear from guest lecturer practitioners from various areas of the Criminal Justice System, including HM Prison Service and the Youth Offending Service. The course is aimed at students who wish to develop their career in forensic or forensic-related settings, working with offenders and victims of crime. KEY FACTS This course: - Prepares students to work with clients and professionals in a range of forensic and forensic-related settings. The course integrates psychological theory with the development of practical skills and an understanding of professional practice. - Can be combined and integrated with employment, and provides students with first-hand experiences of the Criminal Justice System through prison and court visits. - Allows students to gain specialist knowledge of dealing with particular groups in the Criminal Justice System, including sex offenders and those with mental health issues and personality disorders. Accreditation for the MSc Forensic Psychology from the British Psychological Society (BPS) is being sought in the academic year 2010/11. ENTRY REQUIREMENTS Students wishing to study this course should usually hold a 2:2 or above in Psychology, or a related subject. Experience of working with offenders and/or victims of crime in either a paid or voluntary capacity is desirable for students applying to study the course. Part-time students will normally be expected to be working in a forensic or forensic-related setting or have experience of this. COURSE STRUCTURE The aims of the MSc Forensic Psychology are to: - equip students with a detailed critical understanding of the key theoretical and applied issues in forensic psychology, including the development of offending behaviour, re-offending, the effects of offending on victims, and the assessment and treatment of offenders; - provide training in forensic methods primarily from a psychological standpoint, but also to familiarise students with the perspectives of a range of professions involved in the assessment and treatment of offenders; - enable students to acquire an advanced ability to design research, conduct statistical analysis, evaluate and scientifically report research in forensic psychology; - enhance students’ skills in communication, group work, professionalism and ICT so that they can perform at a high level of competence in these respects; - satisfy the academic requirements for Masters level knowledge set out by the Division for Forensic Psychology, British Psychological Society (seeking accreditation in 2010/11). Study Commitment: Full-time: Two days per week on campus, plus self-directed learning. Part-time: One day per week on campus, plus self-directed learning. LEARNING: The range and depth of skills required from successful postgraduates in forensic psychology requires that a range of learning, teaching, and assessment strategies are employed on this programme. Learning takes place in the University, through the University’s virtual learning environment, and in criminal justice settings. Learning and teaching on the course takes the varied forms of: Lectures; seminars; workshops; tutorials; independent study; electronic learning; reflective practice; court visits; prison visits; case studies; discussion groups. ASSESSMENT Assessment is by coursework only and participants need to demonstrate an ability to carry out in-depth critical analysis, effective research skills, critically evaluate research methodologies, have an enhanced knowledge and understanding of education and training in an international context and be able to critically evaluate their findings in relation to the academic literature. PLACEMENTS Students will have the opportunity to visit a high-security prison, local courts, and also gain practical experience in one of the Faculty’s mock court-rooms. Students not already working in areas related to forensic psychology are encouraged to undertake volunteer work throughout the course. Teaching staff on the course have strong links with various areas of the Criminal Justice System and may be able to help facilitate student volunteer placements. EMPLOYABILITY The employment prospects for graduates from the MSc Forensic Psychology are varied, but primarily the course will place students in demand within HM Prison Service, the NHS, the wider criminal justice system, and the private sector. The course provides skills relevant to working with offenders and victims across all sectors involved with this work. Furthermore, the comprehensive research methods training will provide graduates with the skills to embark on postgraduate research opportunities. Forensic psychology is unquestionably a growth area. Job opportunities are currently good, particularly in the prison service, and this is likely to remain the situation for the near future at least (Durham.ac.uk, 2009). Indeed, forensic psychology ‘is one of the fastest growing areas of employment for psychology graduates’ (Grad. Prospects, 2005). |
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