PMFORPSY - MSc Forensic Psychology
Course Specification
Validation status | Validated | |||||||||||
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Highest award | Master of Science | Level | Masters | |||||||||
Possible interim awards | Postgraduate Diploma, Postgraduate Certificate, Advanced Diploma in Professional Development | |||||||||||
Total credits for course | 180 | |||||||||||
Awarding institution | London Metropolitan University | |||||||||||
Teaching institutions | London Metropolitan University | |||||||||||
School | School of Social Sciences | |||||||||||
Subject Area | Psychology | |||||||||||
Attendance options |
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Course leader |
About the course and its strategy towards teaching and learning and towards blended learning/e-learning
The MSc in Forensic Psychology offers a broad curriculum in legal and criminological psychology. It is accredited by the BPS as offering stage 1 of the Diploma in Forensic Psychology and hence is ideally suited to those who wish to work towards Registered Forensic Psychologist Status. In addition to covering the BPS curriculum, the broad range of designate modules offers a large degree of flexibility, allowing students to undertake a programme tailored to their specialist interests. Scheduled teaching consists of lectures, workshops (including those in the dedicated computer laboratories) and seminars (which may take place in small study rooms). The scheduled teaching programme for full time students consists of the equivalent of two full days across the week during the autumn and spring semesters. In addition to formal teaching time, students are expected to devote considerable time outside of this to independent study (under appropriate supervision). This focus on independent (but supported) learning is particularly evident within the dissertation module.
Course aims
The course has the following aims:
- To provide students with an up-to-date and advanced training in psychological theory, research and methods applicable to forensic contexts;
- To enable students to acquire advanced training and expertise in the design, analysis, evaluation and presentation of research in psychology;
- To provide an opportunity for students to choose among a range of areas for advanced study in the application of forensic psychology to a variety of practice settings
- To enable students to develop skills applicable to the practice of forensic psychology within a variety of contexts
- To ensure that the wide range of skills students develop on the programme may be generalised to a broader context
Course learning outcomes
Knowledge and understanding
On completing the course, students are expected to:
- have acquired a thorough and critical understanding of theories, findings and methods relevant to the field of forensic psychology;
- have acquired an advanced knowledge of research issues in applied psychology and of different approaches to obtaining and assessing data in relation to criminal psychology theory;
- have developed an advanced understand key issues in forensic psychological practice;
- understand the ethical issues and responsibilities associated with the research and practice of forensic psychology.
Cognitive/ Intellectual skills
On completing the course, students will be able to:
- assess the quality of published work with respect to the validity of the conclusions reached on the basis of the research design employed and the data reported;
- generate a programme of research in forensic psychology, which includes: clear hypotheses or research questions, well operationalised concepts; ethical data collection and appropriate analysis;
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use analytical and problem-solving skills to find optimal solutions to policy and practice issues in forensic psychology.
Practical Skills
On completing the course, students will be able to:
- use IT to access sources of information, to analyse data and to produce course relevant documentation;
- to understand the requirements at Masters level in order to conduct an extensive piece of literature analysis in criminal psychology;
- perform analyses of data to a standard commensurate with a Masters level education, interpret the output from analyses appropriately, extract key information from the output and present it in the required style for publication in the psychological literature;
- produce scientific writing to an advanced level, including: selecting, organising, analysing, evaluating and synthesising complex material in forensic psychology;
- effectively present complex ideas and analysis;
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reflect upon their learning and upon their development as potential forensic psychology practitioners.
Key/transferable skills including employability and professional practice
On completing the course, students will be able to:
- express themselves clearly and accurately in a manner appropriate to the context;
- develop and defend a critical argument or perspective (both orally and in writing)
- think critically and evaluate the validity of conclusions based on argument;
- address a range of ethical and professional considerations relevant to the practice of forensic psychology;
- use IT appropriately to search for, analyse and present information;
- be effective independent and team workers;
- conduct themselves in accordance with relevant professional guidelines in the conduct of research and professional practice in criminal psychology.
Course learning outcomes / Module cross reference
- have acquired a thorough and critical understanding of theories, findings and
methods relevant to the field of forensic psychology;
- have acquired an advanced knowledge of research issues in applied psychology and of different approaches to obtaining and assessing data in relation to Forensic
psychology theory:
- develop a critical understanding of key issues:
Research
All module Learning outcomes related to PY7164
(Advanced Research Methods in Psychology)
All module learning outcomes related to PY7P06
(Forensic Psychology Empirical Project).
Criminological Psychology
All learning outcome relating to PY7001
(Psychology and Criminal Behaviour)
Legal Psychology
Learning outcomes 1 and 2 of PY7005
(Investigation and Prosecution of Crime)
Clinical Practice
Learning outcome 1 of PY7002 (Introduction to
Assessment and Intervention)
Research
All module learning outcomes related to PY7164
(Advanced Research Methods in Psychology)
All module learning outcomes related to PY7P06
Assessment strategy
The course is assessed through a variety of tasks that allow for the demonstration of academic learning via mechanisms that support employability skills. Thus students are assessed through open book exams, professional reports, reflective accounts, a project proposal, literature review. Some of the designate modules include assessment via group and individual presentations.
Following the submission of each item of coursework, formative as well as summative assessment is provided. This enables students to reflect upon their progress and identify self development targets. Workshops, seminars and supervision sessions (see section 9 above) enable students to explore general ideas, concepts and conclusions, and obtain feedback on these, prior to the submission of assessed work and to explore the differing requirements of material designed to be utilised within different settings.
Organised work experience, work based learning, sandwich year or year abroad
This course does not have any organised work experience. However the Prison Advice and Care Trust (PACT) produce a helpful leaflet about volunteering within the Criminal Justice System.
Course specific regulations
As part of the Project module (PY7P06) students are required to submit a project proposal in the Spring Semester. All proposals assessed as being of a “pass” standard (by the supervisor) - that is, as being sufficiently specified and ethically viable - will be submitted to the Ethics Panel for approval. Any student who fails this assessment component will be allowed a re-assessment opportunity. However, students should be aware that they will be required to obtain a pass on this assignment before they can continue with their project. Any student who does not pass the proposal at the first attempt will have their overall project mark capped at 50%.
Normally, a part-time student would be expected to pass
PY7001, PY7002, PY7005, PY7036 and a designate module before progressing to Year 2. However, a student may also progress to Year 2 if they are required to retake one module from Year 1. Where a student is required to retake two or more modules from Year 1, they shall not be able to progress to Year 2 until these modules have been passed. Depending upon the number of modules a student has failed they may be required to leave the course in line with University Regulations.
Professional Statutory and Regulatory Body (PSRB) accreditations & exemptions
The course is recognised by the BPS as providing Stage 1 of the Diploma in Forensic Psychology.
Career opportunities
Our graduates go on to work in a variety of settings and with a range of clients (eg offenders, victims, police, and probation). A such, our graduates have gone on to work as police officers, offender treatment providers, within victim services and in probation departments.
We have graduates that work in the Home Office, HM Prison Service, the NHS, Youth Offending Teams and relevant government departments. Other students have focused on working with forensic psychiatric residents in secure settings (eg Medium or Regional Secure Units).
We have also had a number of our students obtain work with charities (such as NACRO) and go on to do further research.
Entry requirements
You will be required to have:
- an upper second honours degree in psychology. (However we may also consider a lower second if you have relevant work experience.)
- Graduate Basis for Chartership with the British Psychological Society
- an understanding of the role of a Forensic Psychologist
- skills and ability to benefit from the course.
These requirements will be assessed via the application form (which should include a copy of your transcript), interview and references.
If you do not have a psychology degree which confers GBC you are advised to consider applying for the MSc in Criminal Psychology.
All applicants must be able to demonstrate proficiency in the English language. Applicants who require a Tier 4 student visa may need to provide a Secure English Language Test (SELT) such as Academic IELTS. For more information about English qualifications please see our English language requirements.
Official use and codes
Approved to run from | 2013/14 | Specification version | 1 | Specification status | Validated |
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Original validation date | 01 Sep 2013 | Last validation date | 01 Sep 2013 | ||
Sources of funding | HE FUNDING COUNCIL FOR ENGLAND | ||||
JACS codes | C816 (Forensic Psychology): 100% | ||||
Route code | FORPSY |
Stage 1 Level 07 September start Offered
Code | Module title | Info | Type | Credits | Location | Period | Day | Time |
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PY7001 | Psychology and Criminal Behaviour | Core | 20 | |||||
PY7002 | Introduction to Assessment and Intervention | Core | 20 | |||||
PY7004 | Professional Context and Practice of Forensic P... | Core | 20 | |||||
PY7005 | The Investigation and Prosecution of Criminal O... | Core | 20 | |||||
PY7036 | Applied Assessment and Intervention | Core | 10 | |||||
PY7164 | Advanced Research Design and Analysis for Psych... | Core | 20 | NORTH | AUT | WED | AM | |
PY7P06 | Forensic Psychology Research Project | Core | 60 | |||||
PY7008 | Psychology and the Courts | Option | 10 | |||||
PY7009 | Psychology and the Penal System | Option | 10 | |||||
PY7111 | International Perspectives on Forensic Psychology | Option | 10 | |||||
PY7136 | Psychology and Sexual Violence: causes conseque... | Option | 10 | |||||
PY7137 | Psychology and the sexual exploitation of young... | Option | 10 | |||||
PY7179 | Applied Legal Psychology | Option | 10 |
Stage 1 Level 07 January start Not currently offered
Code | Module title | Info | Type | Credits | Location | Period | Day | Time |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
PY7001 | Psychology and Criminal Behaviour | Core | 20 | |||||
PY7002 | Introduction to Assessment and Intervention | Core | 20 | |||||
PY7004 | Professional Context and Practice of Forensic P... | Core | 20 | |||||
PY7005 | The Investigation and Prosecution of Criminal O... | Core | 20 | |||||
PY7036 | Applied Assessment and Intervention | Core | 10 | |||||
PY7164 | Advanced Research Design and Analysis for Psych... | Core | 20 | |||||
PY7P06 | Forensic Psychology Research Project | Core | 60 | |||||
PY7008 | Psychology and the Courts | Option | 10 | |||||
PY7009 | Psychology and the Penal System | Option | 10 | |||||
PY7111 | International Perspectives on Forensic Psychology | Option | 10 | |||||
PY7136 | Psychology and Sexual Violence: causes conseque... | Option | 10 | |||||
PY7137 | Psychology and the sexual exploitation of young... | Option | 10 | |||||
PY7179 | Applied Legal Psychology | Option | 10 |