PMCRMMTL - MSc Criminology and Psychopathology

The course is designed to provide advanced training in Criminology and Psychopathology within a mental health context. Students will acquire a critical understanding of the theoretical and empirical underpinnings of research in the area.

This course will appeal to criminology and psychology graduates wishing to undergo further training in aspects of mental health related to crime and psychiatry. The students will develop their skills to support career progression. The course is especially aimed at of those currently working in social/health care, policing and probation. Students will receive high quality education and research training aimed clearly at the needs of the wider society and the career aspirations of a large percentage of graduate students.

The teaching and learning approach is explicitly geared towards enhancing students’ employability skills. Students will benefit from experiential learning and reflective practices, including clinical based teaching methods, have been incorporated into the curriculum. Further, diversified assessment methods including training in positive psychology and motivational interviewing will support developing student skills.
Scheduled teaching consists of lectures, workshops (including those in the dedicated computer laboratories) and seminars (which may take place in small study rooms).

Full time students will be taught in university 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.

This course will critically examine the theoretical and clinical explanations of criminology and psychopathology from a biological, behavioural, social/sociological and cognitive perspective. Using formal classification systems, it will provide a multidisciplinary approach to understanding crime and psychopathology. Various theoretical frameworks in both the understanding and management of psychological difficulties and also crime will be explored across the lifespan. Core modules aim to provide an opportunity to critically examine local and national policies and service planning for access to general services and treatment; understanding relevant social, biological, cultural and economic contexts and reflect on the advantages of a multidisciplinary service to meet the range of needs across the lifespan. Those attending the MSc Criminology and Psychopathology will develop a critical understanding of knowledge, reflective practice, analytical techniques and problem-solving skills. It also develops competencies in conducting research and analysis in relation to Criminology and Psychopathology along with pertinent ethical issues which may arise in practice.

The course aims to provide students with up-to-date and advanced training in Criminology and Psychopathology and to develop a broader understanding of recent developments in criminology and mental health. Furthermore, the course aims to provide opportunities for students to develop competence in conducting research and scholarly analysis focused on Criminology and Psychopathology across the lifespan

1. To encourage students to explore ways in which knowledge can contribute to the policy development in this discipline.
2. To encourage depth and systematic critical understanding appropriate to the needs of society via a biopsychosocial, criminological and cultural perspective.

To make a contribution to mental health training needs to all those who have a role to play in supporting those with mental health across health, social care, education and youth justice etc. Thus, enhancing the capabilities and competencies of mental health practitioners, supporting career change and/or progression.

On successful completion of this course students will be able to:

1. Apply methods and techniques appropriate to their own research or advanced scholarship in Criminology and Mental Health

2. Apply knowledge with originality, based on a practical understanding of how established techniques of research and enquiry are used to create and interpret knowledge in the Criminology and Mental Health

3. Evaluate critically current research and advanced scholarship in Criminology and Mental Health

4. Evaluate methodologies and develop critiques of them and, where appropriate, to propose new hypotheses

5. Deal with complex issues both systematically and creatively, make sound judgements
in the absence of complete data, and communicate their conclusions clearly to specialist and non-specialist audiences

6. Demonstrate confidence, resilience, ambition and creativity and will act as inclusive, collaborative and socially responsible practitioners/professionals in their discipline.

Teaching and learning practices have been aligned with QAA recommendations in order to ensure the quality standards and relevant benchmarking tools. Those attending the MSc Criminology and Psychopathology will develop a critical understanding of knowledge, clinical skills, reflective practice, analytical techniques and problem-solving skills.

http://www.qaa.ac.uk/assuring-standards-and-quality/the-quality-code/subject-benchmark-statements

Level 7 awards and relevant guidance:
http://www.qaa.ac.uk/en/Publications/Documents/Masters-Degree-Characteristics-2010.pdf

The course is assessed through a variety of tasks that allow for the demonstration of academic learning through mechanisms that support employability skills. Thus, students are assessed through essay, case studies (including reflective, consultancy and individual), oral presentation, critical and systematic reviews, qualitative and quantitative research reports. The variety of assessments is designed to cater for different types of learner.

Across the modules that constitute this course lecturers dedicate teaching sessions to guide students through assessment procedures and also to help students to reflect on grades and feedback. Marking criteria are also shared on weblearn. During assessment preparation sessions methods of marking and moderation are communicated to students.

Assessment are scheduled, as far as is possible, to avoid bunching of assessment deadlines. However, as a course featuring modules from a number of other courses this is not always possible.

All feedback is returned within the 3 week deadline and is designed to both explain the grades students have received and instruct them on how to improve their assessments in the future.

Formative assessments are set early in the semester to allow for students to grow their academic skills prior to completing the summative assessments.

PART-TIME:

Part time Year 1
PY7191 Psychopathology
SS7175 Critical and Justice Issues in Criminology
SS7085 Psychology and Crime
PY7010 Law, Policy and Ethics

Part Time Year 2

PY7163 Research Design and analysis for psychology
SS7143 Terrorism and Counter-Terrorism
SS7179 Crime, Risk and Prevention
SS7P81 Criminology Dissertation

PG Certificate Criminology and Psychopathology
• Any combination of taught modules, excluding dissertation to the value of 60 credits
PG Diploma in Criminology and Psychopathology
• All taught modules, including the exclusion of the research dissertation; value of 120 credits

Students will receive information during the appropriate lectures regarding how the knowledge and competencies from the course can be applied to a wide range of settings. The modules contain exercises which assist with personal development (such as workshops and discussions related to the application of ethics to practice settings). Many of the modules allow students to produce a reflective account outlining the individual’s experiences and learning in relation to course material.

Formative feedback is provided in relation to both examinations and coursework which focuses on assisting students to improve their personal and academic skills.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC)
http://www.cqc.org.uk/

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE)
https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance

Successful completion of this course offers improved career opportunities in crime services (e.g. Police and Probation), social services, academia, health, mental health services in general. The programme is also excellent preparation for further research or study, e.g. clinical psychology. Guest speakers from industry and voluntary agencies make available opportunities for increasing student employability

Our Criminology and Psychopathology MSc will provide you with opportunities to enter and/or progress within a diverse range of occupations including but not restricted to:

• psychology (and related disciplines eg criminology, sociology)
• health practitioners (eg nurses, key workers or GPs)
• social workers
• probation, prison and police services

The course also provides additional benefit if you wish to pursue further study in
clinical psychology and/or forensic psychology.

You will be required to have:

• a lower second class honours degree with 2:2 (or above) or equivalent