Criminological Psychology: Theories and Development of Criminal Behaviour
30 credits
The module intends to build upon knowledge and skills gained at undergraduate level and provide a foundation of the current knowledge, theory and evidence base relevant to forensic psychology.
The module aims to develop students’ knowledge of major psychological and criminological theories of crime, criminality and victimisation.
Students will have the knowledge to enable them to progress to working with individuals across the lifespan (including children and young people in conflict with the law).
Forensic Mental Health
20 credits
This module aims to provide students with knowledge about the range of mental health conditions experienced by victims and offenders, including neurodevelopmental conditions and co-morbid conditions such as autism, alcohol and drug abuse, anxiety disorders. The module will develop students’ knowledge and critical understanding about approaches to assessment and formulation.
Legal Psychology: Policing, Crime and Justice
10 credits
This module aims to develop students’ critical understanding of psychological theories relating to justice systems, including police investigations and criminal and civil courts. It also aims to develop students’ knowledge of practice in the legal system.
Forensic Organisational Psychology
10 credits
This module aims to provide students with comprehensive understanding of forensic settings as systems, and the issues involved in working in complex environments. The module will develop students’ thinking about issues affecting service-users and client groups with a systems perspective. Students will also understand the principles and procedures that forensic psychologists use when evaluating the practice of organisations and conducting consultancy.
Forensic Practice Interventions
20 credits
The module aims to provide students with working knowledge of the content and delivery of therapeutic programmes and approaches driven by information gathered by assessment and formulation. Students will demonstrate knowledge and critical understanding of a range of interventions available for offenders, patients and at risk individuals, victims/survivors, professionals, groups and organisations.
Qualitative Research Methods
10 credits
This module considers a range of qualitative approaches suitable for psychologists. Students will be introduced to the theoretical and philosophical underpinnings and practical application of a number of qualitative research methods.
Introduction to Research Methods
10 credits
This course aims to provide students with the knowledge and skills to effectively plan and design research as well as to critically appraise published research.
Students will be introduced to:
- how to write a literature review in a systematic way
- how to write a research proposal
- study designs (including developing research questions)
- ethics and practical issues when planning and conducting research.
The course will also cover:
- designing questionnaires
- psychometric issues such as reliability and validity
- using interviews and focus groups
- use of the internet and an introduction to online research methods
Applied Forensic Analytical Methods
10 credits
This module aims to further develop the students understanding of research methods in a forensic psychology context, exploring more complex study designs and statistical methods.
Analytical methods will be explored in depth with consideration of both quantitative, qualitative and mixed methods designs.
Forensic Psychology Research Dissertation
60 credits
This module will provide students with the opportunity to engage in, and learn from, supervised project work in forensic psychology. The emphasis is on applied research and associated methods in a forensic context.