Practical Experience
MODULE CODE
CREDIT VALUE
DELIVERY
Module Aims
Aim 1
To give students practical experience of working in the field of forensic psychology
Aim 2
To give students the opportunity to build on and apply the theory studied during their course.
Aim 3
To prepare students to be able to meet, to an appropriate standard, a range of work demands within their particular context of employment.
Aim 4
To expose students to professional working practices
Aim 5
To develop students’ personal and enterprise skills.
Module Content
The module captures the following content:
1000 hours of supervised work placement in industry.
With support and guidance from one or more practicing professionals (supervisors), students will gain direct experience of the realities of professional working in relevant contexts, develop practical skills and the ability to integrate theory into practice.
The purpose of supervised practice described here is designed to ensure that Forensic Psychologists are able to meet, to an appropriate standard, a range of work demands within their particular contexts of employment.
Students may be engaged in a position within or associated with the justice system (e.g. trainee psychologist, psychological assistant, crime analyst, researcher) or work within an academic setting concerned substantially with research, lecturing, or consultancy within Forensic Psychology or perhaps be employed as a social worker or probation officer and the like. Possible employment fields can include prison service, probation services, health service.
Supervisors should oversee the students’ practice and professional development and address any aspect which they identify as a potential concern or training need (including by bringing this, where appropriate, to the attention of the module tutor).
The module content also aims to provide culturally sensitive and inclusive consultation and supervision services, adapting approaches to work with diverse populations, building rapport with clients from different cultural backgrounds, and providing culturally sensitive feedback
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module, a student will be able to:
Teaching Methods
The practical experience is optional and can be undertaken after the successful completion of Year 1. The normal length of the supervised work placement period is one year. A continuous placement with a single employer is preferred, though exceptional circumstances may necessitate a change of employer. The validity of any placement is assessed on an individual basis.
The work undertaken by the student must be of an adequate technical standard in an area of work strongly related to the field of forensic psychology.The employer nominates an industrial supervisor, who is the main point of contact with the university. However, the student may be directed on a day-to-day basis by other staff.
The student will work as an employee of the organisation and will be expected to perform allocated duties to the same level as other employees with a similar level of experience.
Although the period of work experience has aims and learning outcomes and is assessed, it does not contribute to the minimum module requirement for the award nor the award classification calculation. Student performance is not measured as a percentage, but as Unsatisfactory, Pass, Merit, Distinction, and, if appropriate, the overall award is endorsed with merit/distinction.
The student compiles a portfolio comprising a placement logbook/diary, and interim and end-of-placement report for assessment by the industrial placements tutor in conjunction with reports from the industrial supervisor and visiting tutor.
Assessment Methods
This module is assessed through one Placement Assessment, one Clinical Skills Examination, one Interim Report and one Portfolio.
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