MSc Forensic Psychology

Overview

Available for October 2022 Entry

The MSc Forensic Psychology is a unique programme designed to prepare students for numerous diverse or specific careers within the general context of the Criminal Justice System. The programme is built around the fundamental theoretical, methodological and applied areas of Forensic Psychology.

In terms of the programme philosophy, the MSc Forensic Psychology reflects the academic skills underpinning the application of psychology to a forensic setting. It provides a strong emphasis on the application of Forensic Psychology in professional practice and how theoretical concepts are applied. Furthermore, the programme attends to victims and offenders. With regard to the latter, it follows the progression of an offender from their first contact with the criminal justice system until their eventual release into the community and/or transfer to conditions of less security. Attention is given to the victim and pre-trial issues (including civil justice). The role of on-going assessment, intervention and through-care are emphasised throughout the curriculum.

To foster professional growth, the programme places a strong emphasis upon developing professional report writing and presentation skills, methodological rigour, research expertise, independent learning and critical thinking. To facilitate this, students will be exposed to a learning and research environment that is rich in mentoring opportunities from members of the programme team with academic and/or practical forensic experience.

Within the programme, students have the option to take the practical experience module, which includes 1000 hours of supervised practical training.

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Modules

Compulsory
• Advanced Methods in Psychology
• Advanced Forensic Psychology Project
• Psychology and the Legal System
• Personal Attributes of Offenders and Victims
• Professional Practice: Forensic Consultancy and Supervision
• Forensic Risk Assessment
• Psychology, Investigation and the Courtroom
• Violent and Sexual Offenders: Intervention
• Forensic Mental Health

Optional
• Practical Experience

The 2nd year of the MSc Forensic Psychology consists of a multi component module which includes a series of practical workshops designed to enrich the trainees’ practical assessment and treatment skills. An indicative list of seminars is provided below:

Assessment skills
Forensic assessment interview
Professional issues (ethics in correctional facilities, confidentiality, conflict of interest, treatment refusal)
Core counselling skills
Assessment & diagnosis
Introduction to person-centred counselling
Formulation practice
Group processes
Introduction to Cognitive Behaviour Therapy
Introduction to trauma-focused CBT
Introduction to play therapy for children that faced trauma
Anger management interventions for offenders
Problem solving interventions
Introduction to Contextual Behaviour Science
Introduction to Dialectical Behaviour Therapy
Psychometric Testing and use of Projective Tests
Substance misuse treatment in forensic settings
Legislation awareness/ being an expert witness/ working as a forensic psychologist in criminal cases
Psychopharmacology in forensic settings
Child custody assessments
Competency to stand trial
Malingering
Suicidality in forensic mental health and prison setting
Special population (i.e. female offenders, minors etc.)
Substance and prison
Civil Law

In addition, the practical experience module provides trainees with the opportunity to have internships in a number of organisations, including weekly individual and group supervision.

Career Options

The course covers a range of forensic psychology topics and allows candidates to strengthen the knowledge and skills that are essential for becoming Certified Forensic Psychologists. The course has been specifically designed to reflect the academic skills required to apply psychology to a forensic setting, including universities, prisons, secure hospitals, probation, police services and the courts.

Overall, the course can prepare students for numerous diverse or specific careers in the public as well as the private sector. It provides graduates with the necessary skills and knowledge to pursue careers within the general context of the Criminal Justice System. Students who complete the practical experience module (1000 hours of supervised training) will be able to become registered Forensic Psychologists and practise the profession in Cyprus.