MSc Forensic Psychology and Mental Health

Year of entry: 2024

Course unit details:
Introduction to Forensic Psychology and Professional Practice

Course unit fact file
Unit code PSYC62301
Credit rating 30
Unit level FHEQ level 7 – master's degree or fourth year of an integrated master's degree
Teaching period(s) Semester 1
Available as a free choice unit? No

Overview

The unit will begin with an overview of the Qualification in Forensic Psychology (QFP) to enable you to develop an understanding of the formal applied training route should you wish to become a Registered Forensic Psychologist. This will emphasise the importance of reflective practice and the necessity of blending theory with practice, contextualising forensic psychological practice and introducing you to the need for independent future development. The focus on reflective practice will allow you to maximise your gains from the MSc by focusing your personal learning objectives in order to support effective progression to applied psychology training, other relevant careers or further academic study.There is significant focus on ethics and professional practice, clarifying the differing roles of the BPS and HCPC and analysing ethical dilemmas. Teaching on the unit  utilises clinical examples to facilitate critical thinking, application and debate around ethics and professional practice broadly. Students will examine core theories of crime and offending behaviour to underpin the teaching for the rest of the course. The forensic environment will be reviewed, considering culture and impact of working with forensic clients. The unit will explore ways of working with special populations and victims of crime. Finally, the unit will investigate core psychological theory and models underpinning the consultancy and training roles within forensic psychology practice.

Aims

Provide you with an introduction to key themes and theories underpinning forensic psychology and mental health, specifically in relation to professional practice. The unit aims to equip you with an understanding of the forensic environment, specialist forensic populations and ways of working across the criminal justice system. This overview is rooted in core theories of offending behaviour. It is our aim that this unit affords you insight, at Stage I level, to core aspects of forensic psychology practice. These areas are likely to be new to you as they are not typically addressed in forensic undergraduate units. The unit also aims to highlight the link between Stage I and Stage II; to assist you in tailoring and furthering your learning throughout the MSc.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the unit you should be able to;

  1. Critically evaluate and synthesise core psychological theory relevant to forensic settings(e.g. theoretical   concepts   to explain   the  forensic   environment,  the   process  of consultancy, understanding of organisational culture in forensic settings);
  2. Critically evaluate approaches/interventions for working with different client groups in forensic/criminal justice settings;
  3. Interpret and apply ethics and professional practice standards using forensic practice based examples (with reference to BPS and HCPC practice guidance);
  4. Demonstrate originality and independence in solving problems, planning and implementing tasks;
  5. Independently utilise resources to develop knowledge;
  6. Employ effective written and verbal communication skills;
  7. Work effectively with subgroup of peers to analyse and construct a formal presentation of an ethical dilemma from a forensic case example;
  8. Demonstrate skills in applying  knowledge of reflection to critique and develop own learning;
  9. Demonstrate sensitivity, respectful and non-discriminatory language in relation to forensic clients/settings.

 

Teaching and learning methods

The teaching and learning methods involve a blend of both online learning and face to face lectures and workshops. Teaching will be delivered predominantly in an interactive lecture format. Online components will require you to engage with online materials developed for the purpose, including video clips, interactive demonstrations and guided activities. Directed study components comprise additional exercises and specified reading related to each session. The guided learning will require you to access interactive e-resources to further build knowledge of the forensic environment and specialist forensic populations. Blackboard will be used to facilitate online discussion of material and to present resources such as resources for each session  and access to online reading lists.

Assessment methods

  1. Analysis of policy (50%)
  2. Case study analysis (50%)

Feedback methods

Student representation plays a vital and important part in helping the programme maintain and improve the quality of its provision. Student representatives liaise between staff and students on matters of concern to either side; provide two-way feedback on the course and on teaching quality, and promote active student involvement in course development.Student representatives are also invited to speak confidentially to the external examiner at the end of the academic year, and to participate in end-of-year course review meetings. Representatives are asked to feedback information from these meetings to the other students.In addition, at the end of each semester students are asked to complete an on-line evaluation questionnaire for each course unit they have taken. At the end of the course they complete a general evaluation for their overall programme of study. This anonymous feedback is circulated to unit leaders. This helps to ensure quality assurance.

Recommended reading

You will be expected to supplement your reading, and source your own relevant articles as demonstrated by your blackboard learning. Additional contemporary publications will be discussed during the unit.

  • Bush, S, Denney, R. L, Connell, M. (2020) Ethical practice in forensic psychology: a guide for mental health professionals; American Psychological
  • Association.
  • Campling, P., Davies, S. & Farquharson, G. (2004) From toxic institutions to therapeutic environments: Residential settings in mental health services. Gaskell.
  • Crighton, D., & Towl, G. (2008) Psychology in Prisons (2ndEdition).BPS Blackwell.
  • Crighton, D., & Towl, G. (2015) Forensic Psychology (2nd Edition). BPS Blackwell.
  • McGuire, J., & Duff, S. (2018). Forensic psychology: routes through the system. Palgrave Macmillan.Gredecki, N., & Turner, P. (2022) Forensic Psychology: Topics in Applied Psychology. Routledge.

Study hours

Scheduled activity hours
eAssessment 10
Lectures 50
Practical classes & workshops 5
Tutorials 5
Independent study hours
Independent study 230

Teaching staff

Staff member Role
Neil Gredecki Unit coordinator
Polly Turner Unit coordinator

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