You are here: Home / Archives for career in clinical forensic psychology

Master’s Degree in Forensic Psychology @ Maastricht University

March 26, 2012 By Comments

Purchase cialis online

pg” alt=”" width=”204″ height=”158″ />After having reviewed the five fully online masters programs in forensic psychology, numerous requests were received for more information on the campus-based masters programs in forensic psychology that are available. Thus, this series of articles will review each of the masters programs in forensic psychology and provide information on each program in a similar format so as to assist in comparisons between the various options.

The goal of this series of articles is simply to provide information in a consistent format to assist those individuals who are considering an education in forensic psychology and not to convince anyone to attend a particular program. Having been a professor in this field for the last 13 years I am familiar at some level with almost every forensic psychology program available in North America and a few on other continents as well. Many undergraduate students are not familiar with all the possible options and so this series will lay them out in a consistent format for ease of comparison.

Masters Degree in Forensic Psychology – Maastricht University

Program Description

From the website: Forensic Psychology is the application of scientific and professional aspects of psychology to questions and issues relating to law and the legal system. The two-year Master of Science in Forensic Psychology (MSc) at Maastricht University, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, educates its students to become scientist-practitioners in the forensic mental health field.

This selective programme provides students with a mix of theoretical and empirical knowledge in forensic psychology through the educational concept of Problem Based Learning (PBL). Students study the literature in relation to real-life problems and work in small tutorial groups to meet their learning goals. Furthermore, the programme includes hands-on training in forensic assessment and therapy skills. This combination makes this master’s programme unique.

Forensic psychologists always operate with two goals in mind: the safety of society and the well-being of the offender-patient. Forensic psychologists need specialised knowledge in areas such as offender typologies, criminal and juvenile law, psychopathy, malingering, sexual offending, trauma and victimisation, risk assessment and offender treatment.

Work in forensic settings is challenging. First of all, the patient group that is admitted to forensic settings is diverse and demanding, including persons with severe antisocial behaviour problems and co-morbid mental disorders (such as schizophrenia combined with substance use disorders). Secondly, assessment and research questions in forensic settings are highly complex (for example questions concerning criminal responsibility, future violence risk and parenting capacity). Last but not least, to be able to work effectively in the forensic field, specialised skills and knowledge in the field of material law and legal procedure are required, for example to serve as an expert witness in court.

Apart from the above-mentioned knowledge and skills, a successful career in the forensic mental health field requires strong motivation and communication skills.

The Master in Forensic Psychology is a two-year, internationally oriented programme, taught in English.

Specializations

The two-year master’s programme in Forensic Psychology will deliver scientist-practitioner forensic psychologists with both knowledge of mental disorders and their evidence-based assessment and treatment, specific to forensic settings. The first year of the two-year programme prepares the students for their clinical and research internship, and their master’s thesis during the second year.

Credits

The two-year program of study has a total of 120 European credits (60 credits each academic year), with each credit equaling 28 hours of study.

Thesis

Completion of a masters thesis is a required component of this program.

Externship/Practicum

The internship is a key component of the education as a forensic psychologist. During the second year, students will spend at least 32 weeks on internships, applying the theoretical knowledge and professional skills and attitudes obtained during the first year.

There are two internships. The research internship entails addressing a carefully formulated research question, working out a research proposal, conducting the actual study, and writing a master’s thesis in a form suitable for submission to an English-language scientific journal.

The clinical internship is aimed at conducting evidence-based practice in forensic assessment and forensic therapy. Furthermore, students will conduct a small-scale clinical research project, which forms the basis for the minor thesis. During the clinical internship period, students who are located close enough to the UM, will have regular in-person meetings with fellow students and an instructor, to discuss their experiences at the internship site and to learn to relate these experiences to relevant knowledge and skills. Dutch-speaking students are offered the opportunity to fulfill entrance requirements for professional postmaster training programmes in The Netherlands.

Admission Requirements

To be eligible for admission in this master’s programme, students must meet the following criteria:

  • A bachelor’s degree in Psychology or Mental Health Science from a Dutch university, or a foreign university bachelor’s degree from a programme that meets similar achievement levels;
  • The bachelor’s programme must include the following subjects relevant to this master’s programme:
  • Basic training in clinical interviewing skills;
  • Basic training in psychological assessment;
  • Basic training in research methodology and statistical analysis;
  • Basic training in psychopathology
  • A Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.0 or more (= 7.0 or more in the Dutch grading system) for the subjects (courses, thesis, practicums, etc.) of the bachelor’s degree.

Tuition & Fees

In-State Residents

Individuals who are citizens of The Netherlands or one of the other EU/EER countries, Suriname, or Switzerland pay approximately the following tuition:

€1,771 per year

Out-of-State Residents

Individuals who are not citizens of The Netherlands or one of the other EU/EER countries, Suriname, or Switzerland pay the following tuition:

€12,000 per year

Coursework

Core Courses

Introduction to Forensic Psychology (4 credits)

Eyewitnesses and Victims (4 credits)

Psychotic Disorders (4 credits)

Perpetrators and Defendants (4 credits)

Personality Disorders (6 credits)

Criminal Law (6 credits)

Professional Ethics in Forensic Psychology (2 credits)

Forensic Neuropsychology (2 credits)

Sex Offenders (2 credits)

Psychopharmacology of Reward and Drugs of Abuse (2 credits)

Deception and Malingering (2 credits)

What works with young offenders? (2 credits)

Master class with international experts I (3 credits)

Master class with international experts II (3 credits)

Workshop

Writing a research proposal (1 credit)

Skills Labs

Assessment skills lab I (4 credits)

Assessment skills lab II (4 credits)

Therapy skills lab I & II (6 credits)

Expert witness skills lab (2 credits)

Clinical and Research

Research proposal (2 credits)

Research Internship (25 credits)

Masters thesis (10 credits)

Clinical research proposal (1 credit)

Clinical Internship (15 credits)

Minor’s Thesis (4 credits)

Concluding Comments

This is a well known and high quality program of study in The Netherlands and the faculty consists of internationally respected researchers on forensic issues. The program is akin to a clinical psychology program in the United States (as opposed to experimental) but has a strong emphasis on research as well as clinical work. Students who are interested in more information about this program should check out the program’s website, which includes an informative 12-minute video with Professor Corine de Ruiter, an international expert in forensic psychology and member of the faculty.

Filed Under: Education & Training, Masters Programs Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , ,

Master’s Degree in Forensic Psychology @ University of Denver

January 20, 2012 By Comments

cialis order

width=”259″ height=”195″ />After having reviewed the five fully online masters programs in forensic psychology, numerous requests were received for more information on the campus-based masters programs in forensic psychology that are available. Thus, this series of articles will review each of the masters programs in forensic psychology and provide information on each program in a similar format so as to assist in comparisons between the various options

The goal of this series of articles is simply to provide information in a consistent format to assist those individuals who are considering an education in forensic psychology and not to convince anyone to attend a particular program. Having been a professor in this field for the last 13 years I am familiar at some level with almost every forensic psychology program available in North America. Many undergraduate students are not familiar with all the possible options and so this series will lay them out in a consistent format for ease of comparison.

Masters Degree in Forensic Psychology –University of Denver

Program Description

From the website: Our mission is to provide comprehensive education and training relevant to the application of psychological theory, knowledge, skills, and competencies to the civil and criminal justice systems.

The Master of Arts in forensic psychology was first offered at the GSPP in 1999 in response to the growing interest in the rapidly developing field of forensic psychology. The degree supplements fundamental master’s level clinical psychology training with course work and practicum experiences in the area of psychology and law. The Masters Degree in forensic psychology concerns the application of psychological theory, knowledge, skills and competencies to the civil and criminal justice systems. It is designed to train students to become mental health professionals, able to work in a variety of clinical settings within the criminal and civil legal system, including but not limited to: adult, juvenile and child populations; victim assistance; police consultation; correctional institutions; domestic violence and child abuse programs; and trial consulting.

Specializations

The Masters in Forensic Psychology is a clinically-oriented degree and students are expected to engage in practical application of their learned skills through field placements in a variety of forensic settings. No specializations, per se, exist in this program and all students are expected to take the same general sequence of coursework.

Credits

The program website does not appear to specify how many credits are required for this Masters program. It states that the degree is completed over a 2-year period.

Thesis

It does not appear that completing a thesis is an option in this program. The program was designed to prepare masters-level clinicians for work in a variety of forensic settings.

Externship/Practicum

Students are required to complete field placements as part of their clinical training. At least two field placements appear to be required.

Admission Requirements

A Bachelor’s degree is required for admission to the Masters program. If the student did not major in psychology as an undergraduate, 4 psychology courses are required (these are recommended: abnormal psychology, child psychology, experimental psychology, personality theory) as is a statistics course. This requirement can also be met by obtaining a score of 660 or higher on the Psychology Subject GRE.

All applicants must submit GRE scores. “The school expects an undergraduate grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.5 and a graduate GPA of 3.0. Higher scores may make an application more competitive.”

Tuition & Fees

The University of Denver has one of the most difficult websites to navigate and it is difficult to find straightforward answers to simple questions such as “How much is this degree going to cost me?” I was unable to find how many credit hours the Masters degree is comprised of but could ascertain that students were expected to attend the program for 2 full-time years, which appears to be 3 “quarters” a year. I was unable to find different rates for in-state and out-of-state residents so assume that the cost of a graduate education is the same for both (as it is at most other institutions).

In-State Residents

$12,312 per quarter (students attend three quarters in a calendar year) = $36, 936/year (the Masters degree is a 2-year program)

Out-of-State Residents

$12,312 per quarter (students attend three quarters in a calendar year) = $36, 936/year (the Masters degree is a 2-year program)

Coursework

Again, this was a difficult site to navigate and did not include a lot of specific information. The site includes a list of courses but does not contain any course numbers or credit hours. The courses are described and listed by year in the program.

Typical First-Year Courses

Professionalism and Practice I (First-Year Case Conference)

Introduction to Clinical Interviewing and Psychotherapy

Forensic Mental Health: The Basics (Forensic Psychology I)

Forensic Mental Health: The Front LinesLaw Enforcement and Correctional Psychology (Forensic Psychology II)

Forensic Mental Health: Risky Business (Forensic Psychology III)

Group Interventions

Statistics

Research Methods

Issues in Measurement

Adult Psychopathology and Diagnosis

Trauma and Crisis Intervention

Profiles in Crime: The Psychology of Criminal Behavior

Conflict Resolution in Forensic Practice and Real Life

Typical Second-Year Courses

Professionalism and Practice II (Second-Year Case Conference)

Ethical Issues in Forensic Psychology

Cognitive Assessment

Self Report Assessment

Projective Assessment

Sociocultural Issues in Forensic Psychology

Family Law

Mental Health Law

Evaluation and Treatment of the Juvenile Offender

Evaluation and Treatment of the Adult Offenders

Cognitive Behavioral Interventions

Substance Abuse: Theory and Treatment

Criminal Evaluations

Concluding Comments

The website for this program is perhaps one of the most difficult to navigate and therefore one of the least informative that I have seen. No specific answers to simple and important questions, such as “How much is this going to cost?” “How many courses am I required to take?” “What is the sequence of coursework?” or “How many credits do I need to earn?” were provided. Given that almost every other program in this area provides at least this information to prospective students, I wonder why this is not a priority for this particular program. If anyone from the University of Denver happens to read this post, please fill out the comments section below if you can provide me with some of the answers to these questions. If you are a student considering this program, I strongly advise you to contact the program director to find out the answers to these and other relevant questions.

What is clear is that this is a clinically oriented program that is intended to prepare students for work as masters-level clinicians and not necessarily for further study at the doctoral level. Students considering this program will want to inquire about whether the state in which they intend to reside licenses master’s level clinicians in psychology. Although the website indicates that 29% of their graduates go on to doctoral programs, I suspect that those individuals have sought out other opportunities for research while in the program. As the program is described, there does not appear to be a required research component.

Filed Under: Education & Training, Masters Programs Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Master’s Degree in Forensic Psychology @ Roger Williams University

January 18, 2012 By Comments

viagra order

illiams.jpg” alt=”" width=”224″ height=”164″ />After having reviewed the five fully online masters programs in forensic psychology, numerous requests were received for more information on the campus-based masters programs in forensic psychology that are available. Thus, this series of articles will review each of the masters programs in forensic psychology and provide information on each program in a similar format so as to assist in comparisons between the various options.

The goal of this series of articles is simply to provide information in a consistent format to assist those individuals who are considering an education in forensic psychology and not to convince anyone to attend a particular program. Having been a professor in this field for the last 13 years I am familiar at some level with almost every forensic psychology program available in North America. Many undergraduate students are not familiar with all the possible options and so this series will lay them out in a consistent format for ease of comparison.

Masters Degree in Forensic Psychology – Roger Williams University

Program Description

From the website: A two-year, full-time program, the Master of Arts in Forensic Psychology is designed to prepare students to provide assessment and treatment services in a forensic setting or for further training at the doctoral level. Students will be trained in psychological testing, treatment, research methodology and psychopathology.

Internships and practica are available at a variety of forensic sites. Experiences include the areas of group psychotherapy, sex offender treatment, individual psychotherapy, psychological testing and specialized assessment techniques. Research-based internships are also available.

Specializations

The Master of Arts in Forensic Psychology curriculum is arranged in two tracks: (1) Non-Thesis/Practitioner (for students seeking specialized training in psychology prior to entering the work force as master’s level forensic practitioners), and (2) Thesis (for students seeking master’s level training in psychology as preparation for future study toward a doctoral degree in psychology). The nine-course core sequence provides students with the breadth and depth needed for the theoretical foundation as well as the research and skills necessary to become forensic psychologists. Students then select four electives from various areas within Forensic Psychology. Finally, students take six credits of Thesis or Practicum according to their track, for a minimum of 45 credits.

Credits

The program consists of 45 credits (13 courses (including 4 electives) and 6 credits of either thesis or practicum work, depending on the track chosen by the student).

Thesis

Students can select either a thesis track or a practicum track. Six credits of thesis work are required of those students choosing the thesis track.

Externship/Practicum

Students can select either a thesis track or a practicum track. Six credits of practicum work are required of those students choosing thepracticum track.

Admission Requirements

From the website: Applicants to the Master of Arts in Forensic Psychology program must hold a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, Criminal Justice, or related field from an accredited college or university and have achieved an overall GPA of 3.0 or greater in undergraduate work. Applicants must have scored a minimum of 1000 on the original version of the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) or a minimum of 300 on the revised Graduate Record Exam (GRE) to be considered for admission. Applicants must have also satisfactorily completed undergraduate courses in both Statistics and Research Methods.

Tuition & Fees

In-State Residents

$724/credit

Out-of-State Residents

$724/credit

Coursework

Required Core Courses (27 credits)

PSYCH 501 Research Design

PSYCH 502 Quantitative Methods I

PSYCH 503 Forensic Psychology

PSYCH 504 Psychology and the Law

PSYCH 505 Introduction to Clinical Assessment: Objective Tests

PSYCH 532 Cross Cultural Psychology

PSYCH 550 Ethics in Professional Psychology

One of the following:

PSYCH 506 Assessment in Criminal Law

PSYCH 507 Assessment Issues in Civil Law

One of the following:

PSYCH 520 Developmental Psychopathology

PSYCH 521 Adult Psychopathology

PSYCH 525 Psychology of Criminal Behavior

Advanced Electives (12 credits)

Choose four from the following:

PSYCH 508 Forensic Report Writing

PSYCH 509 Methods of Psychotherapy I

PSYCH 510 Quantitative Methods II

PSYCH 511 Children, Adolescents and the Law

PSYCH 512 Child Assessment

PSYCH 513 Vocational Training

PSYCH 515 Introduction to Group Counseling

PSYCH 519 Methods of Psychotherapy II

PSYCH 530 Special Topics in Psychology

PSYCH 531 Family Violence

PSYCH 533 Law and Mental Health

PSYCH 534 Advanced Developmental Psychology

PSYCH 535 Group Dynamics: Methods and Design

PSYCH 540 Advanced Personality Psychology

PSYCH 550 Professional Ethics in Psychology

Thesis or Practicum Work (6 credits)

PSYCH 597 Thesis

PSYCH 598: Practicum

Concluding Comments

This masters program is intended to prepare students for work in forensic settings or for further study at the doctoral level in psychology. The coursework provides foundational information in both research design and statistics, which is important for preparing students to take on clinical roles or for further study at the doctoral level. This program appears to be a solid option for students who are interested in clinical forensic psychology, whether they desire a master’s degree as a terminal degree or further education at the doctoral level. Those desiring to continue their education at the doctoral level are advised to complete the thesis track in this program.

Photo courtesy of schoolguides.com

Filed Under: Education & Training, Masters Programs Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Master’s Degree in Forensic Psychology @ Massachusetts School of Professional Psychology

January 6, 2012 By Comments

buy canadian viagra

alforensicpsychology.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/MassachusettsSchoolofProfessionalPsychology.jpg” alt=”" width=”200″ height=”86″ />After having reviewed the five fully online masters programs in forensic psychology, numerous requests were received for more information on the campus-based masters programs in forensic psychology that are available. Thus, this series of articles will review each of the masters programs in forensic psychology and provide information on each program in a similar format so as to assist in comparisons between the various options.

The goal of this series of articles is simply to provide information in a consistent format to assist those individuals who are considering an education in forensic psychology and not to convince anyone to attend a particular program. Having been a professor in this field for the last 13 years I am familiar at some level with almost every forensic psychology program available in North America. Many undergraduate students are not familiar with all the possible options and so this series will lay them out in a consistent format for ease of comparison.

Masters Degree in Forensic Psychology – Massachusetts School of Professional Psychology

Program Description

From the website: This program examines the relationship between psychology and the legal system, and trains students at this intersection as it relates to applying psychological principles to legal issues in judicial, correctional, clinical, administrative, and education systems. The full-time two-year course of study combines intensive on-site weekends and online learning over a two-year period. Although the primary goal is to prepare master’s level clinicians, this program will also provide students with some of the necessary foundations for pursuing further graduate study. Graduates of this program will have fulfilled all educational requirements to qualify for licensure in the state of Massachusetts as Mental Health Counselors (LMHC).

“Students enrolled in the Master of Arts in Forensic & Counseling Psychology are trained to work as master’s level practitioners with individuals, families and systems that interface with the legal and criminal justice arena. Our aim is to prepare clinicians who will be able to assess, treat, consult and apply counseling psychology in forensic settings. When so many individuals involved with the criminal justice system have great need for trained professionals in this area, we are providing clinicians that are thoroughly trained and sensitive to their particular challenges.”

—Nilda M. Clark, Psy.D.
Head, Counseling Psychology Department

Specializations

No concentrations are available. All students take the same series of courses, including two years (960) hours of fieldwork placement.

Credits

The program consists of 60 credits (18 courses, and two years (960 hours) of fieldwork placement, as well as a Capstone Project).

Thesis

Not required. Students complete a Capstone Project and Presentation in lieu of a Masters Thesis.

Externship/Practicum

Required. Students must complete two years (960 hours) of fieldwork placement as part of the degree requirements. This includes a 360-hour practicum in the first year and a 600-hour internship in the second year. Students who complete this degree are eligible for licensure in Massachusetts as Mental Health Counselors.

Admission Requirements

From the website: Eligible applicants must hold a four-year college degree from a regionally-accredited institution (or its equivalent). Although not required, at least some coursework in the field of psychology is strongly recommended. Although cutoff scores are not strictly applied, the most competitive candidates for admission will have an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher. The GRE is not required. For applicants whose primary language is not English, the preferred TOEFL combined scores will be 637 (paper-based). 270 (computer-based), or 110 (internet-based). Applicants whose scores are substantially lower than these should qualify the reasons for this in their application. The written components of the application (i.e., the required work samples) are also vital for this evaluation.

Tuition & Fees

In-State Residents

$1011/credit

Out-of-State Residents

$1011/credit

Coursework

Required Foundational Courses (42 credits)

COU CX510 – Theories of Counseling and Psychotherapy
COU LS659 – Lifespan Development
COU CC523 – Psychology of Diversity and Difference
COU PS635 – Professional Issues and Ethics
COU FS620 – Forensic Internship Seminar I
COU FS621 – Forensic Internship Seminar II
COU CS500 – Clinical Practicum Seminar I – Helping Relationships I
COU CS501 – Clinical Practicum Seminar II – Helping Relationships II
COU SB515 – Substance Abuse and Treatment
COU GR501 – Group Counseling and Psychotherapy
COU PA530 – Psychological Appraisal and Assessment
COU RS510 – Research and Evaluation in Psychology
COU PR625 – Forensic Capstone Project Seminar
COU PY522 – Adult Psychopathology

Required Specialized Courses (12 credits + 6 credits of fieldwork)

COU FS500 – Behavioral Criminology
COU MH530 – Psychology and the Legal System
COU FS550 – Consultation and Testimony in Forensic Psychology
COU FS501 – Sex Offender Evaluation and Treatment or COU TR602 – Trauma, Treatment and Theory

Concluding Comments

The website also indicates that students can complete this program on a part-time basis, with the 60 credit hours being distributed over the course of 8 consecutive semesters (and a maximum time to completion of 3 years).

This masters program is intended to prepare students for work in forensic settings and to become licensed mental health counselors in the state of Massachusetts. While there does not appear to be a strong emphasis on research in this program, the point of this program is to prepare students to work in clinical and applied settings, rather than to prepare them for further education at the doctoral level. Those students who desire to continue their education at the doctoral level are advised to evaluate other masters program with a stronger emphasis on research training. This program appears to be a good option for those students who are interested in working in applied forensic settings as licensed mental health counselors, an area for which there appears to be a growing need.

Filed Under: Education & Training, Masters Programs Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,

Master’s Degree in Forensic Psychology @ Marymount University

November 25, 2011 By Comments

After having reviewed the five fully online masters programs in forensic psychology, numerous requests were received for more information on the campus-based masters programs in forensic psychology that are available. Thus, this series of articles will review each of the masters programs in forensic psychology and provide information on each program in a similar format so as to assist in comparisons between the various options.

The goal of this series of articles is simply to provide information in a consistent format to assist those individuals who are considering an education in forensic psychology and not to convince anyone to attend a particular program. Having been a professor in this field for the last 13 years I am familiar at some level with almost every forensic psychology program available in North America. Many undergraduate students are not familiar with all the possible options and so this series will lay them out in a consistent format for ease of comparison.

Masters Degree in Forensic Psychology – Marymount University

Program Description

From the website: Marymount University has been a leader in preparing individuals to be part of one of the most sought-after career fields today – forensic psychology.

Marymount was the first Washington, DC, area university to offer the Master of Arts in Forensic Psychology. And you can capitalize on the University’s alliances and proximity to key agencies important to study in this field – organizations such as the FBI, NCIS, the Supreme Court, the U.S. Department of Justice, and the Virginia Department of Juvenile Justice. MU integrates the resources of such agencies through site visits, courtroom observations, field research, internships, and distinguished speakers.

The discipline of forensic psychology is concerned with the application of psychological knowledge to the juvenile, civil, and criminal justice systems. Marymount’s Forensic Psychology program is interdisciplinary and combines study in sociology, criminal justice, and public policy, in addition to the many subfields of psychology. It addresses questions of value, such as how best to achieve fairness and justice in the American adversarial legal system, as well as empirical issues such as the origins of criminal behavior, problems with eyewitness testimony, evaluation of threats against public figures, personalities of political leaders, the origins of terrorism, evaluation and treatment of offenders and their victims, and the effectiveness of trial consultation. Each course incorporates an ethics component to encourage you to grapple with the extremely complicated issues involved in a career in forensic psychology.

Specializations

No concentrations are available. All students take the same series of courses (2 of which are electives for the student to choose).

Credits

The program consists of 39 credits (13 courses, including an internship experience in forensic psychology).

Thesis

Not required. It does not appear that completing a thesis is an option in this program; however, it appears that there are research opportunities available for those students who desire this experience.

Externship/Practicum

Required. Students must complete a pass/fail internship experience in forensic psychology, which consists of 300 hours (270 hours on site and 30 hours in the classroom).

Admission Requirements

Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university and must submit their GRE scores.

Tuition & Fees

In-State Residents

$770/credit

Out-of-State Residents

$770/credit (additional fees may apply for International Students)

Coursework

Required Coursework (39 credits)

PS 500 Research and Evaluation
PS 501 Bases of Psychopathology
PS 507 Social Psychology of Aggression
PS 517 Neuropsychological Issues, Treatments, and Assessments
PS 580 Foundations of Forensic Psychology
PS 581 Psychology and the Law
PS 582 Advanced Issues in Forensic Psychology
PS 584 Psychology of Criminal Behavior or SOC 507 Juvenile Justice
PS 585 Forensic Assessment
PS 599F Internship: Forensic Psychology
SOC 510 Theories of Social Deviance

One of the following:

CE 508 Crisis Intervention
CE 509 Substance Abuse Assessment and Intervention

One of the following:

CE 524 Theories and Techniques of Family Counseling
CE 551 Multicultural Counseling
CJ 501 Victims of Interpersonal Violence
CJ 508 Principles of Forensic Science I
CJ 509 Principles of Forensic Science II: Advanced Criminalistics
LA 500 Introduction to the Legal System
LA 590 Supervising Legal Research and Writing
LA 591 Advanced Legal Research and Writing/Computerized Legal Research
PS 529 Psychopathology of Childhood and Adolescence
PS 583 Psychology and Treatment of the Juvenile Offender
PS 586 Field Experience in Criminal Court
PS 587 Psychology, Social Policy, and Law
PS 588 Police Psychology
PS 589 Behavioral Criminology
PS 590 Issues in Criminal Assessment and Investigation
PS 591 Child Victimization
PS 592 Foundations of Political Psychology
PS 598 Project
SOC 507 Juvenile Justice
PS 584 Psychology of Criminal Behavior

Concluding Comments

The website also indicates that students in this program have the opportunity to: study abroad, in collaboration with the Forensic Psychology program at London Metropolitan University (a course is offered during alternating summers for select Marymount students); participate in ongoing research through an agreement with the FBI’s Behavioral Science Unit; earn a second degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and begin the supervised experience necessary for licensure as a licensed professional counselor (LPC); and land an internship or job with a regionally or nationally recognized agency or continue further study.

This masters program is intended to prepare students for work in forensic settings. While there does not appear to be a strong emphasis on research in this program, students who are interested in conducting research can take advantage of Marymount’s ties and connections with various agencies for this purpose. Those students who are interested in becoming licensed masters-level clinicians can do so through the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program, but not the Forensic Psychology program. The program offers fieldwork to provide an opportunity for students to develop practical skills. Those students who desire to continue their education at the doctoral level are advised to either select a different masters program with an emphasis on research training (preferred) or to take advantage of every opportunity to conduct research and take research methods and statistics courses while in this masters program.

Filed Under: Education & Training, Masters Programs Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Master’s Degree in Forensic Psychology @ Fairleigh Dickinson University

November 9, 2011 By Comments

cialis buy online

content/uploads/2011/11/fairleigh.jpg” alt=”" width=”104″ height=”104″ />After having reviewed the five fully online masters programs in forensic psychology, numerous requests were received for more information on the campus-based masters programs in forensic psychology that are available. Thus, this series of articles will review each of the masters programs in forensic psychology and provide information on each program in a similar format so as to assist in comparisons between the various options.

The goal of this series of articles is simply to provide information in a consistent format to assist those individuals who are considering an education in forensic psychology and not to convince anyone to attend a particular program. Having been a professor in this field for the last 13 years I am familiar at some level with almost every forensic psychology program available in North America. Many undergraduate students are not familiar with all the possible options and so this series will lay them out in a consistent format for ease of comparison.

Masters Degree in Forensic Psychology – Fairleigh Dickinson University

Program Description

From the website: Although many forensic psychologists are academics who teach and do research, most are full-time practitioners. Forensic psychologists are, essentially, clinicians trained to conduct specialized evaluations for the courts and testify as expert witnesses. The evaluations that the courts may request vary widely, ranging from criminal responsibility, diminished capacity and competency to child custody, disability, personal injury, death penalty mitigation, malingering, and violence / dangerousness risk.

Masters-level forensic psychologists will not, for the most part, be assigned to conduct these evaluations, although they may assist under the supervision a doctoral-level forensic psychologist. Masters-level forensic psychologists most frequently are employed as clinicians who conduct therapy with forensic clients, either in forensic settings (e.g., jails, prisons, locked forensic units in state hospitals) or in the community with probationers or parolees. Masters-level forensic psychologists are also employed to do research with a variety of justice-related agencies and organizations. As noted, masters-level forensic psychologists may also be hired by court clinics or private practitioners to assist with evaluations under the supervision of a licensed psychologist.

Our program at Fairleigh Dickinson University is designed to offer our students the maximum possible exposure to the broad field of forensic psychology while at the same time streamlining a curriculum that allows students to finish in 18 months. Students are exposed through coursework to all of the aforementioned areas of forensic psychology practice. In addition, students gain invaluable clinical experience through the completion of a 300-hour externship placement, and have the option to participate in forensic research and do a thesis.

Specializations

No concentrations are available. All students take the same series of courses and 2 electives.

Credits

The program consists of 36 credit hours, which the student takes over the course of 1 ½ years.

Thesis

Not required. Students have the option to participate in research and complete a thesis.

Externship/Practicum

Required. Students complete a 300-hour externship placement as a requirement of the program.

Admission Requirements

Students are required to have completed an undergraduate degree in psychology or a related field from an accredited institution of higher education (including coursework in Introductory Psychology, Statistics, and Abnormal Psychology) and must submit their scores from the general test of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). The website does not provide any information regarding average or minimum GRE scores or GPA.

Tuition & Fees

In-State Residents

$1075/credit hour

Out-of-State Residents

$1075/credit hour

Coursework

Required Coursework (36 credits; the following + 2 electives)

PSYC6121 Statistics and Research Methods

PSYC6114 Psychopathology

PSYC6230 Introduction to Forensic Psychology

PSYC6231 Psychological Basis of Criminal Behavior

PSYC7235 Evaluating Criminal Responsibility & Competency to Stand Trial

PSYC7230 Forensic Evaluation & Assessment

PSYC7130 Forensic Interviewing Techniques

PSYC6227 Clinical Practice in Forensic Contexts

PSYC7234 Ethical Issues in Forensic Psychology

Externship and Proseminar

Concluding Comments

This is a relatively short (fewer than usual credit hours) and relatively expensive (higher tuition per credit hour than most) masters program that appears mainly geared towards those students who wish to be involved in the delivery of psychological services to those in the correctional or forensic mental health systems. The focus on assessment appears relatively strong whereas interventions and other treatment methods are less emphasized. There does not appear to be a strong research focus in this program but the materials do note that a thesis is optional and is recommended for those students who would like to pursue doctoral-level study in psychology. It is unclear whether the thesis work would substitute for the externship requirement or some other part of the curriculum or would be completed in addition to the regular curriculum. Students interested in doctoral-level study in forensic psychology might wish to consider a more research-focused masters program.

Filed Under: Education & Training, Masters Programs Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
« Older Posts