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Master’s Degree in Forensic Psychology @ Maastricht University

March 26, 2012 By Comments

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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.

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Masters Degree Programs in Forensic Psychology

January 20, 2012 By Comments

 

This article provides a review and summary of various graduate programs offering masters degrees in forensic psychology. There appears to be five fully online masters programs in forensic psychology and at least 13 different campus-based masters programs in forensic psychology. Each of these is reviewed and summarized to provide relevant information to those interested in pursuing graduate education in the field of forensic psychology.

Online Masters Degree in Forensic Psychology

Last year I reviewed and summarized five fully online masters programs in forensic psychology (four of which are based in the United States and one of which is based in the United Kingdom). Each of these programs appears to have its various strengths and weaknesses as well as differences in tuition costs.

For an easy comparison chart of these five programs, please click here.

For summaries and reviews of each of these programs, please click the relevant link below:

The Chicago School of Professional Psychology

University of North Dakota

Argosy University

Walden University

University of Liverpool

Campus-Based Master Degree in Forensic Psychology

Although there are a few programs where students can complete a Masters in Clinical Psychology or a Masters in Experimental Psychology with a concentration on psychology and law, there are also about thirteen programs that offer Masters Degrees in Forensic Psychology.

I have summarized each of these programs with respect to their program description, coursework, tuition, and whether or not a thesis and/or clinical practicum work is required or available as part of the program.

For a summary of the relevant program, please click the links below:

American International College

Arizona State University

The Chicago School of Professional Psychology

College of Saint Elizabeth

Fairleigh Dickinson University

Holy Names University

John Jay College of Criminal Justice

Marymount University

Massachusetts School of Professional Psychology

New York Law School

Roger Williams University

University of Denver

University of North Dakota

Career Profiles and Information

If you are already in a masters or doctoral program in forensic psychology or just want more information on careers in forensic psychology, check out the rest of this site as there are a bunch of articles on career opportunities in forensic psychology as well as a bunch of great career profiles prominent individuals in the forensic psychology arena. Enjoy!

Image courtesy of helpingpsychology.com

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Master’s Degree in Forensic Psychology @ University of Denver

January 20, 2012 By Comments

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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.

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Master’s Degree in Forensic Psychology @ Roger Williams University

January 18, 2012 By Comments

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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

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

January 6, 2012 By Comments

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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.

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Master’s Degree in Forensic Psychology @ Holy Names University

November 17, 2011 By Comments

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ent/uploads/2011/11/holynames.jpg” alt=”" width=”127″ height=”96″ />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 – Holy Names University

Program Description

From the website: Holy Names University offers six graduate programs in the Counseling Psychology Programs for persons who want to work professionally as counselors in a variety of venues, including forensic and pastoral. Students will gain the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively counsel, fully acknowledging the diverse dimensions of people’s lives. The faculty is made up of practicing clinicians, and students are exposed to a wide variety of counseling theories with an integrated, programmatic emphasis on human diversity and spirituality. Classes incorporate didactic learning with opportunities for experiential practice via written exercises, case studies, and simulations. Integration of learning is fostered by scholarly papers and reflection journals. At the end of the program, students will be able to demonstrate clinical competence and clear understanding of professional responsibilities.

Our students reflect a rich diversity of age, culture, religion, lifestyles, and lived experiences. Holy Names Counseling programs are appropriate for individuals whose own levels of personal and psychological development enable them to have high regard for all human beings, especially those different from themselves. All programs are dedicated to fostering student development of openness and respect for all people. We firmly believe that valuing differences is a hallmark of effective, compassionate counseling. All three programs are designed for the working adult. Most classes are offered in the late afternoons and evenings.

Master of Arts in Forensic Psychology (30 units)

This program, designed for those who may be licensed, prepares professionals for a career in working with victims and perpetrators in a correctional setting. This program is uniquely based in a foundational philosophy of restorative justice. Students will gain theoretical knowledge of the counseling field as it relates to corrections and the legal system, in general. Students completing this program are not eligible for state licensure as Marriage and Family therapists.

Specializations

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

Credits

The program consists of 30 credit units.

Designed for the working adult, most classes are offered late afternoons and evenings, Mondays and Wednesdays or Tuesdays and Thursdays. Some Saturday classes are required.

Thesis

Not required. It does not appear that completing a thesis is an option in this program.

Externship/Practicum

Not required. Students do not have the option for an externship or field placement in this program. The website and brochure materials indicate that this Masters program is intended for the working adult and for those who may be licensed clinicians. The intent of this program is to provide a foundation of knowledge for working with clients in forensic settings. Students who do not have clinical experience may be interested in completing the dual MA degree in Counseling and Forensic Psychology.

Admission Requirements

Applicant to any counseling psychology master’s program must have taken an undergraduate general psychology or sociology course or have life experience working in the community mental health field.

From the website: Applicants must meet the following minimum requirements: (1) A bachelor’s degree or its equivalent, conferred by an accredited institution of higher education. (2) An undergraduate record that is satisfactory in terms of quality of scholarship. A scholarship average of 2.7 is required for the total undergraduate program, with an average of 3.0 in the major and in any subsequent graduate work.

The GRE does not appear to be required.

Tuition & Fees

In-State Residents

$800/unit

Out-of-State Residents

$800/unit

Coursework

Required Coursework (30 units)

CPSY 200 Foundations of Counseling: Process and Skills
CPSY 206 Forensic Psychology and the Law
CPSY 207 Psychology of Criminal Behavior
CPSY 208 Substance Abuse Assessment & Treatment
CPSY 209A Assessment, Diagnosis, & Treatment of the Victim
CPSY 209B Assessment, Diagnosis, & Treatment of the Offender
CPSY 211 Forensics: Psychometrics and Assessment
CPSY 212 Forensic Psychology Professional Practice Seminar
CPSY 226 Advanced Issues in Correctional and Community Counseling
CPSY 230 Human Diversity in Counseling
CPSY 245D Domestic Violence Assessment and Treatment

Concluding Comments

This masters program is intended to prepare students for working with victims and perpetrators. It is geared towards those students who have undergraduate degrees in psychology and who are currently working in the field but who would like more knowledge and skill for working various legal and correctional settings. The program is geared towards the working adult who is already licensed and does not lead to licensure eligibility. Those students who are not licensed or who require clinical experience should consider the dual MA degree in Counseling Psychology and Forensic Psychology as the dual program offers practical experience whereas this program does not. Given the limited fieldwork involved in this program, it does not appear to be the most appropriate program for those with no experience working with clients or patients in a psychological or counseling capacity. In addition, this program does not emphasize research and provides no opportunity to conduct research; therefore, those desiring to continue on to doctoral-level training in psychology are advised against taking this masters degree program. This program appears to offer an important knowledge base for those students and licensed clinicians whose work will require them to provide services to victims and perpetrators in a variety of forensic settings.

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