Master in Arts in Forensic Psychology
Program Requirements
The MA in Forensic Psychology program requires the satisfactory completion of 36 semester credit hours distributed as follows:
- 30 credit hours in core courses
- 6 credit hours in elective courses
All courses are 3 semester credit hours in length.
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Required Courses
Students are required to take 10 general education courses as follows:
This course is an introduction to the study of maladaptive behavior. Etiology and definition of disorders in the DSM-IV will be reviewed. The course also looks at various methods of treatment related to the disorders covered.
This course focuses on the relationship between law and psychology and the mental health system, mental illness, and criminal conduct, with a more specific historical and procedural examination of the practice of psychology in the judicial forum. Substantive issues related to ethics and the law, risk assessment screening, psychological principles applied to law enforcement and correctional functions, and standards of legal competency and insanity are discussed.
This course provides an introduction to personality theories and learning styles in the context of psychological theories of criminal and aggressive behavior. Historical and contemporary theoretical conceptualizations of criminal behavior are explored, including behavioral, social learning, cognitive psychoanalytic, psychodynamic, developmental, biological, and socio-cultural perspectives. Selected topics may be considered including alcohol and crime, sex crimes, juvenile delinquency, and women and crime.
This course offers a broad understanding of group and individual educational and psychometric theories and approaches to appraisal, which also examines data and information gathering methods; validity and reliability; psychometric statistics; factors influencing appraisals; and use of appraisal results in helping processes. Also, the specific ability to administer and interpret tests and inventories to assess abilities, interests, and identify career options is considered.
Studies that provide a basic understanding of types of research are presented: basic statistics, research report development, and research implementation. Other areas studied include program evaluation, needs assessment, publication of research information, and ethical and legal considerations pertinent to the professional counselor.
This course will provide an overview of forensic assessment topics with an emphasis of relevant literature, theory, procedure and tools, including risk assessment, legal competencies and criminal responsibility. Topic areas will include types of intervention with adults and juveniles within the criminal justice setting including special offender populations such as sexual offenders, offenders with developmental disabilities or those classified as mentally retarded.
This course considers the ethical and legal conflicts or dilemmas within the legal system and includes a discussion of other professional issues such as race, ethnicity, and sexual orientation. The course reviews applicable approaches to addressing or resolving these issues, dilemmas, and conflicts as they relate to forensic psychology.
This course presents an intensive study, both theoretical and clinical, of the victim. It concentrates on the psychological impact of physical, sexual, or environmental victimization. Students become familiar with evaluation and treatment issues in working with victims. Also reviewed are the manner in which social, legal, judicial, and treatment systems interact with victims. Special topic areas may include victim populations such as children, domestic violence survivors, and political refugees.
This course examines the practical implications of the professional interface between forensic psychology and organizations such as law enforcement agencies, correctional facilities, and court systems. Specific topics will include consultation among attorneys and criminal justice personnel, triage with correctional and mental health agencies, and issues in providing testimony for criminal and civil cases.
This second-year course provides a forum to examine issues related to students’ field experience or the development of their special topics papers. Students completing the Master’s Thesis produce an original project examining a forensic psychology issue that is a focus of their contribution to the seminar. Field Experience students gain training experience at a forensic setting, which is a focus of their contribution to the seminar.
Elective Requirements
Students are required to complete 2 elective course (6 credit hours).
This course provides an overview of forensic assessment topics, with an emphasis on the literature, theory, procedures, and assessment tools. Specific areas covered may include risk assessment, legal competency, polygraph use and criminal responsibility.
This course utilizes a case study approach to explore the development and analysis of forensic treatment and evaluation programs. This course will focus on the application of a scientific/empirical model to examine the elements necessary for adequate program design and analysis of forensic programs.
This course reviews key concepts to substance abuse counseling, including theoretical models for understanding and treating chemically dependent clients. Various screening and assessment tools, drug history, and interviewing skills are reviewed to help students assess the severity of addiction and develop an initial treatment plan. Treatment settings and interventions commonly used with chemically dependent clients are reviewed.
This course familiarizes the student with the following five areas: etiology and developmental issues of sex offense behavior; sex offender assessment; sex offender treatment interventions; criminal and legal issues related to sex offending; and program evaluation, treatment efficacy, and issues related to recidivism.
This course focuses on acquainting students with the science of psychological profiling through the use of research and case examples. Methods of psychological profiling will be discussed, as well as the strengths, weaknesses, and criticisms of profiling.
This course reviews the role of psychology and mental health professionals in correctional settings. Students will become familiar with a number of services that correctional mental health professionals provide, as well with general prison/jail security procedures. The study of correctional mental health services will include: conducting intake assessments, providing crisis intervention services, psychiatric services for mentally ill inmates, psychological treatment of emotional disturbance, rehabilitation of offenders, case management, and preparation for release within jail and prison settings. Additionally, the following areas related to general custody procedure will be reviewed: inmate classification, training and coordination with the multidisciplinary staff of jails and prisons, procedures and general security practices. This course will also provide an overview of correctional program development and evaluation.
This course examines the current practices and techniques of interviewing and interrogation. Students will get a comprehensive understanding of the historical precedents set in this ever-changing field. The application of interviewing and interrogation is prevalent in a vast array of forensic settings including criminal investigations, psychological autopsies, behavioral analysis, workplace violence investigations, and military applications. The goal of interviewing and interrogation regardless of setting is information solicitation. Students will learn about the current practices and techniques of soliciting information which are most accepted by the relevant scientific community. Specific areas to be covered include learning the difference between interviewing and interrogation, interpretation of verbal and physical behavior, memory and false confessions, causes of denial, why people confess, how best to use evidence in the interrogation, psychological theoretical models of confession, and legal aspects. This course will also focus on the ethical considerations involved in interviewing and interrogation.
The basic theories, principles, and techniques of counseling, as well as applications to a variety of therapeutic settings, are explored. This course also focuses on personal theory construction, bias embedded in theory, and cultural diversity.
A fundamental study of the helping relationship is provided. The course provides a broad understanding of philosophic bases of helping processes: counseling theories and their application, basic advanced helping skills, consultation theories and their application, client and helper self-understanding and self-development, and facilitation of client change.
This course provides a broad understanding of group development,
dynamics, and counseling theories. Group leadership styles are
discussed, in addition to basic and advanced group counseling
methods and skills. Several different approaches to conducting
group counseling are reviewed.
Prerequisite: (OC) PC6104
* Additional electives might be added. Not all electives are available at all campuses.
Forensic Psychology Seminar Requirements
This seminar will include students that are either completing field experience or who wish to conduct a review of a special topic in the field of forensic psychology. During the end of the first year of study, the student will determine with their advisor if they will select a Forensic Field Experience or a Special Topics Paper. Students completing the Special Topics Paper review an issue related to forensic psychology that becomes the focus of their contribution to the seminar. Field Experience students gain training in a forensic setting which becomes the focus of their contribution to the seminar.
Graduation Requirements
To be eligible for graduation in the MA in Forensic Psychology program, students must be the following requirements:
- Satisfactory completion of 36 credit hours by the end of
the fourth year of matriculation. The total credit hours
must include:
- 30 credit hours of required core courses
- 6 credit hours of elective courses - Successful completion of the field placement or Special Topics Paper
- Successful completion of the Comprehensive Examination
- Grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.0 (on a scale of 4.0)
- Completion of all requirements within five years of matriculation into the program
- A completed Petition to Graduate submitted to campus administration
