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MSc - Psychology: Legal and Criminological

If you have a background in psychology, sociology or criminology, this MSc course is ideal for gaining insight into Legal and Criminological Psychology. You'll develop comprehensive knowledge and an understanding of a broad range of topics in forensic settings.

We will look at ways to work with prison populations, explore the criminal justice system and you'll have the chance to examine practice and research from theoretical perspectives.

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Course Overview

On this programme, you can build on your existing learning experiences to advance your academic and professional development in a stimulating and challenging environment. You will gain specialised knowledge and a critical awareness of issues in Legal and Criminological Psychology. You'll cover the application of psychology to forensic and legal issues.

Teaching is done through a variety of blended learning and campus-based activities explicitly designed to meet the needs of learners working in a range of contexts.

On this course you will...

  • Be able to explore and apply psychological literature to current issues, contexts and experiences around legal and criminological settings.
  • Be given high quality support and guidance by our lecturing team who are active in their research and practice.
  • Learn valuable transferrable skills in PG research, which are highly sought after by employers.
  • Have the opportunity to choose topics and areas that you want to learn more about to tailor your learning experience.
  • Have the opportunity to shape your MSc experience to your own interests and career goals, allowing our team to help you to reach your ideal future career.
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Course Structure

What you will learn

The Psychology: Legal and Criminological course provides a set of modules that will enhance specialist subject knowledge and key skills for working in the criminal justice system, all delivered by subject specialists. It is designed to build on your existing learning experiences and offers flexible learning opportunities to improve your career prospects.

The main aim of the course is to provide students with the opportunity to develop comprehensive knowledge and understanding of a broad range of topics in criminological and legal psychology. Theoretical and practical issues pertinent to those working in legal settings will be examined critically. All MSc Psychology: Legal and Criminological learners will be required to have undertaken the following core modules: Research Skills and Methods (20 credits), Professional Values and Ethics (20 credits) Negotiated Learning (20 credits), and a Dissertation (60 credits). You will also be required to complete three compulsory modules: Interpersonal Violence and Abuse (20 credits), Criminal Psychology, Offending Behaviour and the Criminal Justice System (20 credits), and Working with Specialist Populations in Forensic Psychology Settings (20 credits).

Modules
  • Research Skills and Methods
    Introduction to a range of qualitative and quantitative methodology. You will be trained in the methods required to design and execute an empirical study, ways to keep the methodology scientific and other research design issues.
  • Criminal Psychology, Offending Behaviour and the Criminal Justice System
    Develop your knowledge and understanding of the UK justice and prison services, including the roles and functions of the courts, police, probation, and secure NHS services.
  • Working with Specialist Populations in Forensic Psychology Settings
    Gain a comprehensive and detailed knowledge and understanding of working with adults, children and young people within specialist populations.
  • Professional Values and Ethics
    Engage in a series of critical debates; providing you with a knowledge and understanding of a number of ethical and practice issues that you may face within the workplace.
  • Interpersonal Violence and Abuse
    Learn to distinguish between differing forms of interpersonal violence, to critically assess theories of violence produced within Cultural Studies, Criminology, Political Science, Philosophy and Psychology to help improve our understanding of the impact of violence and abuse.
  • Negotiated learning
    Undertake an independent piece of work to develop your specialist knowledge and expertise in an area that is pertinent to your chosen pathway.
  • Dissertation
    An independent project that provides the opportunity to demonstrate your competence in critically reviewing, synthesising and drawing conclusions from the literature and research.

Attend an Open Day at Cumbria

An Open Day is your opportunity to explore one of 5 campuses, meet your lecturers, and find out how the University of Cumbria could become your new home.

Take the next step towards achieving your dreams.
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