Aims to produce expert clinicians in the field of forensic mental health. Exceptional opportunities for clinical and research training with a distinguished multidisciplinary team. Clinical attachments can be arranged for overseas students on this pathway to complement the academic programme.
KEY BENEFITS
- Aims to produce expert clinicians in the field of forensic mental health.
- Excellent links with clinical services and researchers.
- Wide range of optional modules and flexible structure, leading to PG Diploma/MSc depending on modules chosen.
KEY FACTS
Student destinations
Students complete further study or research or go on to work in the National Health Service. Students have used the MSc as evidence of professional development and commitment in applying for promotion posts (eg moving from SpR to consultant, becoming a Nurse Consultant) or training posts in clinical or forensic psychology.
Programme leader/s
Dr Shubulade Smith
Awarding Institution
King's College London
Credit value (UK/ECTS equivalent)
MSc UK 180/ECTS 90; PG Dip 120/ECTS 60
Duration
One year FT (overseas applicants only), two years PT, September to September.
Location
Denmark Hill Campus.
Year of entry 2013
Offered by
Institute of Psychiatry
Department of Forensic & Neurodevelopmental Sciences
Closing date
28 June 2013.
Intake
Up to 5 FT overseas students; no set number for UK-based PT students
Fees
PT Home: £3950 (2013)
PT Overseas: £11000 (2013)
FT Home: £7900 (2013)
FT Overseas: £22000 (2013)
CONTACTS
Contact information
MSc Co-ordinator, tel 020 7848 0624.
Email
Website
PURPOSE
Designed for candidates with at least one year's experience of psychiatry (SHO, SpR, consultant) or psychology (with, or working towards, chartered psychologist status with the British Psychological Society) and other clinicians (eg nurses) with professional accreditation, or with an overseas qualification or experience of an equivalent standard.
DESCRIPTION
The programme aims to produce expert clinicians in forensic mental health. Students will develop the critical skills necessary to assess and manage risk of antisocial and criminal behaviour and to establish, manage and evaluate programmes for reducing such behaviour as well as co-ordinating treatment and service programmes in a variety of settings.
Students will take two compulsory modules and will then choose from a range of optional modules, including mental health law, risk assessment, prison mental health, specialist secure mental health care and expert evidence. The final award will depend on the number of credits earned:
- 120 credits - PG Diploma
- 180 credits, including dissertation - MSc
Part-time students wishing to proceed to the MSc should discuss their plans with the Progamme Leader during year 1.
STRUCTURE OVERVIEW
Core programme content
- Associations between mental disorders and antisocial behaviours and criminal offending.
- Risk management, treatment and services for mentally disordered persons.
- Dissertation (compulsory for MSc).
Indicative non-core content
Two optional modules to be chosen from the following (all subject to confirmation):
- Structured Professional Risk Assessment and Management
- Criminal Justice Mental Health
- Mental Health Law
- Developmental Disorders (learning disability, ADHD, autism).
FORMAT AND ASSESSMENT
All modules except dissertation assessed by essays/case reports and in some cases oral presentations. Dissertation - 10,000 words.
MODULES
More information on typical programme modules.
NB it cannot be guaranteed that all modules are offered in any particular academic year.
Module code: 7PAFFRES
Credit level: 7
The educational aims of this module is to carry out a comprehensive meta-analysis of 10,000 words. At the end of the modules the students will be able to: undertake a small piece of empirical research; demonstrate advanced skills in research, critical appraisal, report writing.
At the end of this module, students will have the knowledge and understanding to undertake: an independent evaluation of research publications, journal articles, clinical guidance and other factors which influence clinical decision-making in forensic mental health; advanced critical evaluation skills; development of advanced research skills.
Students will develop independent thought and ability to complete advanced literature searches together with analysis and interpretation of research and practice, as well as an ability to develop advanced an authoritative argument, and understand and analyse all the risk, ethical and clinical issues involved.
In terms of practical skills, students develop: research skills. presentation skills, critical appraisal skills, and problem solving in the field of forensic mental health and the interpretation of extant relevant scientific literature
Assessment is by a 10,000-word dissertation, which accounts for 100% of the final grade for this module
Module code: 7PAFCRIS
Credit level: 7
In this module students will review: recent discussions in the scientific and clinical literatures concerning the reasons for assessing risk of future violent behaviour; recent findings concerning the validity of various strategies for assessing risk of violent behaviour among persons with mental disorders recent empirical findings concerning the impact of treatment programmes and components of treatment and services on reducing violent and antisocial behaviours and criminal offending among persons with mental disorders.
The objectives of this module are to: gain an understanding of the assessment and treatment of mentally disordered offenders; gain an understanding of the evidence base for psychological and biological treatments for mentally disordered offenders, including those with diagnoses of psychotic disorders and personality disorder; gain an understanding of methodological issues that impact on the interpretation of results of the literature reviewed above; gain an understanding of the organisation of forensic mental health services and how these services can be evaluated; prepare students to be able to critically review new publications on treatment interventions in mentally disordered offenders
Assessment will take the form of an essay, requiring the student to review required readings and lecture notes and provide written answers of 1500 - 2,500 words.
ACADEMIC ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
General entry advice
Open to experienced practising clinicians working with forensic patients, eg psychiatrists (ST4+, staff grade, consultants), chartered psychologists, experienced mental health nurses, occupational therapists and social workers. Minimum 2:1 (or overseas equivalent) in first degree or equivalent in a relevant subject. If you do not meet the normal entry requirements, please provide evidence of potential to succeed at graduate level. This might include publications, preparation of substantial reports or active participation in research.
APPLYING TO KING'S
To apply for graduate study at King's you will need to complete our graduate online application form. Applying online makes applying easier and quicker for you, and means we can receive your application faster and more securely.
King's does not normally accept paper copies of the graduate application form as applications must be made online. However, if you are unable to access the online graduate application form, please contact the relevant admissions/School Office at King's for advice.
APPLICATION PROCEDURE
Applications from non-EU students: we aim to process these as soon as possible after receipt of all information required.
Applications from Home/EU students: assessed at a selection meeting in early July.
Applicants are not normally interviewed but occasionally an applicant may be telephoned invited in for an informal chat to clarify points arising from the application, and to ensure that the applicant is clear about what would be involved in taking this programme.
No application can be considered until full details of academic and employment history are received, including transcripts and copies of degree certificates. We also require two references, one clinical and one academic, or two clinical where at least one referee can comment on the applicant's research/report-writing skills.
It is essential for UK-based applicants to ensure that they will have adequate study leave to attend teaching and undertake the considerable amount of private study required to complete the programme successfully. Applicants will be asked to confirm this before places can be offered.
PERSONAL STATEMENT & SUPPORTING INFORMATION
No information required, but we do expect applicants to make full use of Sections 3, 5 and 8 (education, employment details and personal statement) to provide us with evidence that they have the necessary experience and academic background to cope with this very demanding programme.
FUNDING
Most applicants are self-funded. Some overseas applicants have been successful in obtaining government funding or international scholarships. Part-time applicants are sometimes able to secure full or partial funding from employers using CPD budgets.
Related programme student profile
Clinical Forensic Psychology MSc
The IoP was a place I was really keen to study at when I was doing my undergraduate degree at King's. It's hugely inspirational that many people here are world leading experts in their fields and the students are all of such high quality.
I'm doing this MSc as a preparatory year before I begin a PhD in September. My PhD will be broadly on the topic of clinical forensic psychology, so this course fitted perfectly as an introduction to the topic.
The course includes a 75 day clinical placement where students take the role of honorary assistant psychologist two days a week. This aspect was a big attraction as I have aspirations to complete a doctorate in clinical psychology after my PhD studies. The clinical placement so far has been a fantastic experience, allowing me to see first-hand how a secure forensic psychiatric service operates. This placement has been complemented by excellent teaching which translates directly to the work I do.
I now have a place to complete a 3 year PhD with the Biomedical Research Centre at the IoP for which I will be collecting data at Broadmoor Hospital looking to identify biomarkers of treatment outcomes in mentally disordered violent offenders. Following this, I hope to train as a clinical psychologist.