Equips psychology postgraduates with the skills necessary to work with mentally ill offenders. Emphasis on evidence-based and reflective practice. Exceptional clinical and research training from a distinguished multidisciplinary team. Ideal step towards chartered forensic or clinical psychology training. Placement two days per week in a clinical forensic setting.
KEY BENEFITS
- BPS accredited to 2016
- Unique focus on mentally disordered offenders.
- Students undertake a 75-day clinical forensic placement.
KEY FACTS
Student destinations
Students have used the MSc as evidence of professional development and commitment in applying for training posts in clinical or forensic psychology.
Programme leader/s
Dr Susan Young
Accreditation
Accredited by the Division of Forensic Psychology, British Psychological Society.
Awarding Institution
King's College London
Credit value (UK/ECTS equivalent)
UK 180/ECTS 90
Duration
One year FT, September to September.
Location
Denmark Hill Campus; placements take place at various locations.
Year of entry 2013
Offered by
Institute of Psychiatry
Department of Forensic & Neurodevelopmental Sciences
Closing date
18 March 2013.
Intake
No set number. Unlikely to exceed 15 FT.
Fees
FT Home: £7900 (2013)
FT Overseas: £22000 (2013)
CONTACTS
Contact information
MSc Co-ordinator, 020 7848 0624
Email
Website
PURPOSE
Designed to give psychologists the advanced knowledge and skills to conduct clinical work in forensic psychology, with an emphasis on evidence-based and reflective practice. Students have exceptional opportunities for clinical and research training while on the programme, building on intensive and wide-ranging theoretical teaching from a distinguished multi-disciplinary team.
DESCRIPTION
This MSc programme offers students the theoretical and research grounding needed for a career as a chartered forensic psychologist. It also provides clinical forensic experience to help students proceed to the next stage of their careers in this demanding field. We believe this to be the only MSc programme in the UK which focuses on the clinical aspects of forensic psychology.
The placement is a distinctive feature of this programme. On enrolment, students are allocated to a clinical forensic placement which they attend for 75 days throughout the year, ie two days a week. Placements have been arranged at a range of settings, including Broadmoor Hospital and in medium/low secure units in various locations in London, Surrey, Sussex and Kent. Students work on a research project which is usually supervised by the Placement Supervisor or a placement colleague.
All other teaching is at the Institute of Psychiatry, and includes training on assessment and treatment of mentally disordered offenders and on actuarial risk assessment tools (HCR-20 and PCL:SV). Throughout the programme there is an emphasis on the clinical relevance of research findings. Much teaching is provided by practising clinicians.
STRUCTURE OVERVIEW
Core programme content
- Associations between mental disorders and antisocial and criminal behaviours
- Risk management, treatment and services for mentally disordered persons
- Research Methodology and Statistics
- Psychology of the Legal & Investigative Process
- Practice in Forensic Psychology (including forensic clinical placement)
- Dissertation.
FORMAT AND ASSESSMENT
Taught modules: seminars assessed by essays or unseen examination; placement module assessed by case studies/essays and evaluation from placement supervisor; research dissertation.
MODULES
More information on typical programme modules.
NB it cannot be guaranteed that all modules are offered in any particular academic year.
Module code: 7PAFCRES
Credit level: 7
The dissertation is intended to assess students' ability to conduct research in real world settings. It involves the selection of a researchable problem, the design of a study that addresses the problem, appropriate analyses and the evaluation of the adequacy and usefulness of the solution. Practical implications for professionals working in the field of study should be identified and expanded upon where appropriate. The dissertation may consist of new analyses of data collected to address a clearly specified research question. Alternatively students may collect new data of their own or conduct secondary data analysis or meta-analyses. Dissertations that consist solely of reviews of the literature and contain no new analyses of data will not be acceptable. The dissertation should be between 10,000 and 15,000 words in length.
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
Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) with the British Psychological Society (BPS). Psychology degree (minimum 2:1). Applicants should also have a minimum of one year's clinical or forensic experience. Students who are applying from outside the UK, or who do not have a BPS accredited degree in Psychology, must check with the BPS to see if they qualify for GBC. To apply for GBC, download the form at www.bps.org.uk. The application process should take two to three weeks.
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 should be received in full by the deadline. Shortlisted applicants will be called for interview in April or May 2013. The interview panel will comprise the programme leader, a placement provider and an academic colleague. Applicants will be required to make a short research presentation.
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/forensic and one academic. Please state explicitly that you have graduate basis for chartered membership (GBC) and provide evidence. Offers will be subject to obtaining satisfactory CRB clearance.
PERSONAL STATEMENT & SUPPORTING INFORMATION
No information required, but we do expect applicants to provide us with evidence that they have the necessary experience and academic background to cope with this very demanding programme.
FUNDING
Self-funded.
Student profiles
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.
Staff profiles
Clinical Forensic Psychology MSc
It has been with great pleasure and pride that we have set up the full-time MSc in Clinical Forensic Psychology. An innovative aspect of this MSc is its focus on mentally disordered offenders, particularly the interface between mentally disordered and/or psychologically vulnerable individuals and the police service and legal process. The programme represents an excellent opportunity to learn and understand the needs and requirements of this difficult and demanding population.
For many years I have worked in forensic services providing a forensic clinical psychology service to offenders with mental illness and/or mental disorder. As a Chartered Clinical and Forensic Psychologist, I recognise the important contribution of both disciplines in the rehabilitation and management of persons who present both mental disorders and a history of criminal offending and/or repetitive aggressive behaviour towards others.
We are fortunate to have excellent collaborative links with forensic services in the South East. In particular, we benefit from the long association between the Institute of Psychiatry and the renowned South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust. Furthermore, the Institute of Psychiatry is acknowledged across the world as a centre of excellence, and offers students the opportunity to develop specialist interests by attending open lectures provided by members of the Institute and esteemed visiting lecturers.
The programme is designed to deliver 'the best for the best'. We have been granted accreditation by the British Psychological Society until 2015 which will indicate that students have achieved the recognised academic standards of professional competence to practise independently.