This Masters degree is aimed at students who are currently employed in/or who desire to be employed in, a forensic setting, for example:
- prisons
- secure hospitals
- Ministry of Justice
- Police Force
- courts.
The programme is designed to provide students with a combination of applied and research skills core to work in a forensic setting. The Programme Team consists of forensic practitioners and academics who each have considerable experience working within a range of forensic contexts in the UK and USA. The MSc is aligned with the Sexual Crimes and Misconduct Research Unit (SOCAMRU) at NTU, which includes active researchers currently engaged in collaborative work with:
- HM Prison Service
- National Health Service (NHS)
- High Secure Hospitals
- Police Service
- Federal Bureau Investigation (FBI).
Open days
Further details of open days for this course can be found on our School events page.
Please note the following information for applicants
MSc Forensic Mental Health course content
During this postgraduate course students will study selected modules specially designed to impart theoretical knowledge, research and practical skills.
Modules include:
- Core Mental Health Theory
- Explanations of Crime, Criminal Behaviour and Victimology
- Contemporary Issues in Mental Health
- Qualitative Research Design and Analysis
- Advanced Mental Health Theory
- Assessment, Formulation and Treatment of Offenders and Victims
- Research Project / Theoretical Dissertation
- Research and Professional Skills OR Advanced Experimentation and Statistics or Psychometrics.
Study and Support
The course is delivered through lectures, interactive workshops, small-group teaching and individual project supervision. You'll be expected to engage in independent study and will have access to the facilities within the department and the University's virtual learning environment.
Assessment
The taught programme is supported by a team of approachable staff and will be delivered through lectures, workshops and small reflective practice groups. Assessments will be diverse in format and will include examinations; essays; oral presentations; professional reports; and a research project. All staff teaching on the course are research-active in their field of interest and students will have access to the extensive facilities within the Division of Psychology and the University's Virtual Learning Environment (VLE). For individuals who do not wish to complete the MSc, a postgraduate certificate in Forensic Mental Health will be offered.
Psychology resources and facilities
The University has made significant financial investment in the Psychology Division over recent years upgrading accommodation, facilities and equipment used exclusively for the provision of our psychology courses and for research. We have a state-of-the-art undergraduate teaching laboratory suite opened in 2006, and a further phase of development, opened in 2007, includes a second teaching laboratory specifically catering for postgraduate students.
In addition there are specialist suites dedicated to particular areas of interest in psychology, including:
- social interaction, group work and interviewing
- computer gaming and cyberpsychology
- eye-tracking
- cognitive modelling and visual analysis
- psychophysiology.
Alongside these are new flexible cubicles for student project work, a psychometric test bank library, and a technical workshop.
Your future career in forensic mental health
The MSc Forensic Mental Health programme would be ideally suited to individuals who are currently employed or seek employment as a forensic nurse; prison officer/governor; secure hospital employee; mental health worker; criminal justice worker; barrister or solicitor who work in the area of mental health law; researcher; and individuals in law enforcement.
Entry requirements
- You will need an undergraduate degree (minimum 2.2) in Psychology or an allied discipline such as social science, nursing, or law or other recognised equivalent qualification.
- Applicants without such qualifications will be considered but will be required to demonstrate how their experiences would enable them to study this course at HE M Level in their Personal Statement.
- One academic or vocational reference is required.
English language entry requirements
See the English language entry requirements for courses at the School of Social Sciences and a full list of all English language qualifications accepted by the University.
Scholarships
The School of Social Sciences' Scholarship scheme provides a number of awards to students on taught Masters Programmes. For further information visit our fees and funding section.
Open days
The School of Social Sciences holds open events throughout the year. Come along and learn more about our courses, speak to programme leaders and find out about studying with the School. To find out more about these events visit the School of Social Sciences website.
How to apply
Click the 'Apply online' button at the top of the page to complete your application
As places are limited you are encouraged to submit your application as early as possible to avoid disappointment. The course starts in September 2012 so in order to receive enrolment materials in good time we advise that applications are submitted before the end of July 2012. Applications can still be made after that date but you may encounter some difficulties in negotiating the necessary admissions processes in time for a September start. Please allow additional processing time for international applications from countries that require a visa.
