Program Overview

---

Master of Science in Forensic Psychology

Program Overview

The Master of Science in Forensic Psychology program at American International College is designed for students with a baccalaureate degree who are interested in psychology, criminal behavior, and the criminal justice system. The program is primarily concerned with the application of psychological principles and skills to the understanding of human behavior and the functioning of the legal and criminal justice system.

Learning Outcomes

• Students will develop a solid base of theoretical knowledge of psychological principles and skills they need in order to be able to effectively apply them to the problems that people have in their lives and in their interactions within the legal, correctional, and law enforcement systems.
• Students will develop a current and comprehensive understanding of the functioning of the mental health, legal, correctional, and law enforcement systems.
• Students will develop the ethical commitment and professional interpersonal skills needed to provide quality services to culturally diverse clients and organizations.
• Students will develop forensic practice competencies appropriate for entering the forensic psychology field.

What You'll Learn

With coursework focused on the application of psychological principles and skills to the understanding and functioning of the legal and criminal justice system, you’ll learn to view the service provider role in a broad context, from direct person-to-person intervention, to the production of basic research in areas of human growth and development.

Future Studies

The primary focus of this program is to prepare students for further graduate study, but whether you choose to continue your education or go directly into the workforce, you’ll be academically prepared for success in a growing and evolving field.

Career Opportunities

You’ll be prepared for fields including federal and state governments, the correctional system, police departments, social services and child care agencies, family court, and addiction services and mental health centers. Schools, consulting agencies, and private organizations also offer opportunities in psychology.

Degree Requirements

• Total Credits: 36

Course Descriptions

PSY5036: Applied Behavioral Statistics

This course examines a variety of statistical methods. Students will apply statistical methods to actual human behavioral topics and issues. Coverage includes descriptive statistics: frequencies, percentages, central tendency, variability, graphing, skewness, and kurtosis. Statistical analyses included are probability and inferential statistics, including t-tests (one and two sample), ANOVA, Chi square, Pearson r correlation, and regression. Basic preparation in mathematics is needed.

PSY5110: Legal Systems and Evidence Practices in Forensic Psychology

The course is designed to give an overview of legal principles and practices which provide a framework for forensic psychology and the criminal justice system. An analysis of cases and statutes, pertinent to areas under consideration is emphasized together with instruction in fundamental aspects of legal research. Areas covered include investigation, evidence practices, initial appearance, arraignment, preliminary examination, trial, guilty pleas or conviction, sentence, and release.

PSY5112: Psychological Aspects of the Criminal Mind and Criminal Behavior

In this course, students will study the criminal mind and behavior. A portion of this course will be dedicated to examining and discussing criminal profiling and serial killers. Another important segment of this course will deal with causes of criminal behavior especially related to child abuse, domestic violence, rape, murder, and other violent offenses. Coverage will also include the study of the mind and behaviors of professionals in the courts, corrections, law enforcement, probation, and parole.

PSY5114: Counseling Techniques in Forensic Psychology

The purpose of this course is to provide the student with an understanding of counseling theory and specific skills as they relate to forensic psychology and criminal justice professionals. Topics will include treatment for substance use disorder, anger management, motivational interviewing, cognitive behavioral therapy, and other current subject matter. The focus will be on the use of these skills to as an alternative to incarceration or to reduce recidivism. Emphasis will be placed on rapport development, listening skills, and communication skills. Consideration will be given to problem-solving strategies, decision making, and stress management. Some attention will be given to a review of vocational tests and interest inventories with emphasis on proper interpretation and use of results.

PSY5116: Psychological and Legal Aspects of Interpersonal Violence

A psychological examination of domestic violence and its interaction with forensic psychology and the criminal justice system. Areas of focus include victim advocacy, causative factors, legal issues, substance abuse correlations, and behavior modification programs. Particular emphasis will be placed on in-depth chronic offender profiles.

PSY5118: Ethical Practices in Forensic Psychology

This course is designed to explore various ethical dilemmas in forensic psychology facing criminal justice professionals. Students will examine and discuss the ethical practice for forensic professionals in the courts, corrections, law enforcement, probation, and parole. The content will include applying various theories of moral decision making, including moral rationalism, utilitarianism, and Kant’s categorical imperative to real-life and hypothetical situations confronting the criminal justice practitioner.

PSY5207: Applied Research Methodology and Evaluation

This course examines social science research including evaluative methodologies and strategies, types of research, program evaluation, needs assessments, and ethical and legal considerations. Students will link statistical analysis and research methodology so that students may become a sophisticated research consumer as well as research producer. Understanding research strategy and the logic behind the statistical tests for applied purposes is an underlying theme of the course. This course will allow students to understand the nature of empirical research in developing surveys, educational interventions, program evaluations, and therapeutic strategies.

PSY5316: Theories and Practices in Forensic Psychology

This course will provide students with information about the various forensic activities in which psychologists and other related professionals currently participate. Activities may include competency evaluations, assessment of violent behavior and dangerousness, child abuse
eglect, treatment issues, court testimony, police psychology, and consultation to judges, attorneys, and other law enforcement personnel. Students will obtain information about the numerous roles of professionals in the field of forensic psychology and will develop the skills and knowledge base that will prepare them to continue with specialized training in this area.

PSY5347: Psychopathology: Assessment, Diagnosis, and Treatment

This course includes the identification and diagnosis and mental health treatment planning for abnormal, deviant, or psychopathological behavior and includes assessments and treatment procedures. This course examines disorders in adulthood, adolescence, and childhood with consideration of the relationship between biological, social, psychological, and environmental factors, as well as problems in classification and potential behavior systems. The concepts of normal and abnormal will be explored especially when attempting to understand the behaviors of culturally diverse groups. The symptomatological disorders, including borderline personalities and various phobic and obsessive-compulsive syndromes will be studied. The standards for differential diagnosis will be clarified. Conditions relating to dis-compensation, stress, anxiety, and defense mechanisms will be covered.

PSY5417: Human Growth and Development

This course addresses the physical, cognitive, and social-emotional development across the lifespan for children, adolescents, adults, and the elderly, including a description of behaviors that are present at the various stages and explanations for those behaviors regarding relative contributions of heredity and environment. The major theories of physical, cognitive, affective, and social development across the life span for individuals and families are applied to the understanding of learning, personality development, and mental health counseling practice. The sociocultural and social economic factors that may contribute to a developmental outcome are also considered.

PSY5430: Assessment Techniques in Forensic Psychology

This course will familiarize students with the particulars of forensic assessment and test administration and will deal with techniques of synthesizing and integrating psychological and practical information into an effective forensic report. Emphasis will be placed on formal and informal assessment techniques, presenting problems, presentation of reports, and collaboration with other professionals. Students will develop skills in the assessment and diagnosis of disorders commonly found in forensic settings.

PSY6889: Internship in Forensic Psychology

This course is primarily an off-campus supervised work experience in a forensic setting involving approximately 15 hours per week for an academic semester. All externships are usually undertaken during the final year of the program with approval of the program director. One hour of direct on-site supervision is required and will optimally be provided by a licensed/certified mental health professional. On-campus meetings are also required and are an integral part of the supervision process. All forensic experiences, broadly defined, will be considered as acceptable placements.

Additional Program Notes

The Forensic Psychology program is a non-licensure program. Students from the Forensic Psychology program may transfer equivalent coursework to the Educational Psychology doctoral program at American International College. Graduates of the Forensic Psychology program interested in furthering their education to attain licensure as a mental health counselor in Massachusetts and similar states may apply for the 66 credit Doctoral program in Mental Health Counseling at American International College. The Forensic Psychology program does not meet any licensure requirements in part or whole.