Program Overview

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Master Degree in Forensic Clinical Psychology

General Objectives of the Course

The Master's degree in Forensic Clinical Psychology aims to foster the acquisition of knowledge and the development of skills for practising Psychology in a forensic context. This includes (neuro)psychological assessment and intervention with abusers, victims, and families. The program also seeks to develop scientific research skills necessary to consolidate research in the field of Forensic Psychology.

Admission Requirements

The following are eligible to apply to the Master's degree:

• Holders of a bachelor's degree or its equivalent in Psychology
• Holders of a degree in Psychology by a foreign institution, awarded after a first-cycle study structured according to the principles of the Bologna Process by a participating country
• Holders of a degree by a foreign institution, recognised as fulfilling the objectives of a bachelor's degree in Psychology
• Applicants with a relevant academic or professional CV on Forensic Psychology, recognised as having skills and abilities necessary to undertake a Master's level course

Professional Goals

The program provides access to professional internship tutored by the Portuguese Psychologists Order (OPP) and subsequent registration in that order, mandatory for the exercise of the profession. Graduates can practice in various settings, including:

• Court advisory teams
• Prisons
• Educational centers
• Residential care homes for victims
• Child and youth protection commissions
• National institute of forensic medicine and forensic sciences
• Advisory bodies in the field of road accidents, work, disability due to physical/mental illness
• Intervention entities with families involved in legal issues

Mode of Study

The program is offered in a daytime mode.

Teaching/Evaluation Language

The teaching and evaluation language is Portuguese.

Examination Regulations, Assessment, and Grading

Assessment is a pedagogical activity that aims to establish students' competencies and knowledge. Examples of assessment items include:

• Oral or written exams
• Written or practical work
• Individual and group projects that may require an oral defense
• Class participation Grading is based on a scale of 0 to 20, and a grade of 10 is required to pass.

Learning Objectives and Intended Skills

Upon completion of the Master's degree, students will be able to:

• Analyse a request and plan an appropriate response
• Create a well-reasoned (neuro)psychological assessment protocol
• Develop reports based on the information collected
• Carry out individual/group interventions with victims and abusers
• Perform interventions in the fields of parental dispute and protection of children and young people
• Answer as an expert in legal matters
• Develop research projects to validate assessment tools and to assess the impact of intervention programmes

Course Coordinator(s)

The course coordinators are:

• Madalena Moutinho Alarcão Silva
• Nélio Jesus de Freitas Brasão

ECTS Departmental Coordinator(s)

The ECTS departmental coordinator is:

• Bruno Cecílio de Sousa

Recognition of Prior Learning

Recognition of prior learning is carried out in accordance with the Academic Regulation of the University of Coimbra.

Qualification Requirements and Regulations

The present study cycle gives the master degree according to the principles in DL 74/2006, of March 24, in its current wording, republished in DL 65/2018, of August 16.

Graduation Requirements

To graduate, students must achieve a passing grade in a set of curricular units that amount to a total of 120 ECTS, including the completion and public defense of a dissertation and an internship report.

Access to Further Studies

Graduates can pursue PhD degree studies.

Study Programme

The study programme is designed to provide students with a comprehensive education in Forensic Clinical Psychology.

Academic Year

The academic year is structured into semesters and quarters, with specific start and end dates.

Course Type

The course type is a 2nd Cycle Studies - Continuity Master Programme.

DGES Code

The DGES code is MB85.

Qualification Awarded

The qualification awarded is a Master's degree.

Duration

The duration of the program is 2 years.

ECTS Credits

The program consists of 120 ECTS credits.

Category

The category is Continuity second cycle.

Accreditations

The program is accredited by the Agência de Avaliação e Acreditação do Ensino Superior, with the registration number R/A-Cr 20/2021/AL01.