Programme Specification

Transcription

1 Programme Specification Title: Forensic Psychology Final Award: Master of Science (MSc) With Exit Awards at: Postgraduate Certificate (PG Cert) Postgraduate Diploma (PG Dip) Master of Science (MSc) To be delivered from: Level Date Masters or Postgraduate Certificate (PG Cert) Masters or Postgraduate Diploma (PG Dip) Masters or Master of Science (MSc) Page 1/19

2 Table Of Contents 1. Introduction Basic Programme Data Programme Description Overview Aims and Objectives Variations to Standard Regulations and Guidance Programme Outcomes Knowledge and Understanding Subject Specific Intellectual Skills Subject Specific Practical Skills Transferable Skills and Attributes Learning, Teaching and Assessment Strategies Learning and Teaching Strategy Assessment Strategy Programme Structure Appendix I - Curriculum Map Appendix II - Assessment Map Appendix III - Benchmark Analysis Appendix IV - Benchmark Statements(s) Page 2/19

3 1. Introduction This document describes one of the University of Lincoln's programmes using the protocols required by the UK National Qualifications Framework as defined in the publication QAA guidelines for preparing programme specifications. This programme operates under the policy and regulatory frameworks of the University of Lincoln. Page 3/19

4 2. Basic Programme Data Final Award: Programme Title: Exit Awards and Titles Master of Science (MSc) Forensic Psychology Postgraduate Certificate (PG Cert) Postgraduate Diploma (PG Dip) Master of Science (MSc) Subject(s) Psychology Mode(s) of delivery Full Time Part Time Is there a Placement or Exchange? UCAS code Awarding Body Campus(es) School(s) Programme Leader Relevant Subject Benchmark Statements Professional, Statutory or Regulatory Body Accreditation No University of Lincoln Lincoln Campus Programme Start Date School Of Psychology Todd Hogue (THogue) British Psychological Society (BPS) Page 4/19

5 3. Programme Description 3.1 Overview 3.2 Aims and Objectives Educational aims of the programme: The MSc in Forensic Psychology aims to produce students who are critical and independent thinkers with specialist knowledge and understanding of the criminal justice system, theories of offending behaviour, and the assessments and interventions applicable to different groups in forensic settings including, children, victims and offenders. They should be able to apply this knowledge to the analysis of the relevant issues and syntheses the findings in an evaluation of critical issues in forensic psychology. This means that students have a sound understanding and be able to analyse, synthesis and apply that understanding relating to: the legal framework and criminal justice system as applied to forensic psychology to ethical and professional considerations of forensic psychology practice processes within the criminal justice system including processes of investigation, the legal process, detention, through care and aftercare working with different offender groups including adults and children, covering a theoretical understanding of what works and the appropriate assessments and interventions to use with different groups. the impact of victimisation on different groups (including children and adults) including the appropriate assessments and interventions. different approaches to assessment, professional report production and the giving of expert testimony within forensic settings applying consultation, project management and organisational skills and interventions as applicable within different forensic settings and with different client groups. developing a full range of research skills enabling the individual to undertake a substantial piece of empirical research and to report about these issues in an informed and systematic manner at a level that makes it possible to submit their report to a peer reviewed journal the employ a range of transferable skills, such as the ability to communicate effectively, to manage their time efficiently, and to make appropriate use of information technology; Internal context: The MSc in Forensic Psychology is one of two MSc s developed by the Department of Psychology that are starting in These two courses have been developed with shared modules to maximise recourse utilization and shared teaching. The move towards developing an increased provision of postgraduate programmes is consistent with the Strategic Plan for the University related to increasing postgraduate and research provision. The MSc in Forensic also sits within the context of related programmes within the University including the DClinPsych and programmes offered within Forensic Science. Students on the MSc in Forensic Psychology have the possibility to link with the activities of the Psychology Department including professional and technical expertise including potentially having access to the Lincoln Baby Lab, with, e.g., preferential looking, act-out and preferential listening facilities, an Eye-Tracker Lab with a dual Purkinje eye-tracker and three Tobii eye trackers, an EEG/ERP Lab with a 64 channel EEG/ERP system, a Psychophysics Lab with a ViSaGe visual stimulus generator with an inbuilt eye tracker, three general-purpose staff labs, eight testing rooms that are primarily available for undergraduate students but which can be booked by staff and postgraduate students, and an observation room with a one-way mirror. Page 5/19

6 Other facilities include a psychological test library, a video library, an equipment office with digital video camera s, audio equipment, and laptops. As part of the Department s research infrastructure there is research support from one programmer (supporting experimental work), two lab technicians (e.g. building and assisting with experimental set-ups), and a subject librarian (maintaining the journal-stock, book-stock, and electronic databases). External context: The MSc in Forensic Psychology responds to the accreditation requirements of the British Psychological Society. Provision of the professional input into the courses done in conjunction with individuals working locally in applied forensic settings provide contacts with Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS trust, Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust and HM Prison Service. All research and practical work within the programme will be carried out within a clearly defined ethical framework as specified in the ethical standards and guidelines provided by the BPS, the University of Lincoln, and the Departmental Ethics Policy). In addition, the programme takes full account of equality and diversity issues. The current Department of Psychology statement on ethics is attached as appendix 1. Information on ethics related to the British Psychological Society can be seen obtained on: BPS Guidelines for Minimum Standards of Ethical Approval in Psychological Research 3-DFD0-7E3D-E2B3AEFCACDE&ext=pdf Conducting Research on the Internet: Guidelines for ethical practice in psychological research online (2007) 3-DFD0-7E5A-4BE3FDD763CC&ext=pdf 3.3 Variations to Standard Regulations and Guidance None Page 6/19

7 4. Programme Outcomes Programme-level learning outcomes are identified below. Refer to Appendix I Curriculum Map for details of how outcomes are deployed across the programme. 4.1 Knowledge and Understanding On successful completion of this programme a student will have knowledge and understanding of: 1 A1 Demonstrate an understanding of the range of theoretical frameworks underpinning the subject 2 A2 Demonstrate knowledge of recent developments in the subject; 3 A3 Demonstrate knowledge of specialised topics within the subject, without loosing the overview of how all specialised topics link together to gain an integrated knowledge of the subject 4 A4 Show an appreciation of the variability and diversity inherent to psychological functioning as applied to forensic psychology 5 A5 Show knowledge of both the strengths and shortcomings of different types of research related to forensic psychology 6 A6 Show knowledge of professional standards and practice guidelines 4.2 Subject Specific Intellectual Skills On successful completion of this programme a student will be able to: 7 B1 Reason scientifically and demonstrate the relationship between theory and evidence; 8 B2 Recognise and identify significant factors and patterns in the behaviour of, and information available on, individuals in forensic psychology contexts 9 B5 Draw on multiple perspectives in tackling forensic/clinical questions in the subject area 10 B6 Demonstrate an appreciation of the ethical issues relevant forensic psychology 11 B7 Demonstrate knowledge of core areas of forensic psychology as specific by British Psychological Society accreditation criteria 4.3 Subject Specific Practical Skills On successful completion of this programme a student will be able to: 12 B3 Demonstrate an ability to operationalize research questions in relation to forensic and design appropriate empirical studies to test these 13 B4 Record, analyse and interpret data at levels of complexity typical of current research in the area 4.4 Transferable Skills and Attributes Page 7/19

8 On successful completion of this programme a student will be able to: 14 C1 Apply a systematic approach to problem solving 15 C2 Work and learn independently and critically 16 C3 Reflect on one's own learning experience and academic practice and identify strengths and weaknesses 17 C4 Show a competence in the construction, analysis and critical evaluation of argument and the ability to employ a range of evidence to support arguments 18 C5 Demonstrate advanced computer skills, e.g. relating to information access and statistical packages 19 C6 Exercise an ability to utilise the range of information sources (e.g., libraries, internet, etc.) commonly employed within the subject area 20 C7 Demonstrate a high level of competence in producing written and oral work to professional standards of organisation, clarity, logical coherence and evidential support 21 C8 Appreciate the appropriate use of constructive feedback processes 22 C9 Demonstrate an awareness of cultural and individual diversity For details of each module contributing to the programme, please consult the module specification document. Page 8/19

9 5. Learning, Teaching and Assessment Strategies 5.1. Learning and Teaching Strategy The teaching and learning strategy adopted within the MSc in Forensic Psychology aims to ensure that all learning empowers the students to improve their levels of informed and independent critical analysis and idea dissemination. The strategies adopted to achieve these aims consist of: ensuring that the methods and contexts for teaching and learning are adapted and adaptable to the increasing diversity of learners employing e-learning (e.g., by using Blackboard and e-books) employing a mixture of lecturing and workshop-type based - interactive - learning supporting staff development for those teaching on the MSc to aid in module development to ensure the highest possible standards of teaching (e.g. by supporting attendance on specialist workshops and conferences) ensuring that students have access to specialist teaching staff in all taught areas ensuring module and programme quality by monitoring at both module and programme level (e.g., by considering student feedback, and external examiner s comments) Students are provided with module documents, programme documents and supporting documents (e.g. on ethics and on the reading requirements for each module). The most commonly used methods of teaching are: Lectures: lectures provide a guide to a topic, highlighting important areas and providing information on matters that may not be readily available from other sources. Problem based learning: A number of the modules will use problem based learning in conjunction with other teaching methods to encourage self-directed critical reflection on the learning process. Workshop-type based interactive learning: workshop-type based interactive learning gives students an opportunity to discuss theories and issues, often based on set readings, problems or discussion topics. This approach encourages students to develop both their knowledge of a topic area and their skills of problem solving, critical analysis and evaluation. Practical work: on several occasions, e.g., the Research Methods & Skills modules and the Basic Programming module incorporate practical work in their teaching, where students have the opportunity to work while supervised by their tutor on, e.g., data processing issues. The importance of careful preparation for all modules is stressed to students throughout, in order to make sure that this aspect of teaching can be employed Assessment Strategy The assessment strategy adopted within the MSc in Forensic Psychology has regard for the following factors: the workload and the need to avoid undue pressure being placed on students by the coincidence of the assessments the development and attainment of programme outcomes, including the attainment of high-level intellectual skills such as critical analysis and evaluation, and the development of the student as an independent researcher and critical thinker the teaching and learning methods and outcomes the clarity with which assessment methods and criteria are expressed the level at which skills/abilities are assessed the differentiation of students in terms of their ability and the extent to which they have achieved the learning outcomes being assessed Page 9/19

10 6. Programme Structure The total number of credit points required for the achievement of Postgraduate Certificate (PG Cert) is 60. The total number of credit points required for the achievement of Postgraduate Diploma (PG Dip) is 120. The total number of credit points required for the achievement of Master of Science (MSc) is 180. Masters Title Credit Rating Core / Optional MSc Thesis 60 Core Advanced Research Methods and Skills 15 Core Context and Practice 15 Core Basic Research Methods and Skills 15 Optional Applied Research Skills and Methods 15 Optional Forensic Child Psychology 15 Core Professional Practice and Risk 15 Core Processes of Investigation and Justice 15 Core Working with Client Groups 30 Core Page 10/19

11 Appendix I - Curriculum Map This table indicates which modules assume responsibility for delivering and ordering particular programme learning outcomes. Key: Delivered and Assessed Delivered Assessed Masters Advanced Research Methods and Skills Applied Research Skills and Methods Basic Research Methods and Skills Context and Practice Forensic Child Psychology MSc Thesis Processes of Investigation and Justice Professional Practice and Risk Working with Client Groups PO1 PO2 PO3 PO4 PO5 PO6 PO7 PO8 PO9 PO10 PO11 PO12 Advanced Research Methods and Skills Applied Research Skills and Methods Basic Research Methods and Skills Context and Practice Forensic Child Psychology MSc Thesis Processes of Investigation and Justice Professional Practice and Risk Working with Client Groups PO13 PO14 PO15 PO16 PO17 PO18 PO19 PO20 PO21 PO22 Page 11/19

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13 Appendix II - Assessment Map This table indicates the spread of assessment activity across the programme. Percentages indicate assessment weighting. Masters Advanced Research Methods and Skills Applied Research Skills and Methods Basic Research Methods and Skills 100 Context and Practice Forensic Child Psychology MSc Thesis Processes of Investigation and Justice 40 Professional Practice and Risk Working with Client Groups Advanced Research Methods and Skills 50 Applied Research Skills and Methods Basic Research Methods and Skills Context and Practice Forensic Child Psychology 100 MSc Thesis 5 Processes of Investigation and Justice 60 Professional Practice and Risk 30 Page 13/19

14 Working with Client Groups Advanced Research Methods and Skills 50 Applied Research Skills and Methods 100 Basic Research Methods and Skills Context and Practice Forensic Child Psychology MSc Thesis Processes of Investigation and Justice Professional Practice and Risk 70 Working with Client Groups 35 Advanced Research Methods and Skills Applied Research Skills and Methods Basic Research Methods and Skills Context and Practice Forensic Child Psychology MSc Thesis Processes of Investigation and Justice Professional Practice and Risk Working with Client Groups Advanced Research Methods and Skills Applied Research Skills and Methods EP Page 14/19

15 Basic Research Methods and Skills Context and Practice Forensic Child Psychology MSc Thesis 90 5 Processes of Investigation and Justice Professional Practice and Risk Working with Client Groups Page 15/19

16 Appendix III - Benchmark Analysis This table maps programme learning outcomes to relevant QAA subject benchmark statements or PSRB guidelines. Knowledge and Understanding PO1 PO2 PO3 PO4 PO5 PO6 N/A Subject Specific Intellectual Skills PO7 PO8 PO9 PO10 PO11 N/A Subject Specific Practical Skills PO12 PO13 N/A Page 16/19

17 Transferable Skills and Attributes PO14 PO15 PO16 PO17 PO18 PO19 PO20 PO21 PO22 N/A Page 17/19

18 Appendix IV: Benchmark Benchmark Statement(s) Page 18/19

19 Powered by TCPDF ( University of Lincoln Programme Specification - Master of Science (MSc) Forensic Psychology N/A - Benchmark Statements Not Applicable Page 19/19