School of Psychology. Forensic Psychology Practice Doctorate (ForenPsyD) Three years full-time

Transcription

1 Forensic Psychology Practice Doctorate (ForenPsyD) Three years full-time Doctorate Programme for Psychology Trainees (ForenPsyD) employed in a forensic setting Four years part-time The core philosophy of the course is to prepare trainees in forensic psychology to work at the highest standards of psychological practice in forensic settings. Anthony Beech, Professor of Criminological Psychology, Director of the Centre for Forensic and Criminological Psychology School of Psychology

2 Forensic Psychology Practice Doctorate (ForenPsyD) Three years full-time Doctorate Programme for Psychology Trainees (ForenPsyD) employed in a forensic setting Four years part-time The study of forensic behavioural science has a long history at the University of Birmingham and the School of Psychology was one of the first to offer courses with a psychological perspective to the study of crime. Thus, it is most appropriate that the first practioner Doctorate in Forensic Psychology to be accredited by the British Psychological Society is based at the University of Birmingham. Indeed, the course was the first of its kind in Europe. Birmingham is regarded as one of the leading universities in the UK and the School of Psychology is ranked third in the UK in the most recent Research Assessment Exercise. Core philosophy of the course The core philosophy of the course is to prepare trainees to work in forensic settings using the highest standards of psychological practice in collaboration with clients and professional colleagues, and follow the British Psychological Society and the Health Professions Council guidelines for forensic psychology training. Specifically, the trainee will develop and apply psychological theories, principles, knowledge, models and methods, in an ethical and evidence-based way, in order to promote the well-being and effectiveness of individuals, families, groups, organisations and civil society in general, whilst respecting the dignity and rights of those concerned. Successful completion of the Doctorate in Forensic Psychology Practice confers eligibility for BPS Chartered Psychologist status and full membership of the Division of Forensic Psychology and eligibility to apply for registration with the Health Professions Council as a Forensic Psychologist. The postgraduate trainee will have developed a capacity to formulate psychological solutions to complex activities and problems. This capacity relates to standards of proficiency in four core areas of work in forensic settings; intervention with clients, research, communication with professional colleagues and training and dissemination of knowledge. Aims of the Doctorate programme The University offers a competitive and attractive full-time postgraduate professional Doctorate programme in Forensic Psychology Practice that combines a number of theoretical and practical approaches and, uniquely, emphasises a developmental and domestic perspective to the study of offending behaviour and criminal activity. The professional Doctorate programme is established as a postgraduate course over three years full-time in organised placements or four years part-time for those employed in a forensic setting. The principal objective is to equip trainees in forensic psychology with research and practice skills based on recognised theory and evidence-based practice and to offer a sound understanding of criminal behaviour, its effects on victims and appropriate approaches to intervention with both offenders and victims. Thus, it is aimed at psychologists who intend to work in forensic settings with victims or offenders of crime. On entry into the programme, trainees must be eligible to hold Graduate Basis for Chartership (GBC) with the British Psychological Society (BPS) and Health Professions Council requirements (see further details below). Successful course participants may leave after two years full-time with a Masters qualification in Forensic Psychology Practice (MSc) or after three years full-time/four years part-time with a Doctorate in Forensic Psychology Practice (ForenPsyD) conferring eligibility for BPS Chartered Psychology status and full membership of the Division of Forensic Psychology. You will also be eligible to apply for registration with the Health Professions Council as a Forensic Psychologist, which is the statutory regulating body for Psychology. Structure of the course Full-time Doctorate in Forensic Psychology Practice (ForenPsyD) (Programme for Psychology Trainees three years full-time) The structure of the academic taught programme is for participants to attend the School of Psychology one day per week for 36 weeks a year over a period of two years (award of Masters) and for nine days (three blocks of three days) in their final Doctorate year (the other teaching days in the third year are used for research writing). The teaching day consists of lectures, seminars and workshops given by relevant staff of the School of Psychology and guest speakers. In addition, the trainee is expected to gain forensic practice experience in at least one forensic placement per year, consisting of a minimum three days a week for a period of 40 weeks (120 days per placement plus 40 days research per year). Part-time Doctorate in Forensic Psychology Practice (ForenPsyD) (Programme for Psychology Trainees employed in a forensic setting four years part-time) The University has now approved the Doctorate in Forensic Psychology Practice (ForenPsyD) to run part-time over four years to be sponsored by employers (or self-funded) who are willing to supervise employees in the workplace throughout the course, conferring the award of Doctorate in Forensic Psychology Practice (ForenPsyD). Successful completion of both academic and practice training components of the course confers eligibility for BPS Chartered Psychology status and full membership of the Division of Forensic Psychology. You will also be eligible to apply for registration with the Health Professions Council as a Forensic Psychologist, which is the statutory regulating body for Psychology. The structure of the academic taught programme is broadly similar to the full-time course for trainees in the first two years (ie, attendance for one day per week for 36 weeks a year over a period of two years, and for nine days (three blocks of three days) in their first third part-time Doctorate year. In addition, the part-time trainee is expected to gain forensic practice experience in their workplace for the rest of the time over the four-year period of the course. It will be necessary for trainees on this course to have experience of working with three different clients groups over this period. As with the full-time course this will consist of assessed practice work (120 days Year 1,120 days Year 2, 120 days split over Years 3 and 4).

3 Taught programme The course has continuous assessment of both academic and practice components. For each academic taught module, trainees submit written assignments for graded evaluation. During each year of the course all trainees report and carry out a forensic practice case study, after attending a module on Case Study Methods in January of Year 1. In addition, two forensic practice placement reports are completed on placement each year (two x 20 weeks). Over three years, each of the six reports incorporates a forensic practice diary, from which core competencies and standards of proficiency are assessed. In order to complete the Doctorate programme, the trainees will have shown evidence of carrying out placement work at a high professional standard in parallel with advanced academic learning. They will have demonstrated acquired skills in assessment, management, intervention and evaluation for work with both victims and offenders of crime. Furthermore, they will have shown competence in the training of other professionals in these skills. This will be assessed by mid- and endplacement appraisals. Description of the modules in the programme Below is a description of the course and the credits attained for each aspect of the course. Year 1: Offender issues Credits M 1 Psychological Theories and the Understanding of Crime 10 M 2 Working with Offenders 10 M 3 Psychology, Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice 10 M 7 Forensic Practice Placement Report and Forensic Practice Diary x two per annum (30 credits each) 60 M 8 Research: Systematic Literature Review Methods and Critical Appraisal 40 M 9 Introduction to Forensic Case Study and Research Methods 10 M 10 Case Study 1 40 Year 2: Victim issues Credits M 4 Assessment (Offenders and Victims) 10 M 5 Forensic Psychotherapy and Professional Issues 10 M 6 Psychology and the Court System 10 M 11 Advanced Forensic Case Study and Research Methods 10 M 12 Research Project 1 40 M 13 Case Study 2 40 M 14 Forensic Practice Placement Report and Forensic Practice Diary x two per annum (30 credits each) 60 Year 3: Research and evaluation issues Credits M 15 Professional Writing, Training and Presentation 20 M 16 Development of Psychometric Measures 10 M 17 Advanced Research and Evaluation Methods 10 M 18 Research Project 2 40 M 19 Case Study 3 40 M 20 Forensic Practice Placement Report and Forensic Practice Diary x two per annum (30 credits each) 60

4 Structure of the University day Arrive at the University/ library work Course/module administration Module workshop (session one) Break Module workshop (session two) Lunch Module workshop (session three) Break Module workshop (session four) Personnel development groups (once every three weeks) or tutorials/library/computer lab Tutorials/library/computer lab Each term a module runs for 12 weeks with at least four hours contact per week, and with a reading week in the middle for module assignment work. In addition, each trainee receives on average an hour-long academic tutorial (in small groups or in pairs), and a one-hour personal progress tutorial per module. Assessment of academic work The correct and efficient practice of psychological intervention in forensic settings requires specific knowledge and skills: assessment, practice and evaluation, an ability to communicate clearly and effectively and a sound understanding of the body of theory underpinning their area of work. The development of knowledge and skills are seen as the main aims of the course and are based on the BPS core competencies and HPC standards of proficiency for psychologists. The purpose of assessment is to assist the trainees to achieve these aims, and to encourage trainees in their professional development by setting goals and giving feedback on their performance. Consequently, some of the group tasks and course work have a specific forensic flavour, for example one of the class assignments is writing a mock court report. This is to ensure that the trainees develop the specific skills they require to function as forensic practitioners. The research component is as follows: Year 1 research work Research during the first year of the course involves the formulation of a topic for research, its ethical consideration and attending a module on systematic literature review methods and critical appraisal of research. Once specific research questions have been determined by the trainee, a systematic literature review is carried out by the trainee on their chosen topic to give grounding and direction for their primary empirical research studies over the next two years. Year 2 research work Research during the second year involves all trainees attending modules on experimental research methods and statistics and completion of the first of two primary research studies. If the trainee chooses to leave the course with the Masters a research thesis must be produced containing their systematic review from Year 1 and their primary research study from Year 2. Year 3 (Years 3 and 4 part-time) research work Research during the third year of the course involves trainees attending modules in blocks of three days on advanced research and evaluation methods, development of psychometric measures and professional writing, training and presentation. They plan and conduct a second primary research study or expand their first primary research study from Year 2. At the end of the course a research thesis must be submitted containing their systematic review (Year 1) and a primary research study and a critique of a psychometric measure used in the research. Progression to Doctorate year For second year trainees to progress to the Doctorate component of the course, they need to achieve an average mark of B- (61%) in the first and second year, to have an a good attendance record and to have achieved satisfactory reports on their placements (all of which must have been passed). Placements Trainees on the full-time Doctorate will have the chance to experience three types of placements, typically in prison, community, and forensic mental health settings. These will be arranged by course staff; trainees should not arrange their own placements or contact placement providers unless authorised to do so by the Director or placement organiser. Trainees on the part-time Doctorate are expected to gain forensic practice experience in their workplace over the four-year period of the course. It will be necessary for trainees on this course to have experience of working with three different clients groups over this period. As with the full-time course this will consist of assessed practice work (120 days Year 1, 120 days Year 2, 120 days split over Years 3 and 4). Client groups At the end of the course, trainees should have had experience of working with some or all of the following client groups, and professionals involved with those client groups: a) Adult male/female offenders/victims b) Young offenders/child victims c) Learning disabled offenders/victims d) Mentally disordered offenders/victims Placement supervisor/practice supervisor Each trainee will have a placement supervisor within their placement who will normally be a BPS chartered psychologist registered with the Health Professions Council. If the placement supervisor is not BPS chartered and/or a HPC registered forensic psychologist (eg, typically BPS chartered but HPC registered as a clinical psychologist working in a forensic setting) then a practice supervisor from the Centre who is both BPS chartered and a HPC registered forensic psychologist will also be allocated to oversee supervision of the trainee s practice for one hour per month. Employed trainees on the part-time course must be supervised within their workplace by a BPS chartered and a HPC registered forensic psychologist.

5 course are invited to participate. At least a third of the workshops will be presented by outside guest speakers of proven expertise. Developing standards of proficiency The aim of the practice component of the course is to develop standards of proficiency as set out by the HPC in the four core areas of work set out by the BPS: HPC standards of proficiency: The generic standards of proficiency set out by the HPC for health practitioners and specific guidance for forensic psychologists relate to: 1. Expectations of a health professional 2. Skills required for the application of practice 3. Knowledge, understanding and skills BPS Core role competencies Core Role 1: Conducting psychological applications and interventions This core role assesses competencies in formulation and planning in relation to client needs, management and treatment plans; developing and maintaining working relationships, implementing interventions (assessment and treatment); and case reviews and evaluating the effectiveness of interventions and giving directions to non-psychologists in relation to client work. Core Role 2: Research This core role assesses competencies in designing research questions, methods and activities; conducting research and data collection; analysing and evaluating research data and interpretation of findings. Core Role 3: Communicating psychological knowledge and advice to other professionals This core role assesses competencies in providing information, advice, guidance and feedback on the contribution of applied psychological services to allied professionals, agencies and organisations; and to assist in problem solving, decision making and policy; preparing and presenting evidence in formal settings, and responding to requests for psychological information, and providing feedback to clients. Core Role 4: Training other professionals in psychological skills and knowledge This core role assesses competencies in providing training to improve job performance in specific areas; designing and implementing training programmes and their assessment, and evaluating the effectiveness of training. Library and computing facilities In addition to the main University Library, within the Centre for Forensic and Criminological Psychology there is a specific library for use by postgraduate trainees in the Centre. In the School of Psychology there are two large computer laboratories, networked to the University s central computer system. These are available to all trainees for statistical analyses and word processing. Most well known software packages are available for example: The Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS), Microsoft Excel and reference manager. All trainees are given an address when they register and have access to the Internet. Canvas The University of Birmingham also uses Canvas. This is an area that can only be accessed by registered students and staff. You will have demonstrations on how to use Canvas and again should access this regularly. The guidance notes, memos etc, will be posted here, as will postgraduate lectures notes on basic and advanced statistics. In addition, in response to student demand, we have instigated the use of Canvas to post handouts to workshops. Course staff Members of the Forensic Team include Professor Anthony Beech, Dr Louise Dixon, Dr Jessica Woodhams, Dr Myfanwy Ball and Caroline Oliver. Other staff members of the School of Psychology (ie, Research Methods, Social and Developmental Psychology Staff) and from the School of Law who have expertise related to the Entry qualifications The course is open to all candidates who satisfy the University Higher Degree Board requirements for entry. Candidates must hold a good honours degree (typically 2:1 or above or a Masters in a cognate discipline) in psychology that confers Graduate Basis for Chartership (GBC) from the British Psychological Society. Candidates must comply with the Health Professions Council requirements of English language proficiency (Standard equivalent to IELTS level 7.0 with no element below 6.5), health, character and criminal record requirements ie, that do not affect an individual s fitness to practice. Trainees must complete an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check before attending any placement at their own cost (approx 38). Applicants are expected to have experience working in an appropriate setting, ideally at least six months working as an assistant psychologist. Up to ten trainee places are available each year. The closing date for applications is the end of March each year with selection interviews taking place during April/May. The University of Birmingham operates equal opportunities policies regarding intake and each year those selected for the course are compared with those who apply for the course to ensure that there is no bias in selection. Course fees Please check the website for details: Learn more We hope that this brochure has told you everything you need to know about the Doctorate/Masters Programme in the Centre for Forensic and Criminological Psychology at the University of Birmingham. However, if you would like any further information please contact: Admissions enquiries: Student Recruitment Team forensicpsych-admissions@contacts. bham.ac.uk psychology

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