Study forensic psychology abroad

Forensic Psychology program structure

You can study a BSc in forensic psychology over a minimum of three years. These programs will provide you with a robust understanding of psychological models and their relevance to the legal system. Most bachelor’s degrees will also include an additional 12-month industry placement in a criminal justice setting, so undergraduate degrees lasting four years are common.

Undergraduate degrees work a little differently in the US because most universities follow the American liberal arts model. Students complete four-year programs, spending the first two years working on their general education, before majoring in forensic psychology for the final half of their course.

Once you’ve completed your bachelor’s, you can choose to pursue a master’s degree in forensic psychology. These programs are designed to extend your specialist knowledge and can be studied over one or two years.

After finishing your master’s, you can enroll in either a PhD or a doctor of psychology (PsyD) program. Both courses normally take between five and six years of study, with a PhD being more research-based, while a PsyD focuses on preparing you for the clinical treatment of patients.

Your schedule will mainly consist of lectures, seminars, tutorials, workshops, and practical laboratories. Assessment methods vary from module to module, but you can expect to encounter exams, essays, research projects, presentations, and debates.

Every forensic psychology program will cover slightly different content, depending on the specialties of lecturers and the elective modules available. However, most courses will address these key topics:

• Introduction to forensic psychology
• Forensic psychology in context
• Biological and cognitive psychology
• Psychology of criminals
• Sociology of crime and deviance
• Criminal assessment
• Clinical research methods
• Mental health policy