Master’s Degree in Forensic Psychology: Applied Forensic Services Course Descriptions
Always at the forefront, The Chicago School of Professional Psychology’s online-blended M.A. in Forensic Psychology: Applied Forensic Services program sets the standard in applied forensic psychology education.
At The Chicago School, we recognize that forensic psychology practitioners not only have the ability to impact individual lives, they also have the potential of influencing our entire justice system. For this reason, our online-blended master’s in forensic psychology program was carefully designed to give you the skills you’ll need by offering:
• A program that keeps pace with the latest advancements in the field of forensic psychology
• An experienced faculty member who is a personal mentor/facilitator/resource for you
• An instructional environment that recognizes you as a mature learner and welcomes your
experience and expertise into the classroom
• Readings and materials that expose you to new theories, concepts, and best practices relevant
to your careers
• Classmates who provide a broader range of workplace experiences and diverse perspectives on
workplace situations and challenges.
CORE COURSES
EFP 610 Survey of Forensic Psychology Practice and Principles (3 credits)
This class introduces students to the field of forensic psychology, its history, and its impact in today’s world. Coursework focuses on the relationship between law and psychology, the mental health system, mental illness, and criminal conduct. The course also provides a brief introduction to the legal system including legal terminology and its use in the preparation of forensic documents. Further, the course gives students a general overview of the preparation of reports for court and other forensic settings.
EFP 611 Ethics and Professional Issues in Forensic Psychology (3 credits)
Students discuss ethical and legal conflicts and dilemmas that might be encountered working within the legal system. Ways to resolve such conflict, including the standards applicable to the practice of forensic psychology, are considered.
EFP 612 Psychology of the Lifespan (3 credits)
In this course, students study normal development from infancy through advanced age, focusing on the development of perceptual and cognitive processes, psychosexual roles, and familial interpersonal processes. Current clinical approaches are examined from diverse theoretical viewpoints and in view of recent research findings. Cultural diversity and individual differences are integral to this course.
EFP 613 Psychopathology (3 credits)
The class includes a survey of the major types of mental disorders. Manifestations, symptoms, and patterns of abnormal behavior are explored. The course addresses management of and interventions with mentally ill individuals in a variety of forensic settings.
EFP 615 Socio-Cultural Issues in Forensic Psychology (3 credits)
Students apply social psychological knowledge in the context of cultural sensitivity to the criminal and civil justice systems. Special focus is placed on topics such as social psychology of justice institutions, environmental psychology, socialization into roles and identity, collective behavior, research on juries, attitude formation and change, and criminal identification. Coursework also highlights the impact of psychological disorders emphasizing the explicit linkage between socio-cultural change and the legal system.
EFP 617 Basic Interviewing Skills (3 credits)
Students learn interview techniques, listening skills, how to give and receive feedback, and how to establish a relationship with a client. Consideration of cultural differences in establishing a relationship and conducting an interview is integral to this course.
EFP 621 Trauma and Crisis Intervention (3 credits)
This class addresses theories, research studies and assessment techniques relating to various types of trauma, such as childhood abuse, domestic violence, combat experience, surviving a natural disaster, and exposure to life-threatening incidents (such as those likely experienced by law enforcement and emergency services personnel). Crisis intervention techniques concerning the treatment of trauma-related difficulties, acute stress, and posttraumatic stress disorder are discussed.
EFP 622 Mental Health Law (3 credits)
Students receive an overview of mental health law and the related issues and responsibilities within diverse forensic settings. Specific applications include confidentiality, reporting requirements, and psychiatric hospital evaluation. Case studies and court reports will be used to illustrate the key concepts of this course.
EFP 625 Substance Abuse Treatment (3 credits)
This course covers substance use and abuse with a focus on symptom formation, classification, causes, socio-cultural factors, and treatment modalities; various theoretical approaches to the etiology and treatment of substance abuse and resultant psychological and physiological effects of various drugs.
Either EFP 619 or EFP 620 must be chosen as a concentration:
EFP 619 Evaluation and Treatment of the Adult Offender (3 credits)
Prerequisites: EFP 613, EFP 429, and EFP 612
This course examines psychological origins and dynamics of criminal behavior from the viewpoint of psychological theories. Treatment of the different types of offender populations (antisocial personality, female offenders, sex offenders, etc.) within the criminal justice system will also be discussed. Students explore psychological theories related to etiology, development and prediction of violent crime, types of intervention possible within the criminal justice setting. Topic areas may include special offender populations (sex offender, offenders with developmental disabilities, or those classified as mentally retarded).
EFP 620 Evaluation and Treatment of the Juvenile Offender (3 credits)
Prerequisites: EFP 613, EFP 429, and EFP 612
Students study the psychological factors leading to the causes, assessment, classification, and treatment of juvenile delinquency. Coursework examines both psychodynamic and developmental approaches, emphasizing neurotic, constitutional, and psychopathological factors contributing to delinquency. The major psychological treatment approaches with relevant case studies presented for illustrative detail will be reviewed. Legal and institutional responses to juvenile crime from the perspective of learning theory and development psychology will be analyzed, and the role of the forensic specialist in the juvenile justice system discussed.
Course Descriptions for Applied Research Project Courses
EFP 601 Writing and Research for Practice: Professional Proposals (.5 credits)
This course covers the basic skills needed for writing at the graduate level, including critical thinking and attention to cross-cultural and multiple perspectives; grammar, writing mechanics, and style; and report formats appropriate for the workplace. Students become familiar with essential resources needed for continuing the development of these skills. Coursework includes an overview of the applied research project and the project’s relationship to the learning outcomes of the program. The process and procedures for creating a personal electronic portfolio (e-portfolio) are covered. Required e-portfolio submission: a proposal for an Applied Research Project that includes the problem statement, background, goal, and an annotated bibliography of three to four articles related to the proposal topic. Approval by the student’s advisor is required.
EFP 602 Writing and Research for Practice: Information Literacy (.5 credits)
In addition to a review of electronic and other resources available to graduate students at The Chicago School, including traditional scholarly resources, this course teaches students how to create an effective research strategy to find and evaluate needed information. Students learn to formulate research queries, perform advanced searches using a range of search engines, and critically evaluate information for a particular application. Reference information to avoid plagiarism is included. Required e-portfolio submission: a revised Applied Research Project if warranted and the Literature Review Section of the project with a complete reference list. Approval by the student’s advisor is required.
EFP 603 Writing and Research for Practice: Professional Ethics (.5 credits)
This course is an overview of individual, as well as organizational, responsibilities with regard to ethical issues and requirements related to research and professional behavior. Students will think critically about ethical situations and compliance regulations in their workplace. The research ethics requirements of The Chicago School are included. Required e-portfolio submission: a revised Applied Research Project if warranted, the Critical Analysis of Ethical Considerations section of the project, and IRB approval, if needed. Approval by the student’s advisor is required.
EFP 604 Writing and Research for Practice: Overview of Applied Research Methodologies (.5 credits)
Students are introduced to practical research methods used in workplace settings, including qualitative and quantitative research methods, as well as action research. The course covers the interpretation and presentation of fundamental statistical data used in workplace research. Students learn to select an appropriate design for a particular research question and become familiar with resources for continuing development of these skills. Student e-portfolio outcome: a revised Proposal (if warranted), the Project Methodology section of the Applied Research Project, and a detailed plan to execute and complete the Applied Research Project. Approval by the student’s advisor is required.
For questions concerning any course, or to inquire about the master’s degree in Forensic Psychology: Applied Forensic Services, please call 866-907-4209 or request more information.
