The field of psychology is constantly evolving, and forensic psychology is no exception,. At The Chicago School of Psychology, our degree programs keep pace with the latest advances in this fascinating field of study. We offer a comprehensive spectrum of course options for students who are ready to advance within their calling.
Courses are based on:
- An instructional environment which accepts students as mature learners and allows them to bring their experience and expertise into the classroom
- Readings and materials that expose students to new theories, concepts, and best practices relevant to their careers
- Classmates who provide a broader range of workplace experiences and diverse perspectives on workplace situations and challenges
- An experienced faculty member who is a personal mentor-guide-facilitator-resource for students
The Chicago School's cutting-edge curriculum sets the standard in applied forensic psychology education. Here is an overview of the courses offered through our online-blended M.A. in Applied Forensic Psychology Services:
EFP 613 Psychopathology: 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 617 Basic Interviewing Skills: Introduces students to interview techniques, listening skills, giving and receiving feedback, and establishing a relationship with a client. Consideration of cultural differences in establishing a relationship and conducting an interview is integral to this course.
EFP 610 Survey of Forensic Psychology Practice and Principles: Introduces students to the field of forensic psychology, its history and impact in today’s world. The course focuses on the relationship between law and psychology, the mental health system, mental illness and criminal conduct. The course 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: Includes discussion of 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: Examines 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 622 Mental Health Law: 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 615 Socio-Cultural Issues in Forensic Psychology: Applies social psychological knowledge in the context of cultural sensitivity to the criminal and civil justice systems. Places special focus 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. Highlights the impact of psychological disorders emphasizing the explicit linkage between socio-cultural change and the legal system.
EFP 621 Trauma and Crisis Intervention: 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 will be discussed.
EFP 625 Substance Abuse Treatment: 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 specialization:
EFP 619 Evaluation and Treatment of the Adult Offender
Prerequisites: EFP 613, EFP 429, and EFP 612. 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. Explores 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
Prerequisites: EFP 613, EFP 429, and EFP 612. Addresses the psychological factors leading to the causes, assessment, classification and treatment of juvenile delinquency. Examines both psychodynamic and developmental approaches, emphasizing neurotic, constitutional and psychopathological factors contributing to delinquency. Reviews the major psychological treatment approaches, with relevant case studies presented for illustrative detail. Analyzes legal and institutional responses to juvenile crime from the perspective of learning theory and development psychology. Discusses the role of the forensic specialist in the juvenile justice system.
EAP 601 Writing and Research for Practice: Professional Proposals: Covers basic skills needed for writing at the graduate level, including critical thinking and attention to cross-cultural and multiple perspectives, grammar and writing mechanics, and style and report format appropriate for the workplace. Familiarizes students with essential resources needed for continuing development of these skills. Includes an overview of the Applied Research Project and the Project’s relationship to the learning outcomes of the program. Covers the process and procedures for creating a personal electronic portfolio. Required e-portfolio submission: A Proposal for an Applied Research Project which includes the problem statement, background, goal, and an annotated bibliography of 3 to 4 articles related to the Proposal topic. Approval by the student’s advisor is required.
EAP 604 Writing and Research for Practice: Overview of Applied Research Methodologies: An introduction to practical research methods used in workplace settings including qualitative, and quantitative research methods, including action research. It covers the interpretation and presentation of fundamental statistical data used in workplace research. Students will learn to select an appropriate design for a particular research question. Familiarizes students 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.
EAP 602 Writing and Research for Practice: Information Literacy: In addition to a review of electronic and other resources available to graduate students at The Chicago School, including traditional scholarly resources, this course prepares student 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.
EAP 603 Writing and Research for Practice: Professional Ethics: 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.
