Professor of Investigative and Forensic Psychology

Investigative Psychology - UH-000623

BPS curriculum requirements for the accreditation of MSc programmes in Forensic Psychology.

Applicants should have a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, Criminology or other relevant discipline and must have achieved a minimum overall grade of 2:1 (or its international equivalent) OR have demonstrable ability to complete an MSc course at a higher level. This may be demonstrated through professional, educational or vocational documented experience or other evidence that can be evaluated by the selection panel. In order to achieve Stage 1 of BPS chartership the Bachelor’s degree must be recognised by the British Psychological Society as conferring eligibility for Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) (known as a GBC degree). Applicants whose degree is not GBC are also eligible to apply. Applicants who have a Bachelor’s degree with an overall grade lower than 2:1 will be considered on their merits. This can include a variety of professional and vocational experiences.
It should be noted that the course is of particular interest to overseas students. Throughout, the course content will be alert to the implications of different national contexts. There is considerable experience to draw on, to ensure that it will continue to be of relevance and attractive to those beyond the British Isles. Indeed, formalised career opportunities, e.g. in units given the label of Investigative Psychology, are more prevalent overseas in places such as Israel and South Africa than in the UK. International students are expected to have an acceptable English language qualification (IELTS or equivalent) to be admitted to the course. Consideration will be given to applicants with at least a minimum score of 6.0 (as is consistent with the University requirements).
The University of Huddersfield seeks and encourages applicants in order to widen participation, improve access and apply the principles of equal opportunities.  We provide support for applicants who require additional assistance in order to select the right course of study and make a successful transition to studying at University.  We encourage local, national and international applications.  Further information for <a href="http://www.hud.ac.uk/international">International Students can be found on their website</a>.
If you were educated outside the UK, you are required to have International English Language Testing System (IELTS) at a score of 6.0 with a minimum score of 6.0 in writing and a minimum of 5.5 in any single component. If you have alternative qualifications or do not meet the IELTS requirement we also offer a range of <a href="http://www.hud.ac.uk/international/pre-sessionalenglishprogramme/">Pre-Sessional English Programmes.</a>
The University provides opportunities for the accreditation of prior learning (APL) as stated in section C of the <a href="https://www.hud.ac.uk/policies/registry/awards-taught/section-c/">Regulations for Awards.</a>
The University’s general minimum entry requirements are specified in Section D of the <a href="https://www.hud.ac.uk/policies/registry/awards-taught/section-d/">Regulations for Awards.</a>
Every person who applies for this course and meets the minimum entry requirement – regardless of any disability – will be given the same opportunity in the selection process.  General advice and information regarding disability and the support the University can give can be found by contacting student services as follows:
Telephone: 01484 472675
Email: disability@hud.ac.uk
Further information is available on the <a href="http://students.hud.ac.uk/wellbeing-disability-services/disabilityservices">disability services website.</a>    
Further advice on the specific skills and abilities needed to successfully undertake this course can be found by contacting the admissions tutor and by visiting our <a href="http://www.hud.ac.uk/courses/">course finder website page</a>.

UH-000623 - Investigative Psychology

Masters Optional

Masters Compulsory

Masters Core

Masters Level

Structure

To qualify for the award of MSc Investigative Psychology a student needs to pass all eight modules.
There will be a minimum university pass mark of 50% for each module.

Postgraduate Certificate

Postgraduate Diploma

Systematically recognise the professional applications relating to forensic, medical and physical sciences.

Formulate the potential investigative psychological contributions to legal testimony as well as the flaws and weaknesses in this.

Demonstrate the conceptual and psychological challenges in linking crimes.

Manipulate and comprehend quantitative data.

Systematically comprehend the history and critiques of ‘offender-profiling’.

Critically appraise research literature effectively using different media.

Participate independently and interact collaboratively with others.

Establish investigative psychology principles and research for operational, practical and pragmatic purposes.

Systematically appreciate the contribution that investigative psychology can make to the management, investigation and prosecution of crime.

Develop and deliver a presentation to an expert audience.

Develop a range of quantitative and qualitative research methods as used in psychology.

Identify that many aspects of police investigations can benefit from a fuller understanding of offenders’ personal narratives.

Critically appraise the approaches to treatment and assessment of offenders.

Critically review interviewing strategies that may be employed to gain information from a) suspects, b) victims and c) eyewitnesses.

Interpret complex data and develop a research journal article to professional standards.

Propose a research grant application to professional standards.

Critically assess the nature and processes of police investigations.

Instigate the professional and ethical issues of relevance to investigative psychology.

Critically assess the use and application of geographical profiling systems.

Analyse the theories and models available for the explanation of variations in criminal behaviour and for different crime types.

Comprehensively identify the major theoretical concepts, perspectives and explanatory frameworks employed within investigative psychology.

Manipulate and comprehend qualitative data.

Propose a case report to professional standards.

Systematically comprehend the range and scope of clinical forensic psychology.

Organise a research project and devise a research report to professional standards.

Produce IT skills to professional standards.

Critically assess appropriate sources and extract relevant information.

Appreciate the different tactics and strategies used for conducting investigative psychology research.

University: The methods for the validation and annual evaluation of courses, including those validated by external bodies, and for the review of teaching and research and of academic support services are specified in the University’s <a href="https://www.hud.ac.uk/policies/registry/qa-procedures/">Quality Assurance Procedures for Taught Courses and Research Awards</a>.
School: The School is committed to comprehensive student engagement and works actively with the University of Huddersfield Student Union to support this through the student representative system see further information at <a href="https://www.huddersfield.su/">https://www.huddersfield.su/</a>.
School: Within the School students are represented at committee level through Student Panels to the School Board. The School also has a School Council.  Individual feedback on the quality and standards of teaching and learning is received through module and course evaluations An effective external examination system is managed by Registry and all reports are viewed at University, School and course levels.  External examiner and student feedback, as well as all statistical data about the course, is reported through the course committee structure and scrutinised through the University wide annual evaluation process.

UH-000623

This programme specification provides a concise summary of the main features of the Programme and the learning outcomes that a typical student might reasonably be expected to achieve and demonstrate if he/she takes full advantage of the learning opportunities that are provided.  More detailed information on the learning outcomes, content and teaching, learning and assessment methods of each module can be found in the study module guide and course handbook.  The accuracy of the information contained in this document is reviewed by the University.

Course Level
At course level support is provided by:
Personal Tutor
The University has implemented a personal tutor system. This system aims to both improve the student experience of learning and teaching and increase student retention and achievement rates.  Specifically personal tutors:
<ul>
<li>Provide a personal contact for the student within the University and the School.</li>
<li>Act as a liaison between the student and course leaders to seek any improvements required</li>
<li>Offer guidance, assistance and support in managing the students’ academic experience</li>
<li>Recognise when the problems presented are beyond the personal tutor's competence and seek guidance and support for the student through the University and/or School referral processes.</li>
<li>Work with students to review and reflect upon their own progress and if necessary on ways to improve it.</li>
<li>Take part in supportive training events.</li>
</ul>
Module Leader
The module leader is responsible for online teaching, learning and assessment of the modules within this course and can be contacted with written communication via email or face-to-face in Microsoft Teams. Module leaders are also available in the VLE using the discussion boards as well as online within the chat features in Microsoft Teams. Contact details for all module leaders are provided in the handbook, the introduction to the course lecture, and University staff profiles.
Course Leader
The course leader is responsible for the entire quality assurance arrangements for the course and can be contacted via email or arranged for a face-to-face meeting in Microsoft Teams. The course leader may also be contacted via telephone.