MODULE 1 – INTRODUCTION TO FORENSIC PSYCHOLOGY
In this module, you will get an overview of forensic psychology, the history of forensic psychology, its limitations, and how it evolved to its present state. You will learn how to perform an investigation and what precautions, as a forensic psychologist, you need to follow within the legal framework. By the end of this module, you will have an understanding of various ethical considerations along with the diverse roles and responsibilities you are expected to handle to be successful in this multifaceted profession.
MODULE 2 – LEGAL SYSTEM AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE
In this module, you will gain a deep understanding of the connection between psychology and the legal system, the roles and responsibilities of legal professionals, like lawyers and judges, and the complexities involved. You will learn how psychological pathways often influence decision-making within the legal system. This module also explores several layers of the functioning of the legal system, the integration of psychology and law, and the impact of psychological insights on legal proceedings.
MODULE 3 – CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR AND PSYCHOLOGY
In this module, you will learn about criminal behavior, its complexities, how it relates to psychology, and criminal behavior theories developed by experts that highlight the motivations behind criminal actions. The module also explores the psychological and behavioral factors that shape criminal behavior and force individuals to commit crimes. Additionally, you will learn techniques to create a criminal profile of potential offenders.
MODULE 4 – PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT AND EVALUATION
In this module, you will get an overview of psychological assessment, its importance within a forensic context, and assessment techniques to analyze and decipher psychological data in legal settings. You will gain insights about how to evaluate competency to stand trial, which means assessing an individual's capacity to take part in legal proceedings. You will also have a fair understanding of risk assessment methodologies that you can use to combat potential threats posed by individuals within the criminal justice system.
MODULE 5 – JUVENILE JUSTICE AND DELINQUENCY
In this module, you will gain an understanding of the critical domain of juvenile justice, various principles affecting it, juvenile crimes and criminal behavior, and factors contributing to this challenging problem. The module also focuses on the role of psychological assessment methods in dealing with juvenile offenders and addressing their needs. By the end, you will have a clear understanding of juvenile justice-specific legal issues and frameworks developed to protect and re-establish young offenders.
MODULE 6 – EYEWITNESS TESTIMONY AND MEMORY
This module covers the significance of eyewitness testimony, the crucial role it plays during legal proceedings and how it impacts the verdict, and factors affecting eyewitness testimony (stress, anxiety, age, weak memory) that lead to difficulty recalling incidents. You will gain insights about techniques that aid in improving the ability to remember and recall events, the reliability of eyewitness testimony, and best practices for conducting interviews and minimizing potential biases.
MODULE 7 – VIOLENCE AND AGGRESSION
In this module, you will gain an overview of violence and aggression, its psychological impact on individuals and society, theories associated with it that highlight the motivational factors giving rise to aggressive behavior, the role of forensic psychologists to assess violent behavior, treatments available, and strategies to handle these complex cases. This module also covers workplace violence, its prevention methodologies to minimize the occurrence of violent incidents, and how to apply principles of forensic psychology within this environment.
MODULE 8 – SEXUAL OFFENDING AND TREATMENT
This module explores issues of sexual offending, like its prevalence, types, and deep societal impact. It also covers theories that explain the motivations behind sexual offending (cognitive-behavioral models and social learning theories), psychological assessment and therapeutic treatment of sex offenders, strategies for the prevention and management of sexual offending, and a holistic understanding of this issue to contribute to its prevention and rehabilitation.
MODULE 9 – POLICE PSYCHOLOGY
In this module, you will learn about the intersection between psychology and law enforcement, challenges faced by police officers, psychological assessment and evaluation of police officers, and the importance of the mental well-being of law enforcement personnel. This module also focuses on stress and trauma experienced by officers on duty, strategies to overcome stress, and crisis intervention and management to reduce the effect of unfriendly events leading to permanent damage.
MODULE 10 – CORRECTIONAL PSYCHOLOGY
This module covers correctional psychology, the challenges of correctional settings, psychological assessment and treatment of inmates, mental health issues among prisoners, and the concept of rehabilitation. You will also learn about the problems inmates face in prison and the challenges they face upon their reentry into society upon release. Finally, you will gain insights about the ethical and legal considerations that correctional psychologists must understand.
