Program Description
The Police Psychology Concentration within the M.A. in Forensic Psychology program prepares students to apply psychology within law enforcement and the legal system at large. Coursework focuses on psychological issues inherent in all aspects of police work and administration. Students learn to apply psychological theory in a wide variety of settings—from de-escalating domestic disputes to dealing effectively with mentally ill offenders.
Students benefit from a broad range of applied and real-world learning experiences through the campus' Forensic Training Institute and may participate in projects such as working on a city-wide Prison Re-Entry Project; providing forensic assessment, clinical treatment, and program measurement services; and conducting staff training for prosecuting and defense attorney and LAPD officers. Through the preparation and presentation of training materials at the Forensic Training Institute, students develop an in-depth understanding of topics covered in the classroom and develop essential contacts within the forensic community.
Graduates may work with individuals residing in correctional institutions, psychiatric facilities, or community-based agencies, or they may work with the court system, the federal criminal justice and security systems, or victimized or traumatized populations. In these settings, they may provide psychotherapy and other services to help minimize or eliminate the psychiatric symptoms that led to their patients' criminal acts. Students learn to help perform assessments, interventions, and treatment planning for various problems and populations, and are prepared to work in legal and public policy.
The program is offered in an online-blended format that is convenient for working professionals.
Department
Forensic Psychology
Concentrations
Licensure
Prepares students to sit for State of California Licensure as a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC).
Total Credits
64
Fieldwork Requirements
700 hours over 9-12 months
Sample Courses
Police Organization and Administration
Analyzes the policies and procedures of police organization and administration. Topics include personnel selection, instruction and training, performance appraisal, group performance and decision-making, job satisfaction and organization commitment, and leadership and supervision.
Violence and Risk Assessment
Provides students with the fundamental aspects of conducting violence and risk assessment evaluations and the manner in which opinions are communicated. Students gain an understanding of empirically-based risk factors and assessment tools used to conduct violence and risk evaluations, as well as management strategies employed to ameliorate risk/risk conditions. Practical exercises drawn from actual cases are used to illustrate key concepts.
Family/Partner Violence
Emphasizes the dynamics of domestic violence in intimate relationships. Assessment, treatment, and prevention strategies for both the victim and perpetrator of domestic violence are examined. Ethical and legal concerns related to reporting of domestic violence are made explicit.
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