MSc Child Forensic Studies: Psychology and Law at the University of Portsmouth

The University of Portsmouth course team are excited about the new MSc Child Forensic Studies: Psychology and Law course structure and curriculum that will commence in September 2012. Whilst these changes will streamline the delivery of the course, they build on the success of this well established programme (which saw its first intake of students in 1995). The focus of the course continues to be to provide academic underpinning for those who work with children who are caught up in the legal system.

The course team, Dr Julie Cherryman (Course Leader), Dr Lucy Akehurst, Dr Axelle Philppon and Mrs Rhiannon Merritt of the Department of Psychology, University of Portsmouth have experience in delivering distance learning programmes and they understand the needs for postgraduate students who have to meet work, study and family demands.

The distance learning materials, (including easily available library resources) that are accessible via an elearning resource, aim to equip students with both practical and academic skills that are useful in the workplace for those who work with children caught up in the legal system. The taught elements of this course are delivered over two years and include topics such as relevant aspects of child development, law and procedures relating to children, investigative interviewing, court processes, children as perpetrators, detecting deception, research methods and an option unit chosen from either cognitive behavioural therapy or investigative interviewing of people with intellectual disabilities. Students also complete a research project.

University of Portsmouth regularly receive positive feedback about the good quality of their course, and students report that the course helps in their work. Pauline Fedrick, a Dedicated Vulnerable Witness Officer from Derbyshire Constabulary graduated in 2011. She has provided a summary of her experience on the course: It doesn't seem two minutes ago since I plucked up the courage and persuaded myself to telephone Portsmouth University and speak with a tutor on the MSc Child Forensic Studies Course.. I have been given the opportunity to study and write about a wide range of truly fascinating subjects. Although the course is distance learning, the tutors are just an e-mail or phone call away. They are an amazingly friendly and patient bunch who are on hand to listen, and offer advice and support. The website for the course, even for 'Computer Dummies' like myself, was surprisingly easy to navigate - the online support is endless. For professionals within the legal system who work with children and are considering self development - this course is a must.

University of Portsmouth is currently recruiting students (the deadline for applications is the end of July 2012) and, as Pauline mentioned above, they are a 'friendly bunch' and are happy to chat about the course. More information can be obtained via the University of Portsmouth website
www.port.ac.uk/childforensicstudies