Forensic Psychology (Honours)

You’ll examine how forensic psychologists use evidence derived from research to contribute to debates and policy on crime, policing, criminal justice and rehabilitation; and how psychology is critical to understanding education, employment, mental health, and relationships.

Key features of the Forensic Psychology (Honours) course at The Open University

– Covers key concepts, theories, methods and debates in forensic psychology
– Gives you an appreciation of different perspectives within psychology and the ability to evaluate them critically
– Takes an applied approach to tackling issues such as counselling vulnerable clients
– Relevant to careers in the criminal justice system, the care and resettlement of offenders, victim support, crime prevention and social justice.
Skills for career development

As well as specific knowledge about forensic psychology, this degree course will help you to develop many transferable and work-related skills that are highly valued by employers. These include:

– communication
– numeracy
– effective team-working
– independent and critical thinking
– IT and data handling
– analysing and evaluating diverse sources of information, including qualitative and quantitative data
– designing and carrying out research projects, and presenting their findings
– problem-solving and reasoning
– application of learning to real world problems and situations
– independent learning.
Career relevance

This degree is relevant to a broad range of careers. This includes working within the criminal justice system, such as the prison and probation services, and organisations concerned with the care and resettlement of offenders, victim support, crime prevention, social care and social justice.

Please note that this degree does not qualify you to practise as a forensic psychologist – although it provides ideal preparation for the additional training required.

A career as a professional psychologist in the applied areas of psychology will require further study, training and/or work experience beyond your degree – for which this degree course provides useful preparation.

The Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) regulated titles include:

– clinical psychologist
– counselling psychologist
– educational psychologist
– forensic psychologist
– health psychologist
– occupational psychologist
– sports and exercise psychologist.