Course at a glance
Introduction
This diploma is designed for those interested in forensics. You will gain knowledge of what modern day Forensic Psychologists are concerned with when it comes to the application of psychology and the criminal justice system.
You will also develop an understanding of the psychological processes related to criminal behaviour. Plus gain an insight into how Forensic Psychology is often perceived as concerning criminal investigation, profiling and the assessment and treatment of criminal behaviour.
Learning Objectives
- Students will learn about forensic psychology and how it has developed into modern day approaches.
- You will explore reasoning behind crimes and why theories are acted upon.
- Students will explore the insight to the variety of offenders and how these differ depending on the crime committed.
- This course will allow you to explore the areas of using witness testimonies in relation to the crime committed.
- Lastly you will review judicial system and the various correctional settings.
This course consists of Ten Units and is a qualification awarded by Oxford Learning College, in its own right; with the quality assurance of a leading awarding body (CIE Global) that hallmarks this professional qualification.
Assessment Objectives (AO)
AO: 1
Students must select and demonstrate clearly relevant knowledge and understanding through the use of evidence, examples and correct language and terminology appropriate to the course of study. This assessment, involves two written assignments: one halfway through the course and following the final unit. Both are assessed and graded by the assigned tutor, according to college procedures. The grading procedure if Pass or Fail. If you Fail an assessment you have the opportunity to amend where your tutor has highlighted and resubmit.
AO: 2
Students must critically evaluate and justify a point of view through the use of evidence and reasoned argument. Students can include evidence in different formats to support their written work such as documentation or images to support their course remembering Confidentiality and Data Protection.
Accredited Level 3 Forensic + Criminal Psychology Diploma Entry Requirement
Entry to this Accredited Level 3 Forensic + Criminal Psychology Diploma requires that potential students have gained GCSE/IGCSE or equivalent qualifications and have, good English oral, reading and writing skills.
Advice on enrolment and guidance of prior learning (APL) can be obtained through out contact centre. The course is a rolling programme and can be started at any point in the year. Successful students can go on to Higher Education, including remaining as students at OLC to complete courses in our portfolio of higher awards.
All students must be aged 16 or over.
Assessment
The coursework is assessed through continuous assessment with no formal exit examinations.
Study Hours
Approximately: 200 hours of personal study time for the entire course is recommended. All of which is supported by the OLC Course Tutor, who we greatly encourage students to access support from throughout their course.
Quality Assurance
This course has been developed by the College’s professional team of tutors to meet the needs of sector based employers and employees. It is also part of the College’s validated level three Diplomas’, recognised internationally, as verified and moderated Centre for Interactive Education (CIE Global). Further details of our accreditations are provided on our website.
Accredited Level 3 Forensic + Criminal Psychology Diploma Course Length
1 Year.
Awarding Body
Accredited Level 3 Forensic + Criminal Psychology Diploma Course Content
The whole level three diploma has TEN (10) specific units of study, which are sub-divided into topic areas these are:
Accredited Level 3 Forensic + Criminal Psychology Diploma Unit 1: Defining Forensic and Criminal Psychology
The first unit introduces the history and popularity of Forensic and Criminal Psychology, and how it has developed into modern practices and approaches. The extent, moral, public and the social implications of crime associated to theories and analysis of crime is investigated critically. How does crime impact upon different individuals, are the general public manipulated by propaganda or are their fears real is questioned?
Accredited Level 3 Forensic + Criminal Psychology Diploma Unit 2: Theories of Crime
This unit will discuss how theories that underpin the basis of Forensic and Criminal Psychology practice form. You will learn about studies that show the Neuropsychology (how the brain of function), intelligence and learning of criminal behaviour. Along with gaining an understanding of issues such as crime addiction and social learning theory (do we learn how to commit crime from our place in society?) related to criminal behaviour is explored.
Accredited Level 3 Forensic + Criminal Psychology Diploma Unit 3: Violent Offenders and Offences
The unit reviews how Theories related to violent offences are addressed in an environment where questions are asked about how the Media influences violent crimes. In-depth look is carried out on Domestic violence and sexual offences which are now being taken more seriously. The social and cultural factors which influences and controls of crimes is investigated.
Accredited Level 3 Forensic + Criminal Psychology Diploma Unit 4: Juvenile Offenders
This unit helps you to make a connection between crimes and childhood and behaviour. The factors which contribute to antisocial behaviour, such as family, peer pressure and the environment of child development is addressed since two siblings having the same opportunities may decide on differing pathways to life. There is clear correlation to increased crime with wider reporting and access to the variety of crime on the television, cinema, computer, newspapers and books.
Accredited Level 3 Forensic + Criminal Psychology Diploma Unit 5: The Psychology of Policing
In this unit you will be looking at how policing has changed radically in the last 50 years in terms of make-up, recruitment and how they do their jobs. Personality is assessed within the guise of the Police organisational culture, psychological impact of crime on the Police and to determine what makes a person successful in a particular career. Selection continued to be representative only of those in power choosing employees like themselves.
Accredited Level 3 Forensic + Criminal Psychology Diploma Unit 6: Eyewitness Testimony
This unit will look into how convictions happen when there is evidence, often from eyewitness testimony, EWT, and its use within trial preparation is normal. The psychology of memory and how people remember, when/ how/ why they are asked to re-live and communicate what happened in a previous incident is based on many issues.
Accredited Level 3 Forensic + Criminal Psychology Diploma Unit 7: Correctional Settings
Once a person is found guilty In the judicial system, there are several course of action and punishment from psychological support to incarceration. Historical models and approaches of incarceration towards punishment and rehabilitation are given. The effectiveness of prison as risks can be present within, profiling, sex offender therapy and cognitive programmes for offenders are discussed.
Accredited Level 3 Forensic + Criminal Psychology Diploma Unit 8: Research and Statistics
How data is collected and critically analysed determines findings. The types of research methods and methodology, data analysis and how statistics are used is discussed. The relevance of statistics to forensic and criminal psychology is particularly relevant so how research has to be honest, fair and ethical is discussed.
Accredited Level 3 Forensic + Criminal Psychology Diploma Unit 9: Risk Assessment and Reoffending
Within this unit you will explore how criminals and crimes are defined through assessment of risk to victims and of offenders, mental health and danger, and also the evidence associated with reoffending and risk. Mental well-being, fitness to stand for trial and what or who is the criminally insane is assessed. Issues to educate and support offenders concern the welfare of criminals and clinical judgements made by a complex model that is the judiciary system.
Accredited Level 3 Forensic + Criminal Psychology Diploma Unit 10: False Allegations and False Confessions
Presently topical are victims of crime who have made false allegations or being forced to retract their statements from abusive partners have been prosecuted. This may make victims afraid to report crime. Cases of false allegation, such as the Cleveland Affair and its subsequent report is used as a case study. Mistakes are not always malicious but can arise from poor memory, abuse and bad interview techniques used by the Police. Some issues covered are the types and consequence of false allegations, false memory syndrome and repressed memories.
Progression
This Accredited Level 3 Forensic + Criminal Psychology Diploma can be used to gain entry to a Level 4 Diploma or higher.
