Forensic Psychology.

Catalog description

The major goal of this course is to provide a broad overview and critical analysis of the field of forensic psychology and the variety of ways that mental illness interacts with the courts. Forensic psychology addresses the application of psychological research, methods, and expertise to issues that comes before the legal system. Some topics include competency to stand trial, criminal responsibility, coerced treatment, mental health courts, drug courts and eyewitness testimony. The discipline of forensic psychology has become extremely popular for students over the past two decades, in part because of TV programs addressing the topic such as: Law & Order, CSI, Criminal Minds, as well as a number high profile cases which captured the national media spotlight. A good understanding of forensic psychology will benefit students entering into a number of professions including: corrections, law enforcement, child/adult protective services, probation, mental health and healthcare fields, forensic sciences, and the legal system.