Certificate Program in Forensic Psychology

About this programme

Forensic psychology is the application of behavioural science to the criminal justice system. It is a young field that has grown rapidly in popularity. This certificate program is for those who are interested in expanding their knowledge of psychology with a unique focus on the subject’s application to the legal and criminal justice system. Forensic psychology garners interest from both students and community members who want to learn about evidence-based practices and advance their careers. For example, prospective police officers may learn about the social cognitive science behind biased decision-making as well as the predictors of criminalization. Legal practitioners who interact with the media may benefit from learning about the mechanism behind media influence on public attitudes toward crime. The forensic psychology certificate creates a bridge for learners to study a specialized subset of psychology, allowing them to either ladder into a full degree or apply their knowledge to the field directly. Forensic psychology is the intersection of psychology and the law. Forensic psychology provides an important social context for the many contributors to criminal behaviour and the enforcement of laws. Core courses are based on the scientific method, providing learners with the tools for critical analysis of claims about legal practice and criminality. This program also provides students with an understanding of responsible production and dissemination of forensic psychology research.