MSc Child Forensic Studies: Psychology and Law

This well established course at the University of Portsmouth aims to equip students with knowledge and practical and academic skills that are useful for professionals who work with children caught up in the legal process.

The course team (Dr Julie Cherryman (Course Leader), Dr Lucy Akehurst, Dr Clare Wilson and Mr Phil Magson) have worked hard to update the course material and implemented a new course structure and assessment strategy in September 2009.

This course is delivered on a part time basis via distance learning materials (including easily available library resources via the internet). The new course structure, that includes updated materials for all units, commences with material on child development and family systems before moving on to a larger unit on the development of the law relating to children. These two units provide a lot of background information to place in context the units on interviewing children, children as perpetrators, detecting deception in children, and a final larger unit on abuse (that looks at both the effects and treatment of child abuse).

Throughout the materials are tasks aimed at enhancing the learning experience. Optional study days and an email network, as well as ongoing use of the university's elearning environment 'Victory' encourage students to communicate with each other.

Assessments are varied and innovative.
University of Portsmouth regularly receive highly positive feedback from students. For example, a current student, Pauline Fedrick, a Dedicated Vulnerable Witness Officer from Derbyshire Constabulary is now studying on the final part of the course. She has provided a summary of her experience on their course so far:

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 can honestly say that the last two and a half years have flown by, and in that time 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 'Computers Dummies' like me, 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.

The University of Portsmouth is currently recruiting students for Autumn 2010 and, as Pauline mentioned above, they are a 'friendly bunch' and are happy to chat about the course, more information about the course can be obtained via the University of Portsmouth website:

www.port.ac.uk