The Forensic Mental Health Masters degree is ideal if you are currently employed in / or desire to be employed in a forensic mental health setting. The course is designed to equip you with an extensive knowledge of theoretical and practical issues in forensic mental health and a critical awareness of the current philosophical, theoretical and methodological problems, debates and insights that shape the discipline. During the course you’ll also gain a critical appreciation of ethical, cultural, and legal issues arising from mental health practice and research.
What you’ll study
*We are currently reviewing the content of our courses to ensure that they remain relevant and current to out students’ future ambitions and society. Please continue to check this course webpage for the latest developments.
This Masters degree is ideal if you are currently employed in / or desire to be employed in a forensic, forensic mental health, or mental health setting, for example:
– prisons
– secure hospitals
– Ministry of Justice
– Police Force
– courts.
The course is designed to provide you with a combination of applied and research skills core to work in a forensic mental health setting.
During the course you’ll engage in a piece of consultancy for an external organisation working in the areas of mental health or psychological well-being. This afford excellent networking opportunities. Many students also engage in volunteering opportunities to work in these areas facilitated by the University.
Careers and employability
Your future career in forensic mental health
When you graduate with an MSc Forensic Mental Health you will have the necessary skills to pursue professional careers in a range of mental health, forensic mental health, or forensic settings. You may choose to study this course if you already work in this area and hope to improve your prospects of promotion and career progression.
You may also want to pursue an academic and / or research career in a number of academic disciplines following graduation (by working as a research assistant or associate, for example, or by studying for a PhD). Psychology graduates with BPS GBR status may also be interested in this course if they are considering doctoral study towards a career as a clinical or counselling psychologist.
The majority of graduates have tended to pursue, or to return to, applied employment in a range of forensic mental health settings. Recent graduates have pursued careers as:
– Case worker
– Mental health support worker
– Nurse
– Worker for the Ministry of Justice
– Assistant psychologist
– Healthcare assistant
– Social Worker
*Data extracted from the Nottingham Trent University Graduate Destinations Database 2014/15, 2015/16 and 2016/17.
You may also want to pursue a career in the prison service or secure hospitals.
Indeed, your qualification in Forensic Mental Health is likely to be popular with a whole range of potential employers because, in addition to possessing in-depth theoretical knowledge of a range of mental health and forensic issues, you will also have demonstrated an ability to write essays and reports and to talk and present in front of other people (amongst other transferable skills). You will also be equipped with the knowledge and skills to be independent, ethical and culturally sensitive in your future application of psychology.
Please note that for some careers, further study and / or a BPS-accredited conversion course conferring Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership may be required.
Careers and job application advice is available to all our postgraduate students and is provided on a one-to-one basis by a subject specialist within the Department, supported by the university-wide careers service. We’re very proud of the achievements of our many graduates and look forward to helping you graduate to a successful career.
