As part of the AFP program, students complete courses in Clinical Psychology, Forensic Psychology, Abnormal Psychology, Correctional Psychology, Psychology & Law, as well as Practicum and Professional Skills courses in years 2, 3 and 4 of the program. AFP students will also take electives from among a suite of courses in gender and sexuality, brain and behaviour, social psychology, psychopharmacology, and others. Below are the core courses you are required to complete as part of the Applied Forensic Psychology program. Please consult the Academic Calendar for a complete list of courses.
*Courses restricted to students in the Applied Forensic Psychology program.
First Year
PSYC 101: Introduction to Psychology as a Natural Science
Topics include research methodology, neuroscience, consciousness, sensation and perception, learning, memory, and cognition. Students have the opportunity to be involved in ongoing research in the department by participating in experiments during the course of the academic term. Credit will be granted for only one of PSYC 101 or PSYC 100. Three credits.
PSYC 102: Introduction to Psychology as a Social Science and Profession
Topics include lifespan development, motivation and emotion, health, social psychology, personality, abnormal, clinical and forensic psychology. Students have the opportunity to be involved in ongoing research in the department by participating in experiments during the course of the academic term. Credit will be granted for only one of PSYC 102, PSYC 100 or PSYC 155. Pre-requisite: PSYC 101. Three credits.
*PSYC 110: Forensic Psychology
Forensic Psychology refers broadly to all matters at the interface of psychology and law. This includes the production and application of psychological science and knowledge to legal issues. In addition to exploring the history of Forensic Psychology, this course will examine key aspects of the five subspecialties of forensic psychology: Police Psychology (officer selection, exposure to stress and trauma, use of force); Investigative Psychology (offender and geographic profiling, interrogation techniques); Criminal Psychology (theories of crime, offender types, sex/gender/cultural issues with particular attention to the overrepresentation of Indigenous people and people of colour in the criminal and correctional justice systems); Correctional Psychology (history of prisons, sentencing principles, rehabilitation); and Legal Psychology (assessments of fitness and criminal responsibility, forensic risk evaluations, trial consultation). Three credits.
Second Year
*PSYC 257: Professional Skills and Practicum Training I
This course will introduce AFP students to the professional skills that are essential for success in practicum placements, work settings; undergraduate, graduate and professional studies. These skills include: effective communication (oral, written, listening); critical, analytical, and creative thinking; intercultural competency; inclusivity and diversity; problem solving and conflict resolution; leadership and teamwork; professional ethics and integrity; personal wellness; and career development. These skills are requisite for success in any field and should enhance a student’s success with their undergraduate studies, their candidacy for employment and training post-graduation, as well as their overall psychological health and wellbeing.
PSYC 291: Research Methods in Psychology
An introduction to methods used to conduct psychological research. Topics include identifying research questions, theory development, experimental, correlational, and observational research designs, ethics, measurement, sampling, survey development, and APA style research proposals. Quantitative methods will be emphasized. Lab component. Credit will be granted for only one of PSYC 291 or PSYC 290. Prerequisite: PSYC 101/102 or 100. Three credits
PSYC 292: Introductory Statistics for Psychological Research
An introduction to the statistical methods used to conduct psychological research. Topics include descriptive statistics, hypothesis testing, effect size, power, and inferential statistics including Z-test, t-tests, correlation and regression, basic analysis of variance, and non-parametric procedures such as chi-square. Students will learn to use statistical software. Lab component. It is highly recommended that students have a laptop that meets the standards set by StFX IT Services. Credit will be granted for only one of PSYC 292, PSYC 290, or STAT 101. Prerequisite: PSYC 291. Three credits.
Third Year
*PSYC 357: Professional Skills Training & Practicum II
A continuation of PSYC 257, this course will allow students to continue to develop their professional skillset. These skills include effective communication (oral, written, listening); critical, analytical, and creative thinking; intercultural competency; inclusivity and diversity; problem solving and conflict resolution; leadership and teamwork; professional ethics and integrity; personal wellness; and career development. Students will have the opportunity to practice these skills in a 40- hour practicum placement. Credit will be granted for only one of PSYC 357 or PSYC 356. Restricted to students in applied forensic psychology programs. Prerequisites: PSYC 101, 102, 110, 257. Three credits.
PSYC 376: Introduction to Psychopathology
This course deals with current perspectives and research on the various psychological disorders. Courses in learning, brain and behaviour, developmental psychology, and personality form a useful background for this course. Credit will be granted for only one of PSYC 376 or PSYC 370. Prerequisites: 6 credits of PSYC at the 200 level. Three credits.
PSYC 379: Introduction to Clinical Psychology
This course provides an introduction to the theory, research and practice of clinical psychology. It assumes an evidence-based approach to assessment and treatment of psychological disorders, and examination of relevant ethical, professional, and theoretical issues. This course will be of interest to students intending to pursue graduate or professional studies in mental health or human services (e.g., clinical psychology, social work, counselling, nursing, law, medicine, corrections). Prerequisites: 6 credits of PSYC at the 200 level and PSYC 370 or 376. Three credits.
Fourth Year
*PSYC 457: Professional Skills Training & Practicum III
A continuation of PSYC 257 and 357, this course continues to build upon clinical skills and professional development undertaken in the first 3 years of the AFP program. This senior practicum course is a culmination and application of 4 years of practical training and experience. AFP students are provided classroom-based skills training in evidence-based interviewing (clinical, investigative, forensic); risk assessment; introduction to psychometrics and intervention strategies, as well as mini-workshops (e.g., professional skills, mental health literacy, cognitive behavioural therapy) offered by practicing mental health and other professionals. Students will have the opportunity to practice these skills in a 40- hour practicum placement. Restricted to students in applied forensic psychology programs. Prerequisites: PSYC 101, 102, 110, 257, 357. Three credits.
*PSYC 381: Correctional Psychology
This course refers broadly to the production and application of psychological knowledge to legal issues. This course covers the history and mandate of corrections; nature of offending, behaviour assessment, treatment, and rehabilitation of different types of offenders. Field work and projects involving trips to prisons and other correctional facilities are a required component of this course and involve significant commitment of time beyond scheduled class time. At times, trips may conflict with other classes. Students are responsible for managing their schedule and workload to facilitate participation in this course without needing accommodations in other courses. Restricted to students in the applied forensic psychology programs. Prerequisites: PSYC 101, 102, 257, 357, 376, 379. Three credits.
*PSYC 382: Psychology and Law
A continuation of PSYC 381, this course covers the history of the relations between psychology and law; Canadian criminal law; basic concepts in criminal justice and the study of crime. The course may include attendance at provincial and Supreme Court sessions, organization of special events as well as hosting guest speakers from the criminal justice system. Students are responsible for managing their schedule and workload to facilitate participation in this course without needing accommodations in other courses. Restricted to students in the applied forensic psychology programs. Prerequisites: PSYC 101, 102, 257, 357, 376, 379. Three credits.
Contact
St. Francis Xavier University
2323 Notre Dame Avenue
Antigonish NS B2G 2W5
Canada
