Criminal Psychology Courses and Classes

Criminal Psychology Courses and Classes -Criminal psychology courses are offered at many universities and focus on understanding the criminal mind. This article highlights the most commonly offered criminal psychology courses and classes.

Criminal psychology courses are generally offered as part of bachelor's or master's degree programs in criminology or master's and doctorate degree programs in psychology. Graduates of these types of programs may find careers in fields such as law enforcement, criminal profiling and psychology.

Here is an outline of common concepts explored during criminal psychology courses:

• Criminal justice ethics
• Abnormal behavior
• Substance abuse patterns
• Behavioral statistics
• Adolescent psychology

List of Courses

Biological Criminal Psychology Course

Biological criminal psychology is the study of various factors, such as genetics and the social environment, and their effect on criminal behavior. Students learn about genetic, neurobiological and other physiological factors that may influence the criminal mind. Cultural, social, geographic, economic and family circumstances, along with how they might lead to criminal behavior are also studied. Information learned in this course may help professionals in identifying possible triggers of or influences on criminal behavior.

Criminal Behavior Course

Students learn about psychological factors that drive criminal behavior, such as characteristics, patterns and disorders that are linked to criminal behavior. Criminal profiling, which teaches students how to look at a psychological evaluation and how to conclude whether a person has criminal tendencies, is covered. Students learn about typical profiles for crimes like arson, rape and murder.

Forensic Psychology Course

Forensic psychology focuses on teaching students how to apply psychological findings in a legal setting. Course topics include testifying at criminal trials, presenting a profile, predicting behavior and attesting to mental competency. The course may be part of master's or doctorate programs relating to forensic or legal psychology.

Psychological Testing Course

Master's or doctorate programs in psychology usually offer a course on the proper procedures involved in psychological testing. Students take classes in administering tests, checking the validity of a test, measuring test results and creating a prediction based on testing. The information learned may help professionals deal with criminal diagnosis and prepare court testimony.