PSY-645: Forensic Psychology Assessments and Interventions in Criminal Courts
3 credit hours
This course is designed to provide an overview of the interaction between psychology and the criminal/correctional aspects of the law. It will focus primarily on understanding the three major assessments psychologists conduct in the criminal justice system: competence to stand trial evaluations, mental state at the time of the offense (mens rea and the insanity defense) evaluations, and the assessment of risk/prediction of future suicidality and/or dangerousness. This course will also provide students with a framework for understanding the clinical, conceptual and ethical issues pertaining to evaluations of malingering cognitive and functional psychological symptoms.