COURSE CURRICULUM

The Applied Forensic Psychology (AFP) program at StFX offers a structured, multi-year curriculum that integrates classroom learning with practical experience to prepare students for careers in psychology, social justice, and the legal system. In the first year, students build foundational knowledge through courses such as Introduction to Psychology as a Natural Science, Introduction to Psychology as a Social Science and Profession, and Forensic Psychology, which introduces key topics including police, investigative, criminal, correctional, and legal psychology. In the second year, courses like Professional Skills and Practicum Training I, Research Methods in Psychology, and Introductory Statistics for Psychological Research develop essential professional, analytical, and research skills, while providing initial practicum experience. The third year emphasizes applied learning with courses such as Professional Skills and Practicum II/IIA, Introduction to Psychopathology, Introduction to Clinical Psychology, Correctional Psychology, and Psychology and Law, combining classroom instruction with fieldwork in courts, correctional facilities, and other relevant settings. In the fourth year, the AFP curriculum culminates in Professional Skills Training and Practicum III, which synthesizes prior learning and practicum experience, emphasizing evidence-based interviewing, risk assessment, psychometrics, and intervention strategies. Throughout the program, students gain exposure to applied forensic contexts, ethical and professional standards, and the intersection of psychological practice with the legal and correctional systems, preparing them for graduate studies and professional roles in psychology, law, social work, and related fields.