Criminal Psychology Course

International Open Academy

Module Exams

Included in course price

Around 5.5 million offences are committed in the UK and Wales each year at a total cost of around £59 billion. That is providing plenty of work within criminology, either investigating crimes or in crime prevention. Our in-depth Criminal Psychology course gives you an acute awareness of how a criminal mind works and the different types of crimes.

As a criminal psychologist, you will be exploring what makes people commit crimes and offending behaviour. This invaluable criminology research can help with the rehabilitation of offenders by finding out what methods work well to reduce re-offending.

Our Criminal Psychology course gives you a comprehensive insight into criminology and psychology. The course is accredited and will look impressive on your CV when you start looking for criminology careers or investigate further qualifications in the field.

Among the many fascinating subjects surrounding criminology, you’ll discover:

• the role of a criminal psychologist
• qualifications and career path within the field of criminal psychology
• different theories of criminal behaviour
• different types of crimes including violence, sexual abuse and cybercrimes

You will leave this course with improved critical thinking skills and a better understanding of criminology, science, justice, and psychology.

You can study this online criminology course from anywhere and at any time. You are investing in lifetime access which means you can refer back to the course to refresh your memory when preparing for interviews for work or university.

How is the Criminal Psychology course assessed?

There is a short multiple choice exam at the end of each module for you to take and you’ll know your score immediately.

By studying Criminal Psychology online with IOA, you do not pay an extra fee for sitting an exam or have to wait for a set date to sit an exam.

Criminal Psychology Course Syllabus

Module 1: Introduction

• What is criminal psychology?
• What is the role of a criminal psychologist?
• What education is required to become a criminal psychologist?
• Personal characteristics of a criminal psychologist
• Career pathways in the field of criminal psychology

Module 2: Origins Of Criminal Behaviour

• Defining crime
• Traditional theories of crime
• Biological theories of criminal behaviour
• Sociological theories of criminal behaviour
• Developmental theories of criminal behaviour
• Psychological theories of criminal behaviour

Module 3: Human Aggression And Violence

• Defining aggression
• Types of aggression
• Biological model of aggression
• Social learning model of aggression
• Cognitive model of aggression
• Integrated theory of crime

Module 4: Crime And Mental Illness

• Defining mental illness
• Causality and criminal responsibility
• Anxiety and mood disorders
• Schizophrenia and psychotic disorders
• Personality disorders
• Substance abuse and crime

Module 5: Criminal Acts

• Types of crime
• Aggravated assault
• Homicide and manslaughter
• Serial homicide
• Family and domestic violence
• Hate crimes

Module 6: Sex Crimes

• Sexual harassment
• Rape and sexual assault
• Characteristics of sexual offenders
• Sexual offences against children

Module 7: Other Crimes

• Childhood abuse
• Juvenile crime
• Burglary, home invasions and theft
• Cybercrime
• Terrorism

• Anyone seeking a career within the field of criminology or related disciplines such as a:
  
  • crime scene investigator
  • social worker
  • crime researcher
  • criminal lawyer
  • forensic psychologist
  • detective
• Anyone who dreams of writing a best-selling thriller, TV crime drama or detective movie and wants an insight into the criminal mind
• Everyone who is fascinated by criminology and what makes people turn to crime
• Everyone seeking an intriguing and interesting insight into another aspect of the criminal justice system
• Employees who work with offenders or within the criminal justice system and want greater insight into criminal behaviour or who are seeking promotion
• This course is ideal for people considering a career in criminal psychology or criminology. It will help you decide before you commit yourself financially to a relevant degree course

This Criminal Psychology course is open to all, with no formal entry requirements.

• Investigate further a career in criminology such as criminal psychology, the criminal justice system, the police service or the law
• Go on to study to become a counsellor, welfare officer or another position working with offenders or rehabilitating offenders
• Write crime novels, TV series or movies with your new-found knowledge of how the criminal mind works
• Start a blog or podcast about criminology