The Master’s Degree in Forensic Psychology trains you to act as an expert witness within the judicial system. With 60 ECTS credits spread over two four-month terms, the modules combine psychological assessment in the civil, criminal and employment law spheres with practical experience in the courts. In this article, you will find a comprehensive breakdown of each module, what you will learn and the skills you will develop to practise as a forensic psychologist.
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Table of Contents
What does a forensic psychologist do, and why do you need a specific master’s degree?
How many modules are there on the Master’s in Forensic Psychology and how are they organised?
What will you study in the first term of the Master’s in Forensic Psychology?
What will you study in the second term of the Master’s in Forensic Psychology?
What skills will you develop through these forensic psychology modules?
Frequently asked questions about the modules on the Master’s in Forensic Psychology
A forensic psychologist is a professional who applies knowledge of psychology to the legal and judicial context. Their main role is to prepare expert reports, assess the mental state of individuals involved in legal proceedings, and advise judges, prosecutors and lawyers on psychological aspects relevant to each case.
To carry out this role, you need specific training. A degree in Psychology provides you with the scientific foundation, but specialising in forensic psychology requires a thorough understanding of the specificities of the judicial environment: legal procedures, assessment tools tailored to expert testimony, and the ability to prepare and defend reports in court.
That is precisely the aim of the Master’s Degree in Forensic Psychology: to enable you to become a professional capable of working in the courts with scientific rigour and legal competence.
The curriculum for the UAX Master’s Degree in Forensic Psychology comprises 11 modules, all of which are compulsory, totalling 60 ECTS credits spread over a single academic year.
The programme is divided into two four-month terms:
| Term | No. of modules | ECTS credits |
| First term | 7 | 36 ECTS |
| Second term | 4 | 24 ECTS |
| Total | 11 | 60 ECTS |
This structure is deliberate: the first term is longer as it lays the theoretical foundations and introduces you to the various areas of forensic practice. The second term combines specialisation in neuropsychology with practical work and the Master’s Dissertation.
The seven modules in the first term provide you with the conceptual, methodological and applied framework of the forensic psychologist.
This introductory module sets the scene for the discipline. You will study what forensic psychology is, the role of the psychologist within the justice system, and the ethical principles governing their practice. It is an essential starting point before moving on to more specialised areas.
A fundamental distinction from the outset is the difference between clinical and expert practice: the forensic psychologist does not treat the patient, but assesses them objectively and impartially to assist the justice system. The General Council of Psychology of Spain (COP) emphasises that this distinction is one of the basic ethical principles of the profession.
One of the most important requirements of forensic work is methodological rigour. This module teaches you how to apply the scientific method to the legal context: how to design assessment protocols, how to interpret data and how to base your conclusions on empirical evidence. Without this expertise, an expert report has no technical validity in court.
This is one of the core modules within the Master’s programme’s forensic psychology curriculum. You will learn to use assessment tools adapted to the forensic setting: tests, structured interviews, malingering detection scales and behavioural observation techniques. You will also learn how to draft an expert report with legal validity and how to prepare to present it orally in court.
The civil law gives rise to very specific demands for expert evidence. In this module, you will work on cases involving the assessment of legal capacity and decision-making competence (for example, in guardianship proceedings or challenges to wills), as well as the assessment of psychological harm resulting from accidents or negligence.
It is in the criminal justice system that the forensic psychologist has the most direct impact. You will study how to assess a defendant’s criminal responsibility, the presence of mental disorders that may affect criminal responsibility, the credibility of victims’ testimony and the dangerousness of the perpetrator. Psychological assessment in contexts of gender-based violence and sexual abuse is also covered.
This module combines two areas that frequently go hand in hand in forensic practice. You will learn to assess and quantify the psychological harm suffered by victims of crime and master the tools for assessing the risk of violence, which are essential both in criminal contexts and in proceedings to protect children and victims of domestic violence.
The workplace is generating an increasing number of requests for expert assessments. In this module, you will address psychological assessment in situations of workplace bullying (mobbing), post-traumatic stress resulting from workplace accidents, and the assessment of incapacity for work due to psychological causes.
The second term consolidates your training with a highly specialised module, an immersion in real-life cases and the two most formative experiences of your professional development.
Forensic forensic neuropsychology is one of the fastest-growing specialisms within the judicial system. You will learn to assess the cognitive functions of individuals involved in legal proceedings: cognitive impairment, acquired brain injury and neurocognitive disorders that affect the capacity to act or criminal responsibility. This module combines neuropsychological rigour with its direct application to the legal context.
This is where theory and practice come together. Through the analysis and resolution of real-life cases, you will put all the knowledge you have acquired into practice: selecting the most appropriate assessment tools, drafting comprehensive expert reports and structuring your arguments to defend them before a mock court. This is the module that most directly prepares you for your actual professional practice.
External placements are your first direct contact with the judicial system. You will undertake placements in courts, psychosocial teams, medico-forensic clinics or specialist organisations, where you will be able to observe and participate in real expert assessments under the supervision of practising professionals. For most students, this experience is one of the most highly valued aspects of the programme.
The Master’s Thesis is the project with which you conclude and demonstrate your training. It can take various forms (systematic review, clinical-forensic case study, design of an assessment protocol) and must demonstrate your ability to integrate the knowledge gained on the Master’s programme with scientific rigour and professional application.
Upon completing the Master’s programme, you will have developed a clearly defined professional profile:
The UAX Master’s Degree in Forensic Psychology condenses all the knowledge required to act as an expert witness within the judicial system into 60 ECTS credits. Its 11 modules, all of which are compulsory, take you from theoretical and methodological foundations to practical experience in courts and specialist organisations, covering the three main areas of forensic work: civil, criminal and employment law. Upon completion, you will have the skills to prepare and defend expert reports, assess psychological harm and the risk of violence, and apply neuropsychology to the legal context. Career opportunities span both the public and private sectors, as well as private practice.
Is a degree in Psychology required to enrol on this Master’s programme? Yes. Admission to the Master’s in Forensic Psychology requires an official undergraduate degree in Psychology or an equivalent qualification recognised in Spain.
Are all modules compulsory, or are there any optional ones? In the curriculum for the UAX Master’s in Forensic Psychology, all modules are compulsory (OB). There are no optional modules, which ensures that all graduates acquire the same set of skills.
Are the external placements paid? External Academic Placements form part of the official Master’s curriculum and, as curricular placements, are in most cases unpaid, although this may vary depending on the host organisation.
Can the Master’s Thesis be related to a specific specialism within forensic psychology? Yes. The Master’s Thesis can focus on the area that interests you most: criminal, civil, employment, victimology, forensic neuropsychology, etc., always under the supervision of an assigned supervisor.
Does this Master’s degree qualify you to practise as a forensic psychologist in Spain? This officially recognised Master’s degree provides you with the qualification and skills to act as a private expert witness and to apply for public sector vacancies related to forensic psychology. To become a civil servant within the Justice Administration, you must pass the relevant competitive examinations.
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