The Program in Law and Forensic Psychology at Simon Fraser University
offers experimental or clinical students unique research
and applied
experiences in the growing field of law and psychology. Students in both the
Experimental Psychology and Law Stream and the Clinical-Forensic Stream enter
the
graduate
training program in the
psychology department through the normal procedures for the experimental and
clinical training programs, respectively. In addition to the basic department
requirements, students will
enhance their experimental or clinical training by completing the requirements
of the Clinical-Forensic or the Psychology and Law concentration, respectively.
Students will be able
to tailor the resources available through their respective concentrations to
suit their intellectual
and practical needs on an individual basis.
Although related in scope, course work, and other requirements, the concentrations
of the two streams are quite different. Students in the Experimental Psychology
and Law Stream
will develop research and
applied policy skills in law and forensic psychology. By contrast, the Clinical-Forensic
Stream prepares those in clinical psychology with research and clinical skills
unique to the forensic arena. Due
to the overlap of the two areas, students in both streams will take many of the
same courses and will develop similar research skills; however, students in
the Clinical-Forensic Stream will
further develop their clinical training to include forensic training and practice
experience.
In co-operation with the
University of British Columbia, the SFU Program in Law and Forensic Psychology
also offers students in law and
forensic psychology
an opportunity to complete both a Ph.D. and LL.B. degree. The co-operative
SFU/UBC program provides opportunities for students to be on leave from one
university while
completing requirements
in the other. Several courses are eligible for credit in both degree programs.
Students undertaking
the co-operative SFU/UBC stream complete all requirements for both the Ph.D.
in law and forensic psychology and the LL.B. in law. The Ph.D. is awarded by
Simon Fraser University Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, and the LL.B.
is awarded by UBC’s Faculty of Law. Students should anticipate that completion
of both degrees will require 7-8 years of study.
Applications for admission
to the Ph.D. and LL.B. degree programs are made separately to Simon Fraser
University and the University of British Columbia. For application and admission
to the SFU Ph.D. program,
refer to the Department of Psychology “Application and Admission Requirements”.
Admission to the clinical forensic psychology Ph.D. stream at SFU is approved
by the Department of Psychology clinical program. Applicants also seeking an
LL.B. must separately obtain admission from and be deemed acceptable by the
Faculty of Law at UBC.
Law & Forensic Program Booklet (PDF 163kb)
Law & Forensic Psychology Related Links
Mental Health, Law, and Psychology Website
