Ma Degree In Criminal Investigative Psychology

Q: The degree is strictly via distance learning done through the Internet with Vermont College of Norwich University. Vermont College is a well established school and is fully accredited. The degree takes usually around 18 months to finish. Vermont College is a private school. There are 'no' similar degrees in the US

A: Vermont College accepts both federal and military financial aid. Criminal Investigative Psychology is an empirical and scientific approach to researching and analyzing crime than traditional subjective approaches; hence the main purpose is to assist police in detecting and solving crimes by developing 'models' of behavior and looking for trends of behavior over time. This is not a forensic psychology degree. Forensic psychology is a mental health approach to dealing with criminals, for example, in a prison setting. Forensic psychology is more aligned with 'clinical psychology' and rarely do they assist police in solving crimes. Rather, they deal more in testifying in court about the dangerousness of a criminal. For additional information, please visit the web site: http://www.investigativepsych.com/madegree.htm

A:I would like to welcome Dr. Godwin to the newsgroup. Based upon the lack of any contradicting evidence and an awareness of the standards of Vermont College vis-a-vis the acceptance of adjunct faculty, I will assume that he holds legitimate credentials through the doctoral level. I think it is important that our readers realize, however, that the program he offers is not an "official" program of Vermont College. He has accurately described the set-up of the V.C. Graduate Program in terms of having both a core faculty advisor and a field faculty advisor (from outside the university), but the program he has described can be designed by anyone on their own, independent of Dr. Godwin's involvement. Readers curious about the specific nature of the program can find out more by clicking on the "Norwich University" logo on my home page. In addition to an "unofficial FAQ" about the Graduate Program, the site includes copies of my own Study Plan, samples of papers written during my program, master's thesis, and actual transcript. Now, Maurice has engaged in a unique marketing idea - designing the foundational basis for a program and marketing it through Vermont College of Norwich University. A student consults with him as the field faculty advisor, pays tuition to the university, and the university pays him as the F.F.

A: (Being a field faculty advisor normally carries with it status as adjunct faculty with the university.) Therefore, I compliment him on a unique idea in terms of correlating his own program with a well-established university, but hope that he will accurately reflect that his program is not an "official" Vermont College program or major. It would also help if he lists his own qualifications, including academic credentials with their sources and, if any, professional experience in law enforcement. The choice of a field faculty advisor is up to each student, and aware consumers will want to know that he is, indeed, qualified within the field(s) in which he advises. In other words, a student can design a similar program and choose *anyone* who is qualified and acceptable to the university; therefore, they need to be informed about why they should choose *him*. Finally, because of the nature of the field, he should not commit the "sin of omission" by failing to note that his program will not result in psychology licensure (which requires a doctorate degree in most states). Prospective students who are considering his program should consider how the program will help their overall career goals. There are some overall truths in your message but also some misleading ones. First of all, the term 'criminal investigative psychology' was developed by me and involves specific types of data analysis and research on various types of crimes that is only done within the discipline of criminal investigative psychology. So, it is 'not' true that a student can enroll in a similar type program at Vermont College or anywhere else, because they will not be able to carry out the unique type of research that is only taught and performed within realms of investigative psychology - which originally developed in England. Further, other than paid advertising, I am bring more inquires to Vermont College than any single individual - so they tell me. Also, there is really 'no' official Master's degree offered through Vermont College since students can design their own, so your statement appears to make me look like I am misleading someone - which is not true. All individuals who inquire to me about the MA degree are told that the degree is a regular MA degree with a 'concentration' in criminal investigative psychology - as it says on my web site - clearly. The type of student that is wanting to do the MA degree with me is not interested in obtaining their psychology licensure. However, one can obtain their psychology licensure with only a Master's degree - but their work is limited. Psychology licensure is only necessary if the person is going to work with human subjects, for example, in a mental hospital.

Having the right knowledge and educational foundation can make all the difference when pursuing a career in forensic psychology. Consider the Forensic Psychology Masters Programs as a way to gain that education.

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