The unpredictability of the patients and the complexity of the cases in both the forensic and legal field make this master a perfect fit for those that desire a genuine brain-cracking challenge.
Arvind Chierandjoe
Student Forensic and Legal Psychology
Near the end of the bachelor programme in Psychology at EUR, I struggled with choosing a consecutive master study that would complement my previous knowledge in psychology and philosophy. Although clinical psychology attracted me, I liked to experience a side of the clinical setting in which clients did not really want the help they needed. From my perspective, that would be a challenge. The forensic side of psychology is one that distinguishes itself with such complex psychopathology and challenges. This is exactly why I chose Forensic and Legal Psychology at EUR. Besides your skills and knowledge as a forensic professional, the study provides the opportunity to delve deeper into the legal side of psychology as well. Legal psychology entails the psychology behind the legal procedures that occur in a judicial setting. An example would be examining whether a photo line-up procedure has been executed correctly when screening for suspects by the police.
During the programme, I had great assistance from the professors that complemented the already interesting topics of the study material. This is especially noteworthy as I almost followed the whole master during one of the lockdowns due to COVID-19. By being experts in the fields, they are able to clarify nuances and portray the knowledge needed in a clear fashion. Both the forensic and legal fieldwork with evidence-based research offer the right set of circumstances to get even more common in the academic world. After completing the master, I expect to be proficient as a forensic and legal professional.
Although I am not entirely sure whether to pursue a PhD or start working as a forensic psychologist, the master has guided me towards the academic field as well as towards the clinical field. Especially doing a practical internship besides (or after) the mandatory curriculum is recommended when wanting to work hands-on with patients in a forensic clinic or a penitentiary institution. The unpredictability of the patients and the complexity of the cases in both the forensic and legal field make this master a perfect fit for those that desire a genuine brain-cracking challenge.