The Postgraduate Programme (MSc) in “Forensic Psychiatry” of the School of Medicine of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens aims to provide high-level postgraduate education and specialization in the broad, evolving, and interdisciplinary field of Forensic Psychiatry, while also promoting research in the relevant academic area.
The Programme offers students a strong theoretical and specialized postgraduate background, combined with clinical and practical training necessary for addressing issues within the field of Forensic Psychiatry. It equips graduates with scientific knowledge, professional skills, and applied expertise in this dynamic area of contemporary science.
The main objectives of the Programme are:
- To provide comprehensive knowledge in Forensic Psychiatry, including elements of Psychiatry, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychology, Nursing, Law, Forensic Medicine, Ethics and Deontology, Bioethics, Social Reintegration and Rehabilitation, and Research Methodology.
- To develop skills in the assessment, care, monitoring, and management of dangerousness and violent behavior in individuals with mental disorders.
- To prepare graduates to serve as forensic psychiatrists, expert witnesses, and technical consultants in judicial proceedings, as well as in the care and management of mentally ill offenders.
- To equip professionals with the competencies required for successful careers in the private, public, and academic sectors.
- To contribute to the staffing and development of forensic psychiatric services in Greece, in accordance with national and European obligations.
More specifically, the Programme provides specialized training to professionals from psychiatry, psychology, law, nursing, social work, and related disciplines in the understanding, recognition, management, and treatment of violence, aggression, delinquency, and mental health issues, enabling them to effectively contribute to judicial processes involving forensic psychiatric cases.
Learning Outcomes of the Postgraduate Programme
The curriculum of the MSc in “Forensic Psychiatry” aims to provide comprehensive theoretical, research, and clinical training in the academic and applied field of Forensic Psychiatry.
Upon completion of the Program, graduates will have been trained and specialized in the broad and evolving field of forensic psychiatry, acquiring all the necessary knowledge, attitudes, and skills required.
Specifically, upon successful completion of the Program requirements, graduates will be able to:
- Recognize the principles, content, and fields of application of Forensic Psychiatry within their professional context.
- Apply the biopsychosocial model in understanding and managing mental and physical health.
- Understand the fundamental concepts of law and the justice system.
- Recognize the main branches of legal science, including constitutional and criminal law.
- Understand the principles of criminology and its connection to justice and forensic psychiatric practice.
- Conduct basic psychiatric assessments and use classification systems of mental disorders.
- Recognize the relationship between mental disorders and violent and aggressive behavior, as well as basic theories of behavior and development.
- Understand the role of neurosciences in the study of human behavior and aggression.
- Apply principles of research methodology and scientific ethics in Forensic Psychiatry.
- Identify the components and forms of violence and evaluate forensic findings related to them.
- Apply toxicological knowledge in criminal cases and interpret relevant findings.
- Manage and address violent and aggressive behaviors in various professional settings.
- Recognize mental disorders associated with delinquency, including comorbidity and dual diagnosis.
- Identify and assess personality disorders related to criminal and delinquent behavior.
- Describe and evaluate forms of sexual offenses and contribute to their prevention and management.
- Analyze the relationship between addictions and delinquency and apply skills in managing related cases.
- Assess the risk of violent behavior and apply prevention and intervention strategies.
- Prepare forensic psychiatric expert reports and work as expert witnesses or technical consultants.
- Apply forensic psychiatric knowledge in outpatient services, prisons, forensic psychiatric detention facilities, and community settings.
- Collaborate effectively within interdisciplinary teams and use a shared professional language to develop best practices.