Clinical Forensic Psychology & Victimology

• Only programme combining clinical forensic psychology with victimology as a core perspective Goes beyond offender-focused forensic psychology by integrating a focus on offenders and victims in one curriculum.
• Hands-on forensic skills training throughout the programme You practice through role-plays, training actors, and case simulations rather than relying mainly on lectures and theory.
• Direct training in forensic decision-making and risk assessment tools You learn to evaluate risk, deception, trauma, and psychological vulnerability using structured, applied assessment methods.
• Problem-based learning centred on real forensic cases and scenarios You work on complex cases that integrate analysis, collaboration, and application rather than separate theoretical modules.
• Preparation for both clinical practice and research in forensic mental health You develop clinical judgement, ethical reasoning, and research skills for work with offenders and victims.

Options for advanced training in clinical (forensic) psychology

Clinical

• "Gezondheidszorgpsycholoog” (2 year programme);
• "Klinisch psycholoog” (3 year programme on top of the “gezondheidszorgpsycholoog” training).

• Licensure as “Psychologische/Psychotherapeut/in” (3-year full-time or 5-year part-time) to get paid by the statutory health insurance;
• Licensure “Heilpraktiker Psychotherapie” (HPG, no extra requirements) to be legally allowed to treat patients, but not eligible to get paid by the statutory health insurance.

Scientific

• A PhD position. PhD opportunities can be found at the university but also at (forensic) mental health care institutions

Career services BSS

Your master thesis topic falls within a staff member's research project and is chosen in agreement with your thesis supervisor. The thesis project has several varieties and comprises either 10 EC for Dutch students or 20 EC for international students.

Research projects

Research projects cover a wide variety of psychological phenomena and processes that are central in the field of clinical forensic psychology and victimology, such as

• risk for re-offending;
• complicated grief and victim support;
• memory and trauma;
• trauma and dissociation, deception and malingering, sexual interest and sexual deviance;
• addictions, aggression, revenge, and forgiveness.

Staff members collaborate with mental health institutions such as the in- and outpatient clinic GGZ-Drenthe (e.g., psychotic disorders section), the in- and outpatient facilities of Verslavingszorg Noord Nederland (e.g., addictions), FPC Dr S. van Mesdag in Groningen, Forensisch Psychiatrische Kliniek in Assen, AFPN in Leeuwarden (e.g., forensic psychiatric care), and Fier Fryslan (e.g., trauma).

Professionals from these institutions also teach in the master's and share their knowledge and experience on, for instance, risk assessment in violent offenders (Dr. Marinus Spreen, FPC Dr S. van Mesdag, Stenden University) and motivating change (Dr. Eric Blaauw, VNN, Hanzehogeschool Groningen).