The Master in Victimology and Deviant Behavior promotes fundamental knowledge in the field of Psychology of Justice, providing an understanding of human behavior in the contexts that Justice allow. Psychologists with this specialization will be able to develop decision-making processes and courses of action in forensic activity, in intervention with children and young people at risk, with juvenile offenders and adult offenders, as well as victims of crimes, minors and adults. Such competencies are based on the knowledge of the explanatory models of violence, crime and victimization, in its various aspects (legal, psychosocial and institutional), but also in the scientific investigation procedures for the production of knowledge in the area and an evidence based approach. The activities carried out will be guided by the ethical and deontological principles inherent to scientific research and professional practice. The course also encourages the continuation of third cycle studies.
Career opportunities
The master's degree in Victimology and Deviant Behavior prepares professionals to work, conduct research and collaborate in contexts related to justice, protection, victimisation, crime and deviant behaviour, in close articulation with multidisciplinary teams and public, private and third-sector organisations.
Career opportunities depend on the chosen specialisation area:
Specialisation in Psychology of Justice
This specialisation is intended for graduates in Psychology and provides advanced scientific and professional training relevant to psychological practice in justice, protection, and forensic contexts, in accordance with applicable legal, ethical, and professional frameworks.
Graduates may work in:
- victim support services;
- services and programmes for victims of domestic violence, sexual violence, dating violence, human trafficking, stalking and other forms of victimisation;
- child, youth, adult and vulnerability protection services;
- forensic psychological assessment and intervention contexts;
- prison, juvenile justice and social reintegration services;
- institutions working with young and adult offenders;
- technical teams supporting courts and the justice system;
- non-governmental organisations, associations, municipalities and community-based projects in the fields of prevention, protection and justice;
- research projects, programme evaluation, training and specialised consultancy.
Specialisation in Justice and Protection
This specialisation is intended for graduates from related scientific areas, such as Criminology, Law, Education, Social Work, Nursing and other relevant fields. It prepares professionals and technical staff to work in justice, protection, victim support, crime prevention and intervention with vulnerable individuals and groups.
Graduates may work in:
- victim support, protection and follow-up services;
- social, educational, community and institutional responses for children, young people, families, adults and vulnerable groups;
- institutions focused on crime prevention, violence prevention and social inclusion;
- services, projects and teams working in the areas of domestic violence, sexual violence, dating violence, human trafficking, exploitation, abuse and other forms of victimisation;
- third-sector organisations, municipalities, public institutions and community-based services;
- multidisciplinary teams connecting justice, protection, health, education and social intervention;
- diagnosis, applied research, needs assessment, programme evaluation and public policy support projects.
The programme also enables graduates to pursue third-cycle studies and to develop applied research in victimology, deviant behaviour, justice, protection and psychosocial intervention.
