I am 4 weeks away from finishing my degree in Psychology (UK uni! ) and I am currently considering a Masters in Forensic Psychology. I have struggled with my degree, however I am expected to get a low 2.1 sort of around 63-65% however I still have my dissertation results and exams to sit before my final grade.

I have received an email for a tutor at uni asking if a Masters would interest me. I replied yes and she has gone out her way to send me all the forms and applications. I had not realised I had to propose a study for my Masters dissertation prior to enrolling on the course.

I was wondering if anyone out here, knows anything about a Masters n Forensic Psychology who can help me out a bit. With how hard it is, how much stats involved. My main query is how important it is that your dissertation relates to what you are interested in future work. Do employers require to know what your dissertation was on, or is it more just interested that you have a Masters.

I aks this because I have currently done my 3rd year dissertation on something very interesting (Forensic related) but more so police work based, than prison and secure units, hospitals etc etc. I have thoroughly enjoyed it and would LOVE to carry out my propose further/follow up studies for my Masters, however I am interested in a career working more with patients than police work, (I think but not entirely sure). WOuld this be a silly option to go down if I think I would rather work with patients (hence more sense doing a dissertation on patient based work) or should I do something I have enjoyed and feel comfortable with.

Basically my main question is how specific is the dissertation to getting a future job, does it rely on what the dissertation was on, or focus on having the Masters in general?

Many thanks!

Can anyone relate this to any degree, not just Psychology. I just would like to know whether future employers, say at an interview would ask you about your dissertation, or whether it more in general a recognition of a Masters?

I'm currently in grad school in Norway... and I'm spending this semester in the US... I don't know how employers in the UK relate to this... but I know that in Norway it isn't really the topic of your dissertaion/thesis that is important in connection with future jobs... this is what's seen as important, however:

1. What field you've studied... i.e. in your case For. Phsyc... (In my case, Social science and humanities)

2. That you completed the master program within a "normal" time fram... e.g. my master is a two year program. So for my future employees they'll most likely look at if I complete it within 2- 2 1/2 years... and if I spend longer on it they will prob ask question as to why it got delayed.

Although if you write about a subject that you like and you're interested in you might get lucky and find a job where you can use it...

And they might always ask questions related to you're thesis though: why did you chose this subject etc. they might also look at the grade.. but the latter is something you can worry about later though.

Also I think that in general employers put the usual stuff on this list:

1. Are you right for the job?
2. previous work experience... and so on...

Did this help?

No problem :) Glad I could be helpful!