MSc Psychology of Coercive Control

The MSc Psychology of Coercive Control at the University of Salford offers an in-depth exploration of the psychological processes behind controlling and abusive behaviour across contexts like domestic relationships, trafficking, and organisations. It suits practitioners, researchers or professionals who work with survivors or want to influence policy, prevention or recovery through psychological insight. 

Curriculum Structure:
In the first year (or first part of the part-time route), students study The Aetiology & Psychology of Coercive Control, where they examine how coercive behaviour develops in relationships and its psychological impacts, and The Anatomy of Coercive Control in Comparative Contexts, which compares how control plays out in different social and legal environments. They also complete Psychological Approaches to Recovery from Coercive Control, learning about therapeutic models that support survivors across diverse settings. Research training comes through Building a Research Evidence Base for the Psychology of Coercive Control, which equips learners with systematic review skills and prepares them for an independent Dissertation on a topic of their choice. 

Focus areas:
“development of coercive behaviour; recovery psychology; comparative policy contexts; evidence-based research”

Learning outcomes:
Graduates will understand coercive control from a psychological and systemic perspective, apply therapeutic and recovery frameworks, design and critique research in coercion, and carry out a rigorous dissertation relevant to practice or policy.

Professional alignment (accreditation):
This MSc supports careers in social services, domestic abuse support, legal or policy roles, and provides a strong foundation for doctoral study in psychology or related fields.

Reputation (employability):
Salford is recognized for its applied psychology programmes, and this specialisation in coercive control responds to growing national demand for trained specialists in abuse prevention, recovery, and policy development.