DOCTOR OF PSYCHOLOGY (PSYD) PROGRAM

Forensic Psychology Concentration

Forensic psychologists practice at the intersection of psychology and the law. Practice opportunities exist within court clinics, the prison system, mental health clinics that service adults, children and families, psychiatric hospitals, and private practice. Forensic psychologists frequently provide expert testimony to the courts in both criminal and civil cases on a broad array of topics, such as criminal responsibility, competence to stand trial, the legal significance of trauma-related diagnoses, child maltreatment, child custody, and juvenile delinquency.

MSPP offers a predoctoral concentration in Forensic Psychology. Students apply to the Forensic concentration in the second year or formally begin the concentration at the beginning of their third year. The Forensic concentration consists of core coursework, prerequisite courses to be completed by the end of the second year, two year-long internships at approved forensic field placement sites, and a Doctoral Project in an area relevant to forensic psychology.

Prerequisite Courses

• Psychological Testing II (Cognitive Testing)
• Projective Methods or Personality Assessment
• Cross-Cultural Psychology
• Adult Psychopathology
• Psychopathology of Childhood and Adolescence

Core Courses

• Forensic Psychology I (Children and Families)Forensic Psychology II (Adults)
• Law and Mental Health
• Advanced Topics in Forensic Psychology
• Predoctoral Internship in Forensic Psychology

Pre-Doctoral Internships in Forensic Psychology

Sites include court clinics, forensic hospital units or hospital units with forensic beds, jails or prisons, child and family forensic or mental health clinics, among others. Students must spend one year at a site related to juvenile or child and family law and a second year at a site involving adult forensic work. Students will gain experience in assessment, evaluation, testing and treatment methods for various forensic populations.

Doctoral Project

Students are required to complete a Doctoral Project in Forensic Psychology.

Upon completion of all requirements, the student will receive a certificate of achievement in the predoctoral training program in Forensic Psychology.

Faculty

Robert T. Kinscherff, PhD, JD, Co-Director

Linda Daniels, PsyD, Co-Director

Updated 11/7/07