Become a Psychologist

The Post-doctoral Residency (Fellowship) Program in Forensic Psychology offers residents a year of seminars and supervised clinical and research experiences that are intended to prepare scientist-practitioners for a career as Forensic Psychologists. We anticipate that we will have 3 positions for the 2015-2016 Academic year (September - August). The Program is directed by Ira K. Packer, Ph.D.

Entering its 27th year, the Residency Program is administered by the Law-Psychiatry Program, Department of Psychiatry, University of Massachusetts Medical School (UMMS). The program is funded by a contract from the Massachusetts Department of Mental Health’s Forensic Services, in collaboration with the Department of Correction. Upon completion of their training, many of our residents have taken early-career positions with the Commonwealth's forensic mental health services, while others have taken both applied and academic positions in other jurisdictions.

The Law-Psychiatry Program at UMMS trains both forensic psychology and forensic psychiatry residents. While the applied forensic experience and supervision are somewhat different for these two sets of fellows, they participate in one didactic program which includes clinical and legal components.

The Program's objectives are consistent with recent trends in training in psychology, which encourage a general pre-doctoral internship followed by a post-doctoral year of training in a specialty. In many states, these two years satisfy the experience requirements for licensing as a psychologist. The Program is also designed to provide the necessary training and experience for certification as a “Designated Forensic Psychologist", which is required by state regulations for public sector forensic mental health positions in Massachusetts.

Advanced study in forensic psychology requires the development of a thorough knowledge of mental health law, both federal and state, related to forensic clinical populations and forensic evaluations. Equally important is an understanding of the relevant legal and mental health systems and agencies. In addition, residents are trained to apply psychological principles and knowledge to the legal system. The Program provides residents the opportunity to acquire this knowledge through various rotations and didactic training.

Our Forensic Psychology Residency focuses on the application of clinical psychology in service to the legal system, to individuals about whom the legal system must make decisions, and to other clinical populations for whom clinical decisions may be of legal importance. The Program provides training and experience in forensic clinical assessment, especially in evaluations for questions such as competence to stand trial, criminal responsibility, violence risk assessment, sentencing, civil commitment, commitment of substance abusers, and need for treatment. The didactic training covers the breath of areas in Forensic Psychology, including both criminal and civil areas.