Forensic Psychology
Forensic psychology is the application of the science and profession of psychology to questions and issues relating to law and the legal system. Some common areas of practice and research in forensic psychology are:
- Psychological evaluation and expert testimony regarding criminal forensic issues such as trial competency, waiver of Miranda rights, criminal responsibility, death penalty mitigation, battered woman syndrome, domestic violence, drug dependence, and sexual disorders
- Testimony and evaluation regarding civil issues such as personal injury, child custody, employment discrimination, mental disability, product liability, professional malpractice, civil commitment, and guardianship
- Assessment, treatment and consultation regarding individuals with a high risk for aggressive behavior in the community, in the workplace, in treatment settings and in correctional facilities
- Research, testimony, and consultation on psychological issues impacting on the legal process, such as eyewitness testimony, jury selection, children's testimony, repressed memories and pretrial publicity
- Specialized treatment service to individuals involved with the legal system
- Consultation to lawmakers about public policy issues with psychological implications
- Consultation and training to law enforcement, criminal justice and correctional systems
- Consultation and training to mental health systems and practitioners on forensic issues
- Mediation and conflict resolution
- Policy and program development in the psychology-law arena
- Teaching, training and supervision of graduate students, psychology, and psychiatry interns/residents, and law students
The Forensic Psychology concentration is an emphasis within the greater Clinical PhD program. As such, the focus of our training program is Clinical-Forensic in nature. To learn more about the various sub-disciplines of legal psychology (including Clinical-Forensic Psychology), visit the American Psychology Law Society's (APLS; APA Division 41) Web site at www.unl.edu/ap-ls/student/careers.html. At PGSP, students receive training in the broader practitioner-scientist Ph.D. program while learning to apply their clinical and research skills to forensic issues. The forensic program emphasizes didactic learning as well as research and clinical experience.
The Forensic Psychology concentration includes:
5 course sequence
- Introduction to Forensic Psychology
- Advanced Forensic Psychology
- Forensic Assessment
- Advanced Ethical, Legal and Clinical Issues in the Professional Practice of Psychology (emphasis on the interface between psychology and the legal system)
- Advanced seminar (previous offerings have included Child Custody, Expert Testimony, Cross Cultural Issues in Forensic Psychology, and Psychopathy)
Research
Participation on a forensic research team affords the opportunity to gain experience in forensic research. Each student is strongly encouraged to be actively engaged in research throughout graduate training and complete a forensically-oriented dissertation project.
Clinical Practice
Students are encouraged to complete at least one forensic practicum placement during their training. Potential training sites include jails, prisons, forensic psychiatric hospitals, and conditional release programs.
All students in the forensic psychology concentration are expected to maintain a minimum GPA of 3.5 and remain in good academic standing during graduate training.