Apply Psychology to the Law and Legal System
In our Psy.D. Clinical Forensic Psychology program, you will gain a mastery of clinical forensic psychology, bringing broad and general concepts of clinical psychology into the legal and public policy arenas in an ethical, academically informed, and research-based manner. Guided by actively practicing scholars in the field, graduates qualify for a broad range of professional settings that require forensic assessment or clinical treatment aptitudes.
The Clinical Forensic Psychology Psy.D. curriculum exposes you to the theoretical principles, scientific research, and clinical practice skills that can help you pursue leadership roles in a variety of professional forensic settings. Course content is regularly adapted to reflect developments in the field and to emphasize critical thinking, sensitivity to ethical principles, the role of personal values, and cultural diversity.
Hands-On Training, Online Support
Combining traditional on-campus instruction with asynchronous online learning, the Psy.D. Clinical Forensic Psychology program’s blended format provides the rigorous training and flexibility you need to earn your degree without putting the rest of your life on hold.
The vast majority of your classroom instruction will take place at the Los Angeles or Anaheim campuses, with academic advisement, dissertation guidance, and support services conducted primarily online.
While some components of the program, such as practicum and internship training, require weekday availability, the weekend class schedule makes it a convenient option for working parents and other professionals with Monday through Friday commitments.
Ana Belmonte, Psy.D.
Admissions Requirements
Students applying to the Psy.D. Clinical Forensic Psychology program must submit the following:
- $50 application fee
- GPA from undergraduate and any graduate schools; generally an undergraduate or graduate GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale is required for admission
- Successful work history after completion of the baccalaureate degree
- The admission essay
- Three letters of recommendation from academic professors or supervisors from professional or volunteer experiences
- Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution
- 15 semester hours of psychology (or related field) credit at the undergraduate or graduate level, including a course in Abnormal Psychology and a course in Statistics
- The admission interview
Licensure
The Psy.D. Clinical Forensic Psychology program is designed to meet the educational requirements for licensure or certification as required for employment as a forensic psychologist. For information on whether a program at The Chicago School meets or does not meet licensure eligibility requirements for the state in which you wish to be licensed, please visit our licensure disclosures page.
Fieldwork Opportunities
Practicum
The practicum is an integral component of clinical psychology training. It provides a closely supervised clinical experience in which students use the knowledge obtained in the classroom to understand their clients and to develop skills in assessment, psychotherapy, and other discipline related areas. As such, the practicum serves to integrate the theoretical and practical aspects of the education of the professional psychologist. It allows students to become familiar with professional collaboration and consultation in a clinical setting. All students are required to complete at least six semester hours each of Assessment and Therapy practicum. Additional Advanced and Supplemental practicum experiences are available. Practicum requires successful completion of at least 1,200 hours of supervised clinical training; at least 600 hours accrued each academic year during two consecutive semesters; over at least a nine-month period; and with at least 40-60% direct service hours. Some or all Comprehensive Psychological Test Batteries may be completed at practicum.
Students registered in this program incur a one-time $195 Experiential Learning Technology Fee.
Internship
All students are required to complete an approved internship following the completion of all coursework, practicum, and dissertation requirements. At internship, students integrate academic knowledge with clinical skills and demonstrate the effective and ethical use of these skills in clinical practice. Through intensive supervised training, students gain direct experience in applying their knowledge to a clinical or clinical forensic population. Internship requires successful completion of at least 2,000 hours of supervised clinical training at a site, and with supervision, that is acceptable for licensure by the California Board of Psychology. Some or all Comprehensive Psychological Test Batteries may be completed at internship.
Additional Program Components
Clinical Forensic Competency Examinations
Students completing the Clinical Forensic Psychology Psy.D. program are required to complete the Assessment and Therapy Clinical Forensic Competency Examinations (CFCE). The aim of the Assessment CFCE is to evaluate the student’s knowledge regarding psychological testing and psychometric theory, as well as her or his ability to assess the various dimensions of human experience in an ethical, culturally sensitive, and professional manner. The goal of the Therapy CFCE is to examine the student’s ability to apply the theory, research, and practice of a chosen theory of intervention, as well as her or his ability to practice that theory competently and in an ethical, culturally sensitive, and professional manner. Ultimately, the CFCEs are both formative capstones used to measure student learning, and evaluative tools that allow the department to assess the student’s abilities as a future clinical forensic psychologist.
Dissertation
The dissertation is an essential aspect of a student’s academic experience and clinical training. The purpose of the dissertation is two-fold: 1) to provide evidence of a student’s mastery of the program’s required research and content competencies, and 2) to provide faculty with a measurement of program effectiveness. The student uses the dissertation to demonstrate mastery of four critical research objectives: 1) professionalism, 2) methodological rigor, 3) conceptual rigor, and 4) contribution to the field of clinical forensic psychology. These objectives form a summative rubric for dissertation evaluation. The student’s dissertation committee is responsible for assessing the student’s abilities and giving final approval to the dissertation.
Instructional Delivery Method
The Psy.D. Clinical Forensic Psychology program uses a blended format that combines traditional on-campus instruction with asynchronous learning elements and support services accessed online.
This blended format should not be confused with an online program; the vast majority of training and classroom instruction is conducted at our Anaheim or Los Angeles campuses. Online learning consists of watching and reading instructional material and participating in discussions on the content with faculty and classmates. Roughly 65% of each course will be completed on campus and 35% online.
On-campus classes are only scheduled on Saturdays or Sundays, ideal for working parents and other professionals with traditional Monday through Friday responsibilities.
Sample Courses
Psychopathology
This course provides an in-depth survey and understanding of the range of mental disorders. The overall objective of the course is to enable students to appropriately diagnose psychopathology for purposes of efficacious treatment and the facilitation of clear clinical dialogue and agreement with fellow professionals. The course emphasizes research as it pertains to empirically-based treatments for a variety of mental health disorders. Additionally, issues of culture and gender as they relate to mental health diagnoses are discussed. Diagnostic criteria are drawn primarily from the DSM-V-TR with some contribution from other sources considered as appropriate.
Clinical and Diagnostic Interviewing
This course addresses theoretical and practical issues related to clinical forensic interviewing and diagnosing that include information gathering, effective listening, rapport building, and the assessment of mental status. In addition, the impact of culture and diversity on interviewing and diagnosing are explored.
Mental Health Law
This course explores in an advanced manner landmark legal cases that have shaped the activities and practices of mental health professionals, the civil rights of persons with mental disabilities, and the uses of mental health knowledge within the legal arena. Students are exposed to the legal system, constitutional law, and case law. Topics covered include, but are not limited to expert witness testimony, criminal responsibility (insanity), civil commitment (including that of sex offenders), civil and criminal competencies, confidentiality, and professional liability.
Career Pathways
Graduates from the in-person Clinical Forensic Psychology Psy.D. program are prepared to apply their skills to a variety of fields and professions, including:
- Child welfare agencies
- Forensic units in state mental health facilities
- Jails and prisons
- Community mental health centers
- Juvenile correctional facilities
- Family courts
- Private practice
- Social service agencies
Career Outcomes
The Chicago School prepares you to make an impact in a variety of high-demand careers. Below, you will find possible career options and salaries associated with this degree.
Data is pulled by a third-party tool called Lightcast, which includes data from sources including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the U.S. Census Bureau, online job postings, and other government databases. The information below represents a regional and national career outlook related to this degree program*. The Chicago School is dedicated to assisting you in achieving your career goals.
*Many degree programs are intended to fulfill licensure requirements in specific states. The data shown here may not represent the state where you currently reside. For more information on how this program is applicable to the requirements of your state, please speak with your admissions representative.
Financing Your Education
The Chicago School is dedicated to keeping our professional degree programs accessible to anyone regardless of financial status. In addition to the scholarships that may be available, our Financial Aid Department will provide you with information to determine what financial arrangements are right for you.
Psy.D. Clinical Forensic Psychology FAQs
How long is the Psy.D. Clinical Forensic Psychology program and what will I learn?
Our Psy.D. Clinical Forensic Psychology program spans four years. It offers a deep dive into the realms of forensic psychology, blending academic theory with essential practical skills tailored to the forensic psychology field.
What exams are part of the Psy.D. Clinical Forensic Psychology program?
Students will need to prepare for the Assessment and Therapy Clinical Forensic Competency Examination (CFCE). This encompasses psychological testing, psychometric theory, and ethical, culturally sensitive assessment and intervention techniques.
What are the admission requirements for the Psy.D. Clinical Forensic Psychology program?
Entrance to the Psy.D. Clinical Forensic Psychology program requires a $50 application fee, a strong post-baccalaureate work history, an admission essay, three recommendation letters, a bachelor's degree with a 3.0 or higher GPA, and 15 semester hours in psychology or related fields, including Abnormal Psychology and Statistics.
Will this program help me become a Licensed Forensic Psychologist?
Yes, our Psy.D. in forensic psychology program is tailored to meet the educational requirements for licensure, equipping students to become certified forensic psychologists. The curriculum is regularly updated to align with current state licensure criteria. The Psy.D. degree itself does not constitute licensure. Graduates must complete additional supervised experience and pass any relevant certification examinations, e.g., EPPP, CSPE, etc.
What kind of hands-on training will I get in this program?
Students in our Psy.D. Clinical Forensic Psychology program complete more than 1,200 hours in practicum and a 2,000-hour internship. This hands-on training includes supervised clinical experiences in assessment and psychotherapy, alongside real casework. Students also engage in professional collaborations and supervised consultations in clinical settings. The practicum and internship are designed to integrate academic learning with practical skills, preparing students for diverse roles in forensic psychology.
What additional learning does the program include?
Besides core coursework, our Psy.D. Clinical Forensic Psychology program includes Clinical Forensic Competency Examinations (CFCE), a research dissertation, and specialized courses such as Psychopathology, Clinical and Diagnostic Interviewing, and Mental Health Law.
What jobs can I get with a Psy.D. Clinical Forensic Psychology?
With a Psy.D. Clinical Forensic Psychology, subsequent licensure and any other fieldwork requirements of a given state, graduates can pursue careers in child welfare agencies, mental health facilities, correctional institutions, community centers, family courts, private practice, and various social service agencies.
Are scholarships available for the Psy.D. Clinical Forensic Psychology program?
The Chicago School provides various financial aid options, including scholarships. The Financial Aid Department will help you figure out the most suitable financial arrangements for your situation.
What kind of thesis is required for the Forensic Psychology programs?
For the Clinical Forensic Psychology doctoral program, a dissertation is required.
What are the core competencies taught in Forensic Psychology programs?
A Forensic Psychology doctoral student can expect to learn how the general concepts of clinical psychology are applied to a legal and public policy lens. The core competencies of this program are theoretical principles, scientific research, and clinical practice skills to prepare students to enter the field of clinical forensic psychology.
Can I become a licensed psychologist with a Forensic Psychology degree?
Yes, the Psy.D. Clinical Forensic Psychology program at The Chicago School meets the requirements for licensure or certification as required to pursue a career as a psychologist in a majority of the states. Check the licensure disclosures of the full list of states where this Forensic Psychology program meets the licensure requirements.
6:00pm - 7:00 pm
