Post-Doctoral Fellowship in Forensic Psychology

Overview

The Forensic Evaluation Department in the Direct Care and Treatment Administration's Forensic Services division, in collaboration with the University of Minnesota Forensic Psychiatry Fellowship, offers a postdoctoral forensic psychology fellowship program for individuals interested in gaining expertise in the area of forensic evaluation.

Advanced postdoctoral forensic training is essential for individuals who wish to pursue a career in forensic psychology. The forensic psychology postdoctoral fellowship at Forensic Services offers a unique opportunity to develop the high level of specialized expertise required by a forensic expert.

We seek to prepare professional psychologists to be highly competent and ethical forensic examiners capable of excellence in professional practice. Further, the fellowship program aims to prepare fellows for forensic board certification. To meet that end, the fellowship is an academic environment with a focus on forensic literature and assessment methods.

We provide a multitude of training opportunities through didactic exercises, case law study, case conferences, literature reviews, and close supervision of all aspects of the completion of a variety of forensic cases. The fellowship program also collaborates with the University of Minnesota Forensic Psychiatry Fellowship for additional training opportunities.

Our training program strongly values interdisciplinary training and reflects the multidisciplinary nature of Forensic Services. We believe the diverse perspectives and teamwork of individuals representing different professional disciplines contribute to the training of postdoctoral fellows. The selected fellows will consult and collaborate with psychiatrists, nurses, social workers, behavioral analysts, unit directors, security counselors, and administrators during the fellowship year.

Program Goals and Training

The primary goal of the training program is to prepare fellows to be highly competent forensic examiners capable of independent practice. As such, the training at Forensic Services will be professionally challenging.

The selected fellows will observe and participate in all aspects of the forensic evaluation process, including interviewing defendants/patients; making collateral contacts; administering and interpreting psychological and specialized forensic instruments; and writing clear and concise reports that address the referral question(s). Fellows may also be called upon to testify throughout the fellowship year. 

Fellows are expected to spend approximately 65% of their time in the process of conducting forensic evaluations, while approximately 35% of the work week is allotted for other training activities. The supervision requirements of the fellowship fulfill the requirements for psychology licensure in the state of Minnesota. Further, the fellowship program at Forensic Services has been formally determined to meet the criteria for the American Board of Forensic Psychology (ABFP) five-year experience waiver.

To Apply

Please download and read the full program description and application packet for detailed information about the fellowship and the requirements and deadlines for submitting an application.

For More Information

Email Dr. Jacob Chavez at jacob.chavez@state.mn.us or call 507-340-9357.