Encyclopedia of Psychology and Law

of Specialties and Proficiencies in Professional

Psychology). The basic elements of specialty training

in professional psychology are graduate education

(doctoral program), internship, and postdoctoral train-

ing. This model of training is pyramidal in structure:

Students receive a broad and general education at the

graduate level, more specific applied experience at the

internship level, and advanced specialized knowledge

and skills at the postdoctoral level. An organized, sys-

temic postdoctoral program is called a residency or a

postdoctoral fellowship (these terms are interchange-

able). Although the APA does not yet accredit foren-

sic residency programs, the American Board of

Forensic Psychology has developed some interim rec-

ommendations that can be used by students who are

interested in applying to residencies.

The first formal concerted effort to develop training

models in forensic psychology was convened in 1997

(the “Villanova Conference”). The participants in that

conference discussed the entire range of training and

specifically noted that there were inadequate numbers

of postdoctoral fellowships (or residencies) to meet the

training needs of all those seeking forensic specializa-

tion. In 2001, when forensic psychology was recog-

nized as a specialty by APA, 11 residency programs in

forensic psychology were identified. A recent search

of ads in the American Psychological Association

Monitor,the Web site of the American Psychology-

Law Society, and an Internet search resulted in identi-

fication of 17 residency programs as of March 2007.

Although there may be a few more programs that were

not identified, it is clear that there are still too few pro-

grams to meet the demands of students interested in

becoming forensic psychologists. Many psychologists

will obtain alternative means of training (e.g., through

continuing education activities and individually

arranged supervision of forensic work), but residency

programs remain the “gold standard” for preparation

for forensic specialization.

Accreditation Issues

The APA’s Committee on Accreditation accredits post-

doctoral residencies, based on general principles for

such programs, buttressed by specific Specialty

Education and Training Guidelines. The Forensic

Specialty Council is the entity responsible for develop-

ing such guidelines for forensic psychology, and it is

anticipated that these will be available in 2008. In the

interim, there is no mechanism for formal accreditation

of forensic residency programs. However, the

American Board of Forensic Psychology (ABFP),

which is a Specialty Board of the American Board of

Professional Psychology (ABPP), which awards diplo-

mate status to qualified practitioners, has developed its

own guidelines. The ABFP has recognized the value

of residency training in forensic psychology and has

determined that successful completion of such a resi-

dency is considered equivalent to 4 years of postdoc-

toral experience and, thus, would meet the experiential

requirements to apply for diplomate status. The ABFP

had identified the following criteria to recognize resi-

dency programs for this purpose (with a caveat that

these will be superseded by the criteria to be developed

by the Forensic Specialty Council as noted above):

1. The residents must have completed all requirements
   for their doctoral degree, including an internship,
   prior to beginning residency training.


2. There must be an identifiable director of training
   who either has a diploma in forensic psychology
   from ABPP, has at least 5 years’ experience practic-
   ing forensic psychology, or is certified by their juris-
   diction (through statute or regulations) to perform
   forensic evaluations.


3. The residents must be formally identified as trainees,
   paid a stipend, and be given a diploma or certificate
   of completion.


4. The residency must have a structured written
   curriculum, including didactic training or a regular
   series of seminars. Although the ABFP does not
   identify a required curriculum, it does require that
   the didactic training include a course on case law,
   ethics, and sociocultural factors/ethnic factors that
   affect individuals who are provided forensic evalua-
   tions or treatment.


5. The residency must include clinical experiences in
   forensic practice.


6. The residency program must include at least 2,000
   hours of training, over a minimum 9-month period
   and a maximum of 24 months. At least 25% of the
   resident’s time must be spent providing professional
   forensic psychological services.


7. A minimum of 2 hours a week of supervision by a
   licensed psychologist is required.


8. The residency program must have a formal evalua-
   tion process that includes a written assessment of the
   resident’s progress and skill attainment.

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