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The Chicago School of Professional Psychology Announces Nation's First Psy.D. Program in Clinical Forensic Psychology

Posted on: Tuesday, 21 April 2009, 14:51 CDT

CHICAGO and LOS ANGELES, April 21 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Seven years after becoming the Midwest's first graduate school to offer a master's degree in Forensic Psychology, The Chicago School of Professional Psychology is expanding its forensic offerings with a new doctoral program designed for individuals seeking to advance their career in the law and legal sectors. Classes for the Psy.D. in Clinical Forensic Psychology will begin this fall at the school's Chicago Campus at 325 N. Wells St. and the Merchandise Mart. The Southern California version of the program started this past January at the school's downtown Los Angeles Campus, 617 W. 7th St.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090409/CSOPPLOGO)

The program, including dissertation, is designed to be completed in four to five years. Two practicum experiences and a full-time internship will provide students their field work training to be eligible for licensure in California or Illinois.

Students entering the program in Chicago also will immediately have the opportunity to gain hands-on experience at The Chicago School's Forensic Center. As the practice arm of the Department of Forensic Psychology, the center brings students together with local organizations on projects that bolster hands-on learning experiences while addressing unmet needs in the community. Students benefit from the opportunity to put classroom instruction into practice in real-world settings that range from the Juvenile Probation and Court Services Department of Cook County and Illinois Department of Children and Family Service agencies to women's shelters and programs for ex-offenders. Doctoral candidates at the Chicago Campus also will have an opportunity to focus their education in one of four concentration areas: Adult, Child and Family, Forensic Neuropsychology, and Generalist.

"The more we work in the community with forensic populations, the more we see a need for advanced and dedicated training in the area of forensic psychology, which this doctoral program will provide," said Dr. Michael Fogel, department chair. "Speaking on behalf of our practitioner faculty, I look forward to working with our first class of Psy.D. students in the Forensic Center and on other projects that serve the community."

Students joining the program in Southern California will benefit from relationships with the Los Angeles Police Department, City Attorney's Office, and organizations such as the Midnight Mission, Downtown Women's Center, and Weingart Center Association. The program is delivered in a unique every-other-weekend format.

"I want the Clinical Forensic Psychology program in Los Angeles to provide students with the building blocks and guidance for the career they will pursue," said Dr. Debra Warner, the program's lead faculty. "I see them as outstanding future colleagues in the field and will do everything I can to assist, open doors, and provide opportunity."

The training and experience delivered on each campus and in the field will position students to advance or enter the growing profession of forensic services. Child welfare agencies, law enforcement agencies, court services, correctional facilities, and government agencies all represent the types of career paths available to graduates.

Since its origins in 2002, the Department of Forensic Psychology has seen more than 300 of its graduates enter the field. Today, alumni hold positions such as mental health clinician, program supervisor, behavior treatment director, child and adolescent counselor, victim advocate, probation officer, and mitigation specialist.

The department is currently accepting applications for the inaugural Psy.D. Clinical Forensic Psychology class. For more information, visit www.thechicagoschool.edu or call 800.721.8072.

For more information about the Forensic Center, visit www.forensiccenter.org.

SOURCE The Chicago School of Professional Psychology

Source: PR Newswire

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