Program description
The program brings together the SUNY Upstate Medical University Department of Psychiatry, the Syracuse University College of Law, and the Office of Mental Health Bureau of Forensic Services to provide didactic and clinical training in psychiatry and the law. The emphasis of this program is on: didactics, forensic evaluations, report writing, testimony and forensic research. Fellows are heavily exposed to civil, as well as criminal forensic work.

The entire series of AAPL landmark cases is covered in detail. Fellows are closely supervised and taught critical forensic interviewing skills. Instruction in a variety of forensic assessment tools is provided, including the HCR-20, PCL-R, SIRS, CAPS and SAVRY.

The program hosts an annual state-wide forensic conference featuring nationally known speakers. Fellows receive regular and intensive supervision from the program director, and assist with special interest forensic issues including threat assessments, law enforcement liaison and a variety of other specialty evaluations. There are special opportunities available for applicants who are particularly interested in either child/adolescent forensic psychiatry or correctional psychiatry.

A forensic research project is a required element of this training program. This offers fellows practical exposure to the process of formulating a research question, data collection and analysis, and manuscript preparation -- authorship is guaranteed for those interested. However, the expectation of creating original research or converting fellows into full-time researchers is not the intended goal. Expert faculty mentoring and dedicated research time (during the regular work week) are provided for this unique fellowship component.
This is a one year program.
2019-2020 Fellowship Positions: FULL
2020-2021 Fellowship Position: Currently two open positions.