Program description
Founded by Seymour Pollack in 1975, the forensic psychiatry fellowship at USC/LA General was one of the first programs of its kind.
Our ACGME-accredited, full-time, one-year fellowship program is comprised of lectures, seminars, first-hand experience, and expert supervision from psychiatrists board-certified in forensic psychiatry, as well as forensic psychologists. Fellows are directly involved with hospitals, county jails, juvenile justice agencies, dependency courts, the Los Angeles County Mental Health Court - and other agencies in which mental health and the law are intertwined. Additionally, forensic psychiatry fellows have numerous opportunities to serve as expert witnesses, analyze cases, prepare reports, and deliver testimony, all while benefiting from close supervision and guidance from experienced faculty members. Fellows work closely with faculty on multiple scholarly projects, including presentations and submissions for national professional meetings and publications.
Comprehensive didactic courses include lessons in a variety of areas including:
• Biological, psychological, and sociological determinants of crime and delinquency
• Civil law
• Criminal law
• Family law
• Federal criminal law
• Juvenile & Dependency law
• Mental health law
• Correctional psychiatry
• Biases applicable to forensic assessments
• Landmark mental health cases (including all AAPL-specified cases)

Additional benefits include health/dental insurance, malpractice insurance, meal reimbursement, parking, initial bonus, educational stipend, 24 days of vacation, and 8 paid sick days.