California School of Forensic Studies

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Dean, Califonia School of Forensic Studies:
Eric W. Hickey, PhD
Phone: 559-253-2226
E-mail: ehickey@alliant.edu

The California School of Forensic Studies, one of five Schools within Alliant International University, specializes in training professionals to become well-rounded practitioners who possess broad-based knowledge of both psychology and the law, and who are able to apply their skills in a variety of legal questions forensic settings and practice issues.

These settings can include working in the criminal justice system providing direct services, such as in correctional facilities and agencies, or mental hospitals that house forensic clients. It also includes conducting relevant research, consultation to attorneys, conducting court ordered evaluations, serving as an expert witness and assisting with jury selection in civil and criminal settings.

The California School of Forensic Studies offers a series of degree choices. Three Doctoral degrees and one Terminal Master’s degree are available. The specific programs and degree requirements are described in detail below.

In addition to rigorous academic training students in the Forensic Clinical PhD and Forensic PsyD programs are expected to acquire experience in assessment and treatment through field training in a variety of settings. Forensic Psychology, Policy and Justice PhD students are expected to obtain experience in research and policy development through placement with agencies in the community. All students are expected to become acquainted with and stay abreast of the current research in their chosen field.

Forensic Psychology Programs: Fresno, Irvine, Sacramento, San Diego and Los Angeles

The California School of Forensic Studies offers the opportunity for specialty study within areas of Forensic Psychology. Emphasis areas may vary by program location as a reflection of faculty expertise and interest.

The programs offered by the California School of Forensic Studies are year-round programs consisting of two full semesters (Fall and Spring) and two shorter terms (Winter and Summer). Students should expect a year-round educational and professional training experience.

Forensic psychology is a rapidly growing field. In California alone, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation has the largest staff of any state department; it is one of the largest employers of forensic psychologists in the country. Crime has increased in many of our communities, and the complexity of the issues in many criminal cases, as well as in family law and civil cases, is increasing the need for experts who understand the legal questions at hand as well as the psychological issues involved. These experts are trained forensic psychologists. 

Which Program is Right for You?

The California School of Forensic Studies offers several degree options: an online only Master of Arts in Criminal Justice Administration and Leadership; the Forensic Psychology PsyD; the Forensic Psychology Clinical PhD; and the Forensic Psychology, Policy, and Justice PhD.

PsyD in Forensic Psychology (Fresno, Los Angeles, Sacramento, San Diego and Irvine)

The Forensic Psychology PsyD emphasizes the application of clinical and forensic psychological theory and practice in varied settings. These settings may include prison systems, jails, juvenile halls, courts, private practice, hospitals and police departments. The distinction between the Forensic Psychology PhD and the Forensic Psychology PsyD is one of career emphasis. The PsyD is a shorter – four year – program (when attending full time) as a result of reduced emphasis on research and policy. The PsyD program prepares students to work as professional, licensed psychologists in forensic settings rather than emphasizing administration. However, research skills are obtained and may comprise a facet of one’s forensic practice. PsyD students will receive training and practical experience working with clients in forensic settings described above.

PhD in Forensic Psychology, Clinical Licensure Track (Fresno)

The Forensic Psychology, Clinical PhD is a five year program with a research emphasis, but with additional focus on obtaining clinical licensure and professional practice. In the Forensic Clinical PhD program, students are trained as forensic clinicians, where the focus is on working with forensic populations. Coursework emphasizes an integration between forensic clinical psychology, forensic research, criminology and law.

PhD in Forensic Psychology, Policy and Law Track (Fresno)

The Forensic Psychology, Policy, and Law PhD is a four-year program that emphasizes psycho-legal research, training, and theoretical applications of forensic psychology in academic, organizational, and policy-making settings. Psychological and behavioral assumptions underlie all laws and public policy. The goal of the program is to train students to identify, evaluate, and test these behavioral assumptions and to subsequently offer empirically based policy recommendations. It draws from a number of different fields within psychology including biological, clinical, cognitive, and social that may be applied to issues as diverse as child custody, competency, eyewitness identification, expert testimony, and forensic evaluation efficacy, to name just a few. The Policy and Law PhD program in Forensic Psychology, offered at this time only in Fresno, prepares students for careers in academics, business, government, and a variety of mental health and criminal and civil justice systems. In addition, the program is dedicated to producing scholars who will conduct research in both academic and government institutions, examine policy initiatives, and provide advocacy, lobbying and mediation skills to special interest organizations, profit/nonprofit corporations and governmental agencies. Thus, graduates of the program are prepared to play meaningful and significant roles in all aspects of the psychology, policy, and law interface.

Doctoral Program Information

The policies and procedures herein apply strictly to California School of Forensic Studies students. In cases where CSFS policies differ from those outlined in any Alliant International University catalog, handbook, or brochure, the policies and procedures herein will supersede any general Alliant International University policies or procedures.

Students must refer to Alliant International University guidelines – generally found in the Alliant catalog – for any policies or procedures not specifically addressed herein. 

Professional Conduct

The California School of Forensic Studies holds its students to the highest of standards regarding ethical and professional conduct. These standards may be in addition to or may exceed those detailed elsewhere in the Alliant Catalog or Graduate Student Handbook. The faculty maintains the traditional academic prerogative to grant degrees based on their judgment regarding the candidate’s ability to function professionally and ethically as a psychologist. Likewise, the faculty maintains the prerogative to determine that a student may not be a good match for the California School of Forensic Studies. Students demonstrating unethical or unprofessional conduct, or tendencies toward such conduct, will have their behavior documented in their record and may be dismissed from the program.

Admission Terms

Students are generally admitted to the California School of Forensic Studies doctoral programs for the Fall Semester. Students are urged to explore their financial aid options prior to planning for admission; the number of per-term units may have an impact on aid availability.

Graduate Program Prerequisites

Applicants to the California School of Forensic Studies’ doctoral programs who hold a degree in a field other than Psychology, must have completed courses in Introductory Psychology, Statistics and Abnormal Psychology. Other courses may be required to meet conditional admissions requirements on a case by case basis. Applicants who hold a degree other than in Criminology, Criminal Justice or Administration of Justice must have completed a course representing an overview of the field.

Graduate Record Examination (GRE)

Applicants to the California School of Forensic Studies’ doctoral programs may require GRE General Test scores in order to be considered for admission. The CSFS does not currently have a minimum requirement but may use the scores as partial indicators of scholastic ability for those who wish to submit their scores. Subject Test scores are not required at this time.

Scientific Writing Proficiency

Students may be required, prior to or at any time during their graduate education, to sit for a writing proficiency examination. Should a student not meet specific standards of scientific writing, as determined by the quality of completed coursework or by examination, the student will be required to complete a one-unit course on technical writing for the social sciences.

Academic Standing

Students in the California School of Forensic Studies are required to maintain exemplary academic standing; students must maintain a minimum G.P.A. of 3.0 at all times. Students may receive one grade of C in an academic course without requiring remediation as long as the student’s G.P.A. does not go below 3.0.

A grade of C minus or lower in any academic course will require the student to retake the course the next time it is offered. Two consecutive grades of C or lower for a given academic course or two grades of C or lower within a single semester will require that the student be placed on academic probation and that he or she participate in an individual academic remediation plan. Failure to meet the goals of the remediation plan or to bring his/her GPA up to a minimum of 3.0 within one semester will result in the student’s dismissal from the program.

Serious concern received during a student’s practicum placement will automatically require an individual remediation plan. The remediation plan will include the requirement of additional practicum training, during which time the student will demonstrate the clinical skills expected at that level of training. Other recommendations may be made to assist in remediation of the specific problem area. Failure to meet the goals of the remediation plan based on practicum performance may result in the student’s dismissal from the program.

Grades of Incomplete versus In Progress: Students may receive a grade of Incomplete for a course when severe extenuating circumstances make it impossible for the student to complete the course requirements on time. Students must arrange in advance of the course conclusion for an Incomplete grade with the course instructor and with the Program Director. Students do not re-register in the course; however, the coursework must be completed no later than the end of the following term. Grades of Incomplete that are not removed by the end of the next term will be converted automatically to an “F” grade.

A grade of In Progress (IP) is reserved for cases in which the requirements, usually relating to practicum hours, theses and dissertations, were not expected to be met by the end of the given term. For example: a practicum that is not scheduled to terminate prior to the end of the term will receive an IP at the end of the term. The IP will be converted to a letter grade once the requirements have been met (within the approved timeframe). The IP carries the understanding that the work to date has been satisfactory unless otherwise documented

Transferring to Another Campus/Program within the CSFS

Transfers to another campus or program within the California School of Forensic Studies will be considered on a case-by-case basis only for those students in good academic, ethical and professional standing. Students must petition for such a transfer and the transfer must be approved by the Program Director for the program or campus from which you wish to transfer and the program/campus to you wish to transfer.

Comprehensive Exams

All Forensic Psychology Doctoral students will be required to pass comprehensive competency-based examinations prior to advancing to their third year. Students will be required to pass their comprehensive examinations prior to advancement to doctoral candidacy and prior to applying for internship. Students may sit for the exam a maximum of three times. Failure to pass the examination on the third attempt will result in the student’s immediate dismissal from the program.

Therapy Requirement

Prior to their internship year, students in the Forensic PsyD Program and the PhD Forensic Clinical Program are required to complete thirty (30) hours of therapy. Personal psychotherapy must be completed with a licensed psychologist, who has obtained their PhD or PsyD. It is the students responsibility to ensure the selected provider meets this criteria prior to starting the required hours. Psychotherapy hours completed with an MFT or LCSW do not meet this requirement.

Through firsthand exposure to the therapeutic process, students have the opportunity to view psychotherapy from a different perspective. This experience provides students with increased awareness of their own behavior in a supportive environment.

Competencies

By the time our doctoral students reach graduation, they should demonstrate a mastery of knowledge-based, research-based and practice-based competencies appropriate to their educational speciality.

I. Knowledge-based competencies:

Students are expected to have knowledge of the basic concepts and principles of the substantive content areas appropriate to their chosen specialty and to have the ability to evaluate these concepts and principles.

II. Research-based competencies:

The capstone of the PhD degree is an independent scholarly work representing an original contribution to knowledge. Students are expected to develop sufficient knowledge and the empirical skills needed to conceive and carry out independent scholarly investigation.

The PsyD program incorporates similar foundations of research and statistical competency and trains students to be discriminating consumers of research. All students must demonstrate an understanding of scientific inference, the knowledge and skills necessary for the formulation of hypotheses, the systematic gathering of data, and the selection of suitable quantitative methods for the analysis of data. Research competency includes knowledge of the techniques and methods of inquiry available to the professional psychologist. The dissertation is the highest competency-based product reflecting the development and application of these skills.

III. Practice-based competencies:

Students are expected to become practioners who demonstrate commitment to the intellectual and scholarly enterprise of psychology. They are expected to have knowledge about human behavior (normal and abnormal human development) including intrapersonal, interpersonal, small group and community or organizational behavior. Students are expected to demonstrate specific skills related to their specialty areas such as psychological diagnosis and assessment, intervention procedures and strategies, consultation, supervision and program development and evaluation. Beyond effective functioning in settings reflecting their chosen professional specialty, they must be able to demonstrate the application of their skills to a range of problems with sensitivity to multi-cultural and international issues.

Each student is required to develop competencies in working cooperatively with a range of groups including professionals, paraprofessionals and community groups or businesses which may vary in ethnic, socioeconomic, or other demographic dimensions. In addition, students develop skills that help them provide consultation and supervision to human service personnel.

Finally, graduates must demonstrate an understanding of and commitment to ethical standards of psychology as defined by the APA. They must be able to apply this orientation to their interpersonal transactions, specific problems in practice, teaching, and research. Graduates must manifest mature self-awareness, including demonstrated sensitivity to their own motivations and impact on others, especially clients and colleagues. In addition, they must demonstrate capacity for and commitment to self-review, continuing education and professional development.

Credit for Previous Graduate Work

For applicants to the CSFS Forensic Programs, a maximum of 30 units of graduate level transfer credit is allowed. The units must have been earned as part of a graduate degree curriculum in psychology, criminology, law, or other related field; however, completion of the degree is not required for transferring units. These credits must have been completed with a grade of “B” or better and must be from an accredited institution. No transfer credit will be allowed for courses that were taken more than seven years prior to admission.

Transfer credits may be denied for courses the California School of Forensic Studies considers central to our curriculum. Some of the courses that are NOT eligible for transfer credit:

• FOR 6425 Introduction to Forensic Psychology 
   
• FOR xx Any Psychological Assessment course
   
• FOR xx Any Clinical Practicum
   
• FOR xx Any Dissertation Proposal Development or Dissertation course
   
• Any course over seven years old

All other courses for potential transfer credit will be considered on a case-by-case review basis. Due to the interdisciplinary nature of the program, as well as the specialized focus of much of the curriculum, the review will focus on how well this interdisciplinary character was developed in the course(s) proposed for transfer credit. The degree to which the course content or field of study has changed substantively since the course was originally taken will also factor into the decision to allow transfer credit. Transfer credit cannot be considered without appropriate course outlines or syllabi.

Transfer credits allowed in the Forensic Psychology Program may reduce the number of units a student must complete in order to obtain the degree. Regardless of the number of transfer units allowed, a student must complete all requirements remaining in the program for which transfer credit was not allowed.

Deadlines for Transfer Credit Submission

All requests for transfer credit and supporting materials must be submitted as soon as possible upon admission into the program. Any delay in providing transfer credit requests or the supporting documentation may have a profound negative impact on your enrollment, your curriculum sequence and your tuition. The burden for timely submission is on the student.

Requests or supporting materials received by the Academic Advisor’s Office after the add/drop deadline of the student’s first semester of enrollment WILL NOT be considered for transfer credit.

Waivers for Required Courses

Students who are able to demonstrate a high degree of competence in a specific course subject and a mastery of any related tools may apply to waive the course requirement. Applications for waiver will be considered on a case by case basis by the Program Director and course faculty and will require proof of competency/mastery. The units for any waived course are not earned units and must be made up by taking electives or other courses.

Optional Non-terminal Master’s Degree

All Forensic Psychology doctoral students have the option to apply for a Master of Arts Degree in Forensic Psychology upon completion of a Master’s Thesis and specified coursework. See course information  section for detailed requirements.

Advancement to Doctoral Candidacy

Students will be considered for Advancement to Candidacy after meeting the following requirements:

• Completion of first two years of coursework (for 4-year programs) or three years of coursework (for 5-year programs) with a G.P.A. of 3.0 or higher
   
• Passing comprehensive examinations
   
• Preliminary oral defense of dissertation
   
• Demonstration of professional competency in practica
   
• No negative SERC (ethics committee) findings

Dissertation Defense Deadlines

Students are strongly encouraged to perform their preliminary dissertation defenses as early as possible in the semester in which they are due. All PsyD and PhD-Clinical track students are required to pass their preliminary dissertation defense prior to applying for internships. Internships applications are generally due very early in November. The absolute deadline for passing the preliminary defense is November 1st.

Students are also encouraged to be mindful of the quantity of other students attempting to set preliminary defense dates. Waiting until the last minute is ill-advised and could negatively impact your chances for an internship.

In addition, the California School of Forensic Studies mandates that students not be allowed to start their internships until a date is set for their final dissertation defense.

Licensure

Many forensic careers do not require licensure. Forensic psychologists who work in the legal and public policy arenas, for instance, or who apply research to solving problems in the justice system may not need clinical licensure. However, many students who enter the program may wish to seek clinical licensure after graduating from the program. All students who, upon graduation, plan to offer direct service to the public for a fee must be licensed by the state in which they practice. The PsyD and Clinical Track PhD programs are designed to meet many of the course requirements required for licensure in the State of California, among others. Students are responsible for ascertaining and meeting state licensing requirements.

All psychologists who offer direct services to the public for a fee must be licensed or certified by the state in which they practice. Each state has its own requirements for licensure. Therefore, it is essential that all California School of Forensic Studies PsyD and PhD students who plan to apply for licensure in states other than California contact the licensing board in the applicable states for information on state requirements (e.g., coursework, practicum and internship hours, supervision, nature of the doctoral project or dissertation). Students should plan ahead to ensure they meet all state requirements. In general, the CSFS doctorate enables a graduate to apply for admission to state psychology licensing or certification examinations once the graduate has completed any postdoctoral experiential requirements that individual states may impose.

Candidates for licensure as a psychologist are required to sit for an objective written examination. Individual state boards may also require an oral and/or essay examination for licensing. Many states (including California) require continuing education work as a criterion for re-licensure. Applicants for licensure in the state of California must hold an earned doctoral degree in psychology (or related field) from a regionally accredited or state-approved institution. They also must have completed 3,000 hours of supervised professional experience (of which 1,500 must be postdoctoral). 

For further information on licensure in California or other states contact:

Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards
P.O. Box 241245
Montgomery, AL 36124-1245
(334) 832-4580, asppb@asppb.org

California Board of Psychology
1422 Howe Avenue, Suite 22
Sacramento, CA 95825-3200

Office of Professional Affairs American
Psychological Association
750 First Street NE
Washington, DC 20002-4242

Doctoral Programs: Course Information

Course Requirements

Courses must be taken in-sequence, except electives and specialty topics without prerequisites, unless specific approval is granted by the Forensic Psychology Program Director.

All doctoral students are required to take a core curriculum that includes the following courses:

• Introduction to Forensic Psychology
   
• Legal Issues in Mental Health
   
• Psychopathology
   
• Research Design and Data Analysis
   
• Advanced Statistical Analysis
   
• Biological Bases of Behavior
   
• Cognitive-affective Bases of Behavior
   
• Professional Ethics
   
• Developmental Bases of Behavior
   
• Advanced Social Psychology

Each program also has additional specialized coursework and electives, as outlined by the program requirements listed below.

Course Prerequisites

Please see course descriptions  for information pertaining to course prerequisites.

Practicum Requirements

PsyD and PhD Clinical students are required to participate in a minimum of 1704 hours of supervised clinical practicum (field placement) training. Students are strongly encouraged to exceed the minimum standard as much as possible. For more information, please contact the Office of Professional Training on your campus.

Third year clinical practica for Fresno students will occur at the Psychological Services Center.

Practicum Prerequisites

With the exception of the Fresno programs*, the California School of Forensic Studies requires that all doctoral students complete their first year of course work with a GPA of 3.0 or higher prior to placement in a practicum (field work) setting. The first year of course work must include at least the following courses, as required by most practicum sites and the Office of Professional Training:

• Treatment I: Introduction to Therapy
   
• Ethical and Legal Issues in Professional Practice
   
• Psychopathology
   
• Psychological Assessment I: Cognitive and Intellectual Functioning
   
• Psychological Assessment II: Socioemotional and Personality Testing
   
• Introduction to Forensic Psychology

*Fresno students must have completed or be concurrently enrolled in the above listed courses, and have completed their first semester of coursework with a GPA of 3.0 or higher, in order to be eligible for practicum placement during their second semester.

Electives and Specialty Topics

Although the topics of electives vary from year to year, the following is a list of just some of the electives previously offered that exemplify the variety of training students may receive.

• Criminal Profiling
   
• US Court Systems
   
• Sex Crimes and Paraphilia
   
• Expert Witness Testimony
   
• When Law and Religion Collide
   
• Serial Offenders
   
• Terrorism
   
• Mental Health and Public Policy
   
• Justice Administration and Management

Specialty Topics focus on assessment, evaluation and/or therapeutic intervention with specific populations or clients within various forensic areas. Current topics that qualify for Specialty Topic units:

• Correctional Psychology
   
• Victimology
   
• Forensic Mediation and Dispute Resolution
   
• Treating Adult Offenders
   
• Abuse and Trauma Treatment
   
• Treating Adolescent Offenders
   
• Child Sexual Abuse
   
• Police Psychology
   
• PTSD and Complex Trauma
   
• Crisis Intervention
   
• Sex Offenders and Rehabilitation
   
• Psychopharmacology (Prerequisite: FOR7220)
   
• Disaster Psychology
   
• The Developmentally Delayed Offender
   
• Introduction to Family Court and Custody Evaluations
   
• Custody Evaluations II (prerequisite: Intro. To Family Court)
   
• Juvenile Dependency (child maltreatment) Court Evaluations

Fresno PsyD students are required to take a minimum of three (3) units from the above list.

LA, Irvine, SD, Sacramento students are required to take a minimum of five (5 units) from the above list

Any Specialty Topic course may be taken as elective units for any student

Master’s Thesis/Non-Terminal Master’s Degree

**This policy is under revision on the L.A., San Diego, Irvine and Sacramento campuses

All PhD students will be required to complete a Master’s Thesis prior to advancing to their third year, scheduling preliminary dissertation defense, or applying for internship.

All Forensic Psychology doctoral students have the option to apply for a Master of Arts Degree in Forensic Psychology upon completion of the following courses AND satisfactory completion of a Master’s Thesis.

1. Completion of 60 units of coursework at Alliant International University (9 units may be met by transfer credit)
    
2. Completion of the following courses (maximum of 9 units may be met by transfer credit)

3. Completion of the four following courses, according to degree program:

a. PhD-CLINICAL

b. PhD-POLICY & JUSTICE

c. PsyD

*** PsyD students may complete the Master’s Thesis research through Independent Study under a faculty advisor or they may enroll in the Master’s Thesis courses after satisfying the prerequisite requirements. Units related to the Master’s Thesis for PsyD students are over and above those required to complete the doctoral program.

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