Forensic Psychology, Certificate

Rationale Guiding Our Programs

Forensic psychology is a unique discipline that requires careful and thoughtful knowledge of psychology and law applied to specific forensic issues affecting the lives of those who find themselves entangled with the legal system. It requires for those interested to become involved in forensic practice a careful acquisition of critical forensic knowledge likely to be at play in forensic assessments and court testimony. The St. John’s University Postdoctoral Certificate Programs recognize the importance of sequential knowledge to help create the necessary forensic mindset that begins with foundational information and further enriched and expanded by the material covered in the advanced programs in criminal and civil laws. It is the only university-based program that offers this sequential knowledge in forensic psychology where the contents covered in these programs are specifically organized to fulfill the didactic requirements for the Diplomate examination by the American Board of Forensic Psychology.

The forensic certificate programs are being organized by the Office of Postgraduate Development Programs working in close collaboration with St. John’s University’s Department of Psychology, Center for Psychological Services, and selected members of the legal community to offer a unique interdisciplinary program to train psychologists in court-related skills and techniques, how to conduct an efficient and proper forensic evaluation, how to prepare forensic reports, and how to testify in court.  

What to Expect From Our Programs?

The ideal candidate to apply to our program is one who is interested in pursuing a specialization in forensic psychology and interested in an interdisciplinary postdoctoral certificate program taught by a national and internationally known faculty. The program is delivered in a flexible in-person and/or virtual (synchronous) format through several long weekend sessions a year. It is an ideal learning structure for busy professionals who are interested in the following:  

• Acquiring new skills in forensic psychology, growing their practice, and substantially increasing their earning capacity. 
• Learning from our dynamic, experienced, interdisciplinary, and nationally-renowned faculty. 
• Becoming a more effective expert witness. 
• Completing a University-based Postdoctoral Certificate in Forensic Psychology through a flexible program of study. 
• Preparing for the didactic portion of American Board of Forensic Psychology's diplomate examination. 
• Getting continuing education credits for Psychologists approved by the APA and/or the NYSED as part of the forensic certificate fee. 

Special Offerings of Our Forensic Psychology Certificate?

Our programs are uniquely and specifically designed to provide a progressively more advanced exposure to specific forensic material, and include a mock trial where those involved in the advanced programs are given an opportunity to function as expert witnesses and work closely with practicing Judges and attorneys on the faculty of the programs.

• Foundational Postdoctoral Certificate Program
• Advanced Program in Criminal Law
• Advanced Program in Civil and Family Law