Forensic Fellowship

The Forensic Psychiatry Fellowship at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center offers a comprehensive training program that includes both theoretical and hands-on experience. The curriculum is designed to provide fellows with the knowledge and skills necessary to practice forensic psychiatry across a range of legal contexts, including criminal law, civil law, and correctional psychiatry.

1. Introduction to Forensic Psychiatry and Law
2. Criminal Justice
3. Types of Evidence
4. Civil Issues and Litigation
5. Special Issues in Forensic Psychiatry
6. Career Development

This comprehensive curriculum is designed to provide fellows with a robust foundation in both clinical and legal aspects of forensic psychiatry, preparing them for a variety of professional settings. The program includes detailed didactics, practical training, and research opportunities, as well as a focus on professional ethics and well-being.

View the curriculum here.

The fellowship provides exposure to a wide range of forensic evaluations, including both criminal cases, such as competency to stand trial and criminal responsibility assessments, and civil cases, including malpractice and involuntary hospitalization. Fellows rotate through various sites offering diverse clinical experiences, including correctional psychiatry at the Montford Unit (inpatient hospital) and Clements Unit (outpatient/telehealth). These facilities offer unique opportunities in emergency services and specialized treatment tracks, covering mood, psychotic, and impulse control disorders, neurocognitive conditions, seriously mentally ill populations, and an aggressive-mentally ill treatment program. The combination of structured education, hands-on forensic exposure, and diverse clinical experiences ensures that graduates of the Texas Tech fellowship program are exceptionally equipped for careers in forensic and correctional psychiatry.

Below is an outline of the key training settings and rotations:

• TTUHSC-MCM Montford Unit (Maximum Security Facility)
• Lubbock County Detention Center (LCDC)
• TTUHSC-MCClements Outpatient Clinic
• Lubbock County Juvenile Justice Center (LCJJC)
• Faculty Practice (Private Practice Setting)

Focus: Fellows will develop expertise in performing psychiatric evaluations in an inpatient correctional setting, where they will assess dangerousness, diagnosis, and treatment needs for individuals in custody.

Skills Developed:

• Psychiatric evaluations for civil commitment and involuntary mental health treatment.
• Treatment of correctional populations, including individuals with serious mental disorders.
• Assessment for forced medication and civil commitment.
• Testifying in civil commitment hearings.
• Providing consultation to healthcare professionals on psychiatric and medico-legal issues.

Focus: Fellows will gain experience in performing a wide range of forensic psychiatric evaluations in an outpatient correctional setting.

Skills Developed:

• Assessment of competency to stand trial, criminal responsibility, and violence risk.
• Preparation and submission of forensic psychiatric reports to courts.
• Multidisciplinary team collaboration for psychiatric treatment of individuals in custody.

Focus: Fellows will conduct psychiatric evaluations for individuals in a correctional outpatient setting, developing expertise in diagnosing mental disorders and assessing dangerousness in diverse patient populations.

Skills Developed: 

• Evaluation of dangerousness and psychiatric assessments for civil commitment.
• Multidisciplinary teamwork, including collaboration with healthcare professionals from various specialties.
• Work with a correctional team to address psychiatric needs of patients.

Focus: Fellows will conduct psychiatric evaluations for juveniles in an outpatient correctional setting.

Skills Developed:

• Diagnosis and treatment for juveniles, assessing dangerousness, and determining the need for psychiatric care.
• Psychiatric treatment of juveniles within a correctional context.
• Collaborating with a multidisciplinary team to provide comprehensive mental health treatment.

Focus: Fellows will develop skills in conducting forensic mental health evaluations in a private practice setting, learning the nuances of working independently and with attorneys.

Skills Developed:

• Expertise in forensic evaluations, including assessment of competency, responsibility, and risk.
• Testimony preparation and court appearances as an expert witness.
• Management of a forensic mental health private practice, including ethical and practical challenges.

Admissions Requirements

Application Procedures:

Applications will only be accepted through the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS) administered by AAMC beginning in July each year.

The National Resident Matching Program (NRMP) would like us to remind you that the application process in ERAS is separate from the NRMP matching process. In order to be ranked in the Match, you must register with the NRMP. 

*Due to the volume of applications we receive, we are unable to respond to an inquiry regarding application status.

Eligibility Requirements:

Applicants must have completed an ACGME-accredited General Psychiatry Program finalized before the fellowship start date.

• ERAS Common Application
• Curriculum Vitae (Current)
• A minimum of three (3) Letters of Recommendation (1 from each Program Director)
• Personal Statement
• Dean's Letter
• Medical School Transcript
• Milestone evaluations from the core residency program
• USMLE and/or COMLEX Transcripts
• ECFMG Certificate
• If applicable, any gaps in training or medical school should have an accompanying explanation
• Our Program can sponsor J1 Visas Only, must have ECFMG Certificate at interview

Interview:

Applications and Interviews will be held via Thalamus or other supporting platforms.

Salary

Salaries for 2025-2026 Training Year *These amounts are for the Lubbock Campus only

Summary of Fellow Benefits

• Employer-sponsored individual health and dental insurance at no cost to the fellow. Fellows can add additional family members at a low cost.
• Short and long-term disability
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Educational Leave - 5 working days for conferences or board exams
• Professional Development Funds 
• Professional Liability Insurance 
• Free covered garage parking at UMC and Covenant Health System
• Books, software, journals
• CME
• Financial support for board exam
• Department-sponsored lab coats
• Department financial support for research and publications
• Monthly meal card allotment at UMC
• Conference attendance