Program Overview
Forensic Psychiatry Fellowship
The Forensic Psychiatry Fellowship at NYU Grossman School of Medicine is a full-time one-year program that trains fellows to become proficient in the practice of forensic psychiatry. The program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) and is led by Catherine Mier, MD, program director, and Danielle Kushner, MD, associate program director.
Fellowship Rotations
The fellowship features extensive training in forensic evaluations and treatment, as well as a didactic curriculum. The rotations include:
- Forensic Psychiatry Inpatient Service, Bellevue Hospital: This rotation helps fellows develop the knowledge necessary to treat incarcerated patients with acute mental illness.
- Rikers Island Correctional Center: During this rotation, fellows learn about the management of mental health care in a large correctional setting.
- Forensic Psychiatric Evaluation Court Clinics, Correctional Health Services: This rotation teaches fellows how to perform court-ordered psychiatric competency evaluations and write forensic psychiatry reports.
- Kirby Forensic Psychiatric Center: Fellows perform assessments, write comprehensive forensic reports, and provide testimony on "not guilty by reason of insanity" acquittees.
- Manhattan Assisted Outpatient Treatment Program: Fellows learn how to perform comprehensive forensic examinations for men and women referred for court-mandated outpatient treatment.
- The Private Practice of Forensic Psychiatry: This rotation teaches fellows about the private practice of general adult and child and adolescent forensic psychiatry.
Didactic Training for Fellows
The didactic core curriculum provides robust instruction on:
- Forensic evaluations
- Criminal law
- Civil law
- Mental health law
- Correctional psychiatry
- Ethics
- Child and adolescent forensic psychiatry
- Neuroscience in forensic psychiatry
- Introduction to forensic research
Fellowship Eligibility Requirements
The program offers five fellowship positions to qualified candidates who have completed an ACGME-accredited general psychiatry residency. The ideal candidate is a mature, motivated individual with strong writing skills, research experience, leadership potential, and a clear vision for their career.
Fellowship Application Process
Applications are accepted through the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS). The core application includes:
- Curriculum vitae
- Photo
- Personal statement
- One de-identified clinical or forensic writing sample
- Official medical school transcript
- Current medical license
- MSPE (formerly known as a Dean's Letter)
- Copy of medical school diploma
International applicants must also submit:
- Valid Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) certificate
- Proof of visa status or U.S. citizenship
Letters of Reference and Dean's Letter
Three letters of reference are required, one of which must be from the program director if the applicant is currently a trainee or graduated from training within the last five years.
Interviews
Interviews are conducted via Thalamus with a variety of faculty members and recent graduates. Opportunities to speak with current and recent fellows are also provided.
Offers
NYU strictly abides by the dates for making fellowship offers set forth by the ADFPF. An offer of employment is not final until the candidate is successfully credentialed by NYU Grossman School of Medicine's Office of Graduate Medical Education.