Forensic Psychology is a dynamic and exciting career field bridging law and psychology. Welcome to the website of the first and largest Forensic Studies and Forensic Psychology doctoral program. 

Why the California School of Forensic Studies?

• Experienced, Expert Faculty. Many of our faculty are currently working with the court system and/or law enforcement organizations. Others are widely published in specific aspects of the field, and still others have years of experience as an expert witness.
• Strong Professional Field Training. Students have the opportunity to experience the practice of forensic psychology first-hand in a supervised setting. Practicum sites include: California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation facilities, L.A. County and USC Maternal-Child and Adolescent Center, Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall, Pasadena Rehabilitation Institute, Twin Towers Correctional Institute, and the Federal Correctional Institution at Terminal Island.
• CSFS International. Select students are sent to sites such as Rome or Pretoria, South Africa to learn from criminal psychologists, criminal profilers, forensic and law enforcement professionals in highly specialized programs.
• Conference Presentations. Significant opportunities for students to present at professional conferences such as: International Congress of Psychology and Law, International Neuropsychological Society, International Association of Forensic Mental Health Services, American Association of Forensic Psychology, and the American Psychological Association.
• Alliant Institutes. Includes the Sex Crimes and Paraphilia Institute, and the Homeland Security and Police Psychology Institute. Here, there are opportunities to interact with professionals in these fields, as well as to conduct, apply, and present research.
• Cutting-edge Curriculum. Courses are based not only on what is working well for forensic professionals now, but also on the latest research and its application in the field.

Welcome Message from Dean Eric Hickey

California School of Forensic Studies News

January 28, 2010-CSFS is proud to announce our new undergraduate degree completion program: a Bachelor of Arts in Forensic Behavioral Studies, at San Diego and Fresno campuses.

January 28, 2010- Fresno students Kate Warden and Brian Tesch have been accepted by APA to present posters at the 2010 convention in San Diego. Ms. Warden will present on Psychopharmacology and the Recurrence of Involuntary Commitment. Mr. Tesch will present on Police Knowledge and Utilization of Resources for Victims of Same-sex Domestic Violence.

January 15, 2010-San Diego student Martha Esquivel has papers accepted (Drs. Leark and Skidmore, co-authors) to the International Association of Forensic Mental Health Services Conference (Vancouver, BC-May 2010), and to the 3rd International Congress on Interpersonal Acceptance and Rejection (Padua, Italy-July 2010).

January 12, 2010-San Diego faculty Dr James Turner is a judge at the 20th annual Hostage Negotiation Team Competition in San Marcos, January 12-14. Over 250 law enforcement teams will participate.

January 6, 2010-Future Trends in Terrorism and Political Violence, by CSFS Faculty Dr. James T. Turner, in the Journal Behavioral Sciences of Terrorism and Political Agression. Vol. 2, Issue 1 Jan 2010.