Applicant Requirements

Applicants must have a Ph.D. in clinical or counseling psychology, or a Psy.D. in clinical psychology, from an APA or CPA approved graduate program (although there is some flexability if the program is in the process of accreditation). Applicants must have completed, or be currently completing, an APA or CPA approved pre-doctoral internship. Persons applying prior to completion of their graduate degree must provide firm evidence that the degree will be conferred prior to the start of the post-doctoral year (September 1). Completion of all requirements for the doctoral degree is required before beginning the program. Applicants need not have prior formal education or training in forensic psychology, although it is desirable to have enough forensic experience to allow the applicant to be making an informed decision about forensic psychology as a chosen career specialty.


Applications should include a letter, addressed to Dr. Packer, describing and articulating the following:

  1. applicant's interest in seeking specialized forensic training;
  2. applicant's experience working with seriously mentally ill adults;
  3. applicant's exposure to forensic populations;
  4. applicant's objectives, which should include a description of what the applicant would like to be doing professionally during the years following the fellowship.

This should be sent along with a completed Application form (Application Form)should be downloaded from this site, curriculum vitae and three letters of recommendation (at least one from the applicant's graduate program and one from the internship). In addition, the applicant should request that an official copy of the graduate school transcript be mailed to Dr. Packer at the address below.


Please do not include sample reports. Those applicants invited for interviews will be asked at that time to provide appropriate writing samples.

Applicants seeking answers to questions about the Program not addressed here may wish to contact Ira K. Packer, Ph.D. at: Ira.Packer@umassmed.edu


Dianne Williams at Dianne.Williams@umassmed.edu 
Ms. Williams can also be reached at: 508-856-5957.

The deadline for receipt of completed applications is 

January 29, 2010 (postmarked date) 

Applications should be sent to:

Ira K. Packer, Ph.D.

c/o Dianne Williams, Administrative Assistant

Department of Psychiatry, Forensic Psychology Training, WSH 8B2

University of Massachusetts Medical School

55 Lake Ave North

Worcester, MA 01655

In recent years we have  received about 30 applications per year. Applications are reviewed by a selection committee comprised of faculty. Typically we are able to ask 6-8 applicants to come for interviews during the first two weeks of March and our selection process is completed by the end of March.