NYU Grossman School of Medicine’s Forensic Psychiatry Fellowship is a full-time one-year program that trains fellows to become proficient in the practice of forensic psychiatry, including evaluations, report writing, courtroom testimony, and treatment in correctional settings.

Under the leadership of Catherine Mier, MD, program director, and Danielle Kushner, MD, associate program director, the fellowship features extensive training in forensic evaluations and treatment, as well as a didactic curriculum to ensure you are fully prepared to practice in an academic or clinical setting. The program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME).

Fellowship Rotations

We emphasize evaluation, report writing, research, and teaching at our wide variety of training sites. All supervised rotations are accessible by public transportation. Each rotation lasts ten to eleven weeks, except the Private Practice rotation that is 30 – 32 weeks.

Forensic Psychiatry Inpatient Service, Bellevue Hospital

This rotation on the jail unit at NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue helps fellows develop the knowledge necessary to treat incarcerated patients with acute mental illness who require an inpatient level of mental health care. Fellows will have the opportunity to testify in matters of treatment over objection and hospital retention.

Rikers Island Correctional Center

During this rotation at Rikers Island under NYC Health + Hospitals/Correctional Health Services fellows will learn about the management of mental health care in a large correctional setting. They will manage a diverse range of psychopathology on a specialized mental health unit and be exposed to other medical and mental health services across the Rikers Island jail complex. Fellows are invited to participate in ongoing quality improvement and research projects and attend New York City Board of Correction hearings.

Forensic Psychiatric Evaluation Court Clinics, Correctional Health Services

This rotation teaches fellows how to perform court ordered psychiatric competency evaluations of male and female criminal defendants and write forensic psychiatry reports for submission to the NYC courts and probation department. Fellows may be asked to testify in criminal court regarding the findings of their evaluations.

Kirby Forensic Psychiatric Center

During the Kirby Forensic Psychiatric Center rotation, fellows perform assessments, write comprehensive forensic reports and provide testimony on "not guilty by reason of insanity" acquittees to determine their current risk of dangerousness and appropriate level of treatment and oversight. Fellows also perform evaluations for treatment over objection and run two therapeutic groups a week.

Manhattan Assisted Outpatient Treatment Program

During training at this program, fellows learn how to perform comprehensive forensic examinations for men and women referred for court-mandated outpatient treatment pursuant to Kendra’s Law in New York State. Many of these cases will require fellows to testify before a judge regarding the findings of their evaluations.

The Private Practice of Forensic Psychiatry

This rotation teaches fellows about the private practice of general adult and child and adolescent forensic psychiatry. Fellows will perform evaluations, write reports, and observe faculty testimony in both criminal and civil courts. Cases may involve issues of child custody, juvenile justice, criminal responsibility, immigration issues, personal injury, or domestic violence, among others. Fellows will spend a half day per week for six months with faculty in local private practice.

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, and introduction to forensic research.

One day a week is dedicated to shared didactics with other New York City–area forensic psychiatry fellows. In addition, there is a half-day of didactics exclusively for NYU Langone fellows which occurs every other Friday morning.

In addition to these weekly didactics, fellows will attend a mental health disability law class at NYU School of Law. They will also participate in multiple mock trials sessions alongside law students and other fellows. Finally, fellows will participate in an individual scholarly project with a goal of academic publication or presentation.

Fellowship Eligibility Requirements

Each academic year, we offer five fellowship positions to qualified candidates who have completed an ACGME-accredited general psychiatry residency. We are committed to fostering a community that reflects the diverse populations we serve, valuing diversity in thought, experience, and perspective.

We seek mature, motivated individuals with strong writing skills, research experience, leadership potential, and a clear vision for their careers. Beyond qualifications, we prioritize assembling a well-rounded class of fellows who will thrive in and contribute to our dynamic academic and professional environment.

Fellowship Application Process

Starting July 2025, we will only accept applications through the Electronic Residency Application Service^® (ERAS^®). To learn more, please visit the ERAS fellowship application timeline

The core application includes the following items:

• curriculum vitae
• photo
• personal statement about your interest and experience in forensic psychiatry, as well as your specific interest in our program (one single-spaced page)
• 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 the following items:

• valid Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) certificate
• proof of visa status or U.S. citizenship

Letters of Reference and Dean’s Letter

Please submit three letters of reference, one of which must be from your program director if you are currently a trainee or graduated from training within the last five years. If you have not been in training in the past five years, a training director letter is not required.

Interviews

Interviews begin in mid-July. All application materials must be received before an interview offer is given. 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, which can be accessed here.

An offer of employment is not final until you are successfully credentialed by NYU Grossman School of Medicine’s Office of Graduate Medical Education. Learn more about terms of employment and our graduate medical education policies and services.

NYU Langone does not offer H-1B visa sponsorship for house staff, residents, or fellows, but J-1 sponsorship is available through the ECFMG.

Contact Us

For questions about our fellowship or recruitment process, please email Dr. Mier at Catherine.Mier@NYULangone.org or Dr. Kushner at Danielle.Kushner@NYULangone.org.

For more information about the application process, please contact Nyron Peat at Nyron.Peat@nyulangone.org.

If you would like to request an alumni verification for our Psychiatry Residency and Fellowship Programs, contact us at psycheduverifications@nyulangone.org. Alumni verifications are typically processed 7 to 10 business days from receipt of payment. Please send a check or money order, payable to NYU Grossman School of Medicine, for the $100 alumni verification fee to the following address:

NYU Grossman School of Medicine Department of Psychiatry One Park Avenue Room 8-241 New York, NY 10016 Attn: Residency/Fellowship Verification