Forensic Mental Health (FMH) involves the integration and application of evidence-based research, theory and practice to provide information relevant to a legal question. It is a multi-disciplinary field that draws from and incorporates the language and theories of sociology, psychology, human services, law, and criminal justice. Our students are well versed in issues of behavioral health; addiction; family, juvenile and mental health law; and trauma-informed care. Accordingly, FMH graduates are equipped to span previously established barriers to the management and delivery of comprehensive services to persons with mental disabilities, co-occurring substance use disorders, and criminal justice system involvement. These professional “boundary spanners” provide specialized expertise across the many social systems that clients utilize. These include the systems of criminal justice, mental health, social services and substance abuse. The Forensic Mental Health curriculum at The Sage Colleges represents a multi-tiered continuum of learning that extends from recognition of evidence-based theory to simulation to practice. All students complete legal coursework in Legal Research (Intro to US Law), Family and Juvenile Law and Mental Health Law; clinical course work in Abnormal Psychology and in the Evaluation and Treatment of Adult Offenders and Court-Involved Youth; the inter-professional study of Victimology and Substance Abuse/Addictions; the sociological study of Research Methods; and the application of learning in a minimum 240-hour supervised externship. In addition to specific interdisciplinary knowledge, the curricular design addresses and fosters core competencies in cultural competence, values and ethics, professional communications, research, and teamwork.
