DOAR PSY 782 Externship

John Jay College of Criminal Justice and DOAR, Inc., are thrilled to announce an expanded partnership made possible through DOAR’s generous investment in the academic and professional success of John Jay student scholars enrolled in the PSYMA and the Psychology & Law PhD Programs. The newly established DOAR Trial Consulting Partnership Fund will advance students’ knowledge of the trial consultancy field and build a robust pipeline of graduate students who want to make trial consultancy and/or jury research their careers. As part of this partnership, one MA student will have the opportunity to complete their PSY 782 externship requirement at DOAR.

About DOAR: 

  • DOAR is one of the nation’s leading trial consulting companies, providing critical insight and strategic advice to lawyers at top-tier law firms and major corporations involved in high-stakes, complex legal disputes.
  • DOAR offers specialized services to assist attorneys/clients in communicating their cases most effectively—through research, visual storytelling, and strategic evidence presentation. This agency combines insights from psychology, law, and design to understand how jurors think, how evidence is perceived, and how stories are best told in the courtroom to drive better outcomes.
  • The field of trial consulting broadly involves 1) research pertaining to juries, trials, and decision making; 2) graphics design and consultation; and 3) strategic evidence presentation. 

Details and Eligibility: 

  • Eligible for: PSY 782 Fieldwork in Forensic Psychology
    • PLEASE CONTACT THE EXTERNSHIP OFFICE TO ENSURE ALL PREREQUISITES ARE MET TO BEGIN PSY 782: psychmaexternships@jjay.cuny.edu
    • You will need permission from the externship office to enroll in the PSY 782 course.
  • Total number of externship hours (Minimum 300 hours total): 300
  • Total number of direct supervision hours per week (Minimum 1hr/per week): 1+
  • Primary Supervisor: Natalie Gordon, Ph.D.
  • This is a hybrid externship position.

Externs will gain experience in one or more of the following areas: 

  1. Research pertaining to juries, trials, and decision making. Duties and responsibilities may include:
  • Attending mock trials and focus groups, creating surveys and questionnaires, and/or jury profiling
  • Assisting with data analysis and/or manuscript preparation
  1. Graphics design and consultation. Duties and responsibilities may include:
  • Developing an understanding of strategic and persuasive graphics in the legal context
  • Translating this understanding to assist in the design of visual aids (e.g., flowcharts, illustrations, or interactive exhibits) for use in legal proceedings
  1. Strategic evidence presentation. Duties and responsibilities may include:
  • Researching best practices for strategic evidence presentation
  • Assisting with the organization of evidence using empirically supported strategies 

Ideal Opportunity for those seeking:

  • Experience integrating social science research with practical trial strategy
  • Exposure to real-world cases and the litigation process
  • Mentorship from experienced trial consultants and design professionals
  • A deeper understanding of how jurors think and how stories shape courtroom outcomes
  • A future career in trial consulting or related fields

Application Requirements: 

  • Cover Letter demonstrating a clear interest in trial consulting
  • CV
  • Writing sample
  • Letter of Recommendation
  • Do not apply through InPlace. Please send your application materials in a single PDF document to DOARpsychlaw@jjay.cuny.edu
  • The subject line should read: Externship Application

Selection Process and Timeline: 

  • Applications are due by March 21st. No late applications will be accepted.
  • Select students will be invited to interview with John Jay faculty by 4/15/26.
  • Second and final round meeting will be held by DOAR supervisor by 5/1/26. Decisions by 5/15/26.
  • Externship will begin early September.