2 Hours / 2 CEs

On Demand | Self-Paced Professional Training

This on-demand professional training program on Structured Professional Judgment and Racial Disparities in Risk Assessment is presented by Neil Hogan, PhD.

This program provides participants with an overview of the first empirical research studies evaluating racial disparities in structured professional judgment (SPJ) risk ratings. The program also identifies specific conceptual and theoretical vulnerabilities to racial biases within the SPJ approach to risk assessment, as well as the defenses of the system. 

By the end of the program, participants have an increased understanding of what is known and unknown regarding the strengths and weaknesses of the SPJ model as applied to diverse ethnocultural groups. In turn, participants can make more informed decisions about their own professional work and make informed defenses of SPJ risk ratings in adversarial settings (e.g., if testifying in courts of law).

There are no prerequisite training requirements, but participants may benefit from having prior familiarity with foundational risk assessment, and foundational SPJ trainings. This program is designed to be broadly applicable to persons who conduct, use, or are otherwise influenced by formal risk or threat assessments, across forensic mental health, correctional, policing, and related settings. 

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this training, participants will be able to:

  • 1 Describe specific vulnerabilities to racial bias within the SPJ approach to violence risk assessment
  • 2 Describe empirical findings related to racial disparities and SPJ violence risk ratings
  • 3 Describe defences of the SPJ approach to violence risk assessment, with respect to the potential for racial disparities

  • Intended Audience

    This training is intended for mental health and justice professionals who specialize in forensic mental health, risk assessment, or related applied psychology fields. It is particularly beneficial for those with prior familiarity with foundational risk assessment and Structured Professional Judgment (SPJ) trainings, and is most relevant for individuals working in forensic or applied psychology settings.


    Examples of Relevant Professionals:
    • Mental Health Professionals (e.g., psychologists, social workers, counselors)
    • Justice professionals (e.g., corrections officers, court personnel, law enforcement)
    • Forensic evaluators
    • Risk assessment specialists
    • Applied psychology practitioners in forensic contexts

  • Experience Level

    This training is appropriate for a range of experience levels in risk assessment and structured professional judgment (SPJ), from those new to the field to those with prior exposure.

    • Beginner: Participants with limited or no prior experience in risk assessment or SPJ will gain foundational knowledge about racial disparities and conceptual issues in SPJ risk ratings.

    • Intermediate: Participants with some background in risk assessment or SPJ will deepen their understanding of empirical findings, theoretical vulnerabilities to bias, and defenses of the SPJ approach in diverse settings.

    • Advanced: Participants with significant experience in risk assessment or SPJ will refine their ability to critically analyze complex case dynamics, evaluate algorithmic decision-making in forensic contexts, and integrate advanced strategies to mitigate bias and enhance defensibility in high-stakes evaluations.

  • Practice Setting

    Professionals apply SPJ-informed risk assessment in secure and community-based forensic environments, collaborating in high-stakes legal contexts to evaluate, manage, and communicate risk for diverse ethnocultural groups. Work includes assessment, case management, consultation, and defending risk opinions in adversarial forums where decisions affect public safety, liberty, and care.


    Examples of Practice Settings:
    • Forensic mental health clinics and hospitals (inpatient/outpatient)
    • Correctional facilities (prisons, jails) and custody health services
    • Probation, parole, and community supervision programs
    • Courts and specialized problem-solving courts
    • Law enforcement and public safety agencies
    • Threat assessment and behavioral intervention teams (campus, workplace, government)
    • Juvenile justice and youth forensic services
    • Policy, oversight, and review boards involved in risk decision-making

Presented By

Neil Hogan, PhD Adjunct Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Alberta

Dr. Neil Hogan is a Clinical Forensic Psychologist. He is an Adjunct Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Alberta, and a professional affiliate of the University of Saskatchewan, as well as the Director of a public sector Threat Assessment program. He has experience providing assessment and treatment services within various correctional, psychiatric, and community settings. Dr. Hogan oversees the education and certification of Threat Assessment professionals, and has provided training to various other groups including: prosecutors, parole board members, police, the judiciary, and other criminal justice professionals. He has published research articles pertaining to: violence risk assessment, policies related to sexual offending populations, the ethics of artificial intelligence in forensic practice, and the applicability of forensic services to historically understudied groups.

View More Programs from this Presenter
Neil Hogan, PhD

Training Outline

Key topics covered in this training include:

  • Basic risk assessment and structured professional judgment (SPJ) concepts

  • Controversy and empirical findings regarding racial disparities in risk assessment

  • New empirical findings related to racial disparities in structured professional judgment risk ratings as applied to Indigenous and non-Indigenous persons, using the HCR-20V3 and SARA-V3

  • Case studies and theoretical discussion to explain how racial disparities can arise and what their implications are for assessors and others impacted by formal risk assessments

CE Sponsorship Information

Palo Alto University, Continuing & Professional Studies (CONCEPT) is approved by, recognized by, or maintains sponsorship provider status with the following boards and agencies. We maintain responsibility for all content in our CE/CPD programs. For more information, visit here. 

  1. American Psychological Association (APA): Approved sponsor of continuing education for psychologists.

  2. Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB): Approved continuing education provider (ACE program, Provider #1480), 11/22/2023–11/22/2026.

  3. Canadian Psychological Association (CPA): Approved to sponsor continuing education for psychologists.

  4. National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC): Approved Continuing Education Provider (ACEP No. 7190).



Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT) is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT) maintains responsibility for this program and its content. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT), is approved by the Canadian Psychological Association to offer continuing education for psychologists. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT), SW CPE is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers #SW-0356 and the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed mental health counselors. #MHC-0073. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT) has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 6811. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. CONCEPT Professional Training, #1480, is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved as ACE providers. State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit. CONCEPT Professional Training maintains responsibility for this course. ACE provider approval period: 11/22/23-11/22/26. Social workers completing this course receive (clinical or social work ethics) continuing education credits.