Michael Vitacco

Professor

Michael Vitacco

Professor

Academic Appointment(s)

School of Public Health
Department of Community & Behavioral Health Sciences

Bio

I earned my graduate degree in clinical psychology from the University of North Texas. I completed specialized training in forensic psychology from UNC and UMASS medical schools.

  • (706) 723-4396
  • Pavilion 3 - CJ2300

Education

  • Ph.D., Clinical Psychology University of North Texas, 2003

  • MS, Clinical Psychology University of North Texas, 2002

  • BS, Psychology, Other University of Wisconsin - Oshk, 1993

Certifications

  • PSYC 2011

Awards & Honors

  • Exemplary Teaching Award Medical College of Georgia, 2024

Courses Taught Most Recent Academic Year

  • MEDI 6220

    Cardiopulmonary/Heme
  • MEDI 6240

    GI/GU/Endocrine
  • MPHS 8400

    Social Behavioral Change
  • MEDI 6120

    Foundations of Medicine

Teaching Interests

My areas of teaching are focused on issues related to psychology and the law including violence risk assessment, feigning, social media, competency to stand trial, and the insanity defense. I also teach case-based learning to first-year medical students.

Scholarship

Selected Recent Publications

  • Insanity evaluations in the age of neuroimaging. , 2024
    Book, Chapter in Scholarly Book-New
  • Introduction to special issue on social media for forensic mental evaluations. , 2024
    Journal Article, Academic Journal
  • Neuroscience and the insanity defense: Trying to put a round peg in a square hole, 2024
    Journal Article, Academic Journal
  • Political bias in interpreting social media for forensic purposes: An introductory editorial essay. , 2024
    Journal Article, Academic Journal
  • The Internet is a scary place: How does evidence source and examinee race or ethnicity influence determinations of threat? , 2024
    Journal Article, Academic Journal

Research Interests

My areas of research include violence risk assessment, feigning, social media, competency to stand trial, and the insanity defense.

Department Service

  • Search Committee 2024 - 2024

    Role: Committee Chair